Resident Coordinator (Sri Lanka)

Organizational Context

The UN Resident Coordinator system, established by General Assembly resolution 72/279, ensures coordinated UN development activities at the country level. The Resident Coordinator (RC) is the UN's highest-ranking representative, leading UN Country Teams and ensuring accountability for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the 2030 Agenda. The RC reports to the Secretary-General and the host government, focusing on sustainable development and poverty eradication.

Job Purpose

The Resident Coordinator (RC) serves as the highest-ranking UN development system representative at the country level, leading UN Country Teams to implement the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and advance the 2030 Agenda. The role involves representing the UN, fostering partnerships with government, civil society, and the private sector, and advocating for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The RC coordinates UN system-wide support, mitigates risks, supports agency-specific goals, and promotes UN Charter values, human rights, and gender equality. This includes engaging diverse stakeholders, advancing regional collaboration, leveraging UN expertise, and overseeing country financing instruments. The RC also leads strategic communication, ensures security coordination when appointed Designated Official, and promotes PSEA strategies. In humanitarian contexts, the RC coordinates response efforts and links humanitarian and development programming. In conflict settings, the RC integrates UNCT work with peacekeeping missions.

Responsibilities

Represents the UN at the highest levels, engaging government, civil society, and partners to advance the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. Leads the UN Country Team in developing, monitoring, and implementing the UN Cooperation Framework. Coordinates system-wide UN support, identifying and mitigating risks to SDG achievement. Catalyzes and advocates for UNCT member agencies' work. Coordinates context analysis, including Common Country Analysis, and shares findings. Promotes UN Charter values, human rights, gender equality, and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind. Forges strategic partnerships with diverse national and sub-national entities. Advances regional knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Leverages UN system expertise to improve shared results and address SDG gaps. Provides oversight for country financing instruments and pursues funding for joint UN efforts. Leads engagement on the UN's normative agenda and supports national capacity development. Fosters an enabling environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Facilitates access to resources for innovation in financing and technology. Leads strategic communication to promote the 2030 Agenda and UN collective results. When appointed Designated Official, ensures country-level security coordination. Promotes staff learning and policy implementation, including PSEA prevention and gender parity. Manages dual reporting systems for UNCT contributions to the Cooperation Framework. Advances country-specific measures for UN common business operations. In humanitarian contexts, leads and coordinates response efforts and links humanitarian and development programming. In conflict settings, integrates UNCT work with peacekeeping missions.

Work Experience

Over 15 years of international leadership experience is required, including at least five years in development, human rights, rule of law, peace-building, or humanitarian work at the country level outside one's own country. Previous Resident Coordinator experience is mandatory; senior-level inter-agency coordination experience may substitute. Experience in managing multi-sectoral humanitarian programs and advocacy at the country level is desirable.

Skills

Leadership, coordination, representation, partnership building, strategic planning, advocacy, risk management, analysis, communication, security coordination, inter-agency collaboration, human rights, gender equality, PSEA prevention, financial oversight.

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