The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. This position is in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Apia, Samoa, which serves the Samoa Multi-Country Office (MCO) covering Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau. The incumbent reports directly to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and receives policy and technical guidance from the Development Coordination Office (DCO), in line with General Assembly resolution 72/279 on the repositioning of the UN development system.

Within delegated authority, the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO and Strategic Planner, will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Provides strategic guidance to the RC and UN Country Team (UNCT) on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF): • Leads and coordinates strategic support to the RC/UNCT in the development and implementation of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UNSDCF, ensuring alignment with national priorities and the 2030 Agenda. • Guides joint programming design and UN system-wide policy coherence in line with SDG priorities and national development frameworks. • Oversees UNSDCF coordination, monitoring, and reporting through UNINFO; leads the preparation of the annual UN Country Results Report. • Supports coherence across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts, as appropriate to the country context. • Facilitates linkages between RC system coordination mechanisms, including the Security Management Team (SMT) for operational compliance. • Ensure that the RCO schedules and monitors compliance to hold the Occupational Safety and Health Committee, and Business Continuity Plan exercises. • Create and manage share points for the Crisis Management Team working arrangements and the Humanitarian Country Team that can be agreed upon by the UNCT and utilized when required. 2. Leads external partnerships and joint resource mobilization for the UNSDCF: • Develops and implements the UN Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy. • Advises the RC on partnerships with national institutions, development partners, international financial institutions, regional organizations, the private sector, and civil society. • Coordinates joint programming processes and pooled funding mechanisms, including the SDG Fund, in support of the UNSDCF. • Provides oversight on communications and messaging related to UN cooperation priorities. 3. Oversees the Business Operations Strategy and promotes innovation in UN operations: • Leads collaboration with the Operations Management Team (OMT) to implement the UN Country Business Operations Strategy. • Promotes common services, back-office arrangements, and operational efficiencies among UNCT entities. • Encourages innovation and a client-focused culture in service delivery across the UNCT. 4. Promotes knowledge management and capacity development across and beyond the UN system: • Facilitates system-wide knowledge sharing and lessons learned across UN agencies and with external stakeholders. • Leads thematic learning activities and peer exchange related to strategic planning, results-based management, and SDG implementation. • Fosters collaboration with regional and global knowledge networks to improve coordination and impact. 5. Manages the overall functioning of the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO): • Oversees implementation of the RCO’s work plan and alignment with Pacific regional entities and multilateral coordination efforts. • Supervises RCO staff and promotes high performance, accountability, innovation, and teamwork. • Ensures compliance with UN policies and administrative procedures in coordination with UNDP, UNON and ESCAP. • Establishes and maintains a work environment that is inclusive, values diversity, and upholds the principles of the 2030 Agenda.