SENIOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is within the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Dakar, Senegal, supporting the UN's global reform to effectively achieve the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. The role provides strategic coordination and planning expertise to facilitate inter-agency collaboration and integrated programming in the Sahel and Horn of Africa/IGAD regions.

Job Purpose

The Senior Strategic Planning and Coordination Officer is responsible for providing strategic coordination, planning expertise, and operational oversight to enhance inter-agency collaboration, integrated analysis, and programming. This role supports the achievement of sustainable development results in the Sahel and Horn of Africa/IGAD regions, advancing the 2030 Agenda. The incumbent will guide UN Country Teams and coordinate strategic planners, offering management support on key development priorities such as food systems, education, energy transition, and humanitarian-development collaboration. The position also focuses on fostering cooperation with humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts, advising on risk-informed development, and supporting resource mobilization strategies, including the design and financing of flagship initiatives and investment platforms.

Responsibilities

Steer strategic planning, coordination, and partnership-building for integrated national, cross-border, and cross-regional UN interventions, supporting the implementation and financing of Flagship Programmes in the Sahel and the design of investment-ready initiatives in the Horn of Africa/IGAD region. Provide strategic advice to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams on sustainable development, integrated programming, financing strategies, partner engagement, and resource mobilization. Offer expert advice on food systems, education transformation, energy transitions, stabilization, and humanitarian-development-peace collaboration. Conduct analysis and research on development emergencies to inform UN leadership and identify opportunities for inter-agency assistance and joint actions. Promote coherence across national, cross-border, and regional initiatives by identifying opportunities, risks, financing entry points, and strategic partnerships. Present recommendations to strengthen integrated approaches and scale up joint planning and programming efforts.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, and programme development/management within development cooperation or crisis management is required. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination in crisis settings, managing multidisciplinary teams, and providing emergency support is also required. Experience with senior UN officials, peacebuilding programming, and financing is desirable.

Skills

Strategic Planning, Sustainable Development, Policy Development, Programme Management, Multi-stakeholder Coordination, Team Management, Crisis Management, Research and Analysis, Partnership Development, Resource Mobilization, Leadership, Judgment, Decision-Making, Client Orientation.

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