Chief, Regional Coordination and Intergovernmental Affairs

### Org. Setting and Reporting In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the Resident Coordinator (RC) system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a comprehensive organizational recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda in its final years and fully embodies the UN 2.0 shift—anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission driven organizational culture. This position is located in the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in New York. The incumbent is based in DCO's Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division, managed by and reporting to the Director, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division. The Chief provides strategic leadership to the Intergovernmental and Regional Liaison Section within the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division. The role has a strong interface with the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General as well as with DCO’s regional teams. ### Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Chief Intergovernmental Affairs will be responsible for the following duties: Intergovernmental engagement • Leads the development, implementation and performance review of differentiated engagement strategies with Member States in support of the RC system and DCO’s development coordination mandate. • Coordinates and facilitates engagement with relevant sections in DCO, Regional Directors, and Resident Coordinators, to promote their contribution and understanding of intergovernmental procedures, maintain awareness of Member States’ decisions and positions, and synchronize their messaging. • Oversees and strengthens DCO’s systems for strategic monitoring and analysis of deliberations in UN intergovernmental bodies related to its mandate, including the General Assembly and ECOSOC through establishing trusted relationships to support informed intergovernmental outcomes. • Develops the necessary systems for tracking emerging trends and priorities identified by Member States and for mapping and following up on the implementation of DCO's mandates provided by Member States through the GA QCPR and ECOSOC resolutions. • Oversees the preparation of timely and high-quality analysis, briefings and background notes to assist DCO Senior Management as they engage with Member States. • Leads, with guidance from the divisional director, collaboration with officials within the UN Secretariat, including EOSG, and supports close coordination with the Office of the ASG to ensure coherence. • Contributes to the preparation and drafting of DCO's reports and presentations to the Deputy Secretary-General and UN bodies, including the General Assembly (Plenary, Second and Fifth Committees), ECOSOC, and ACABQ. Regional liaison • Leads the support to the regional architecture of the UN development system, including through the coordination of the internal DCO working group composed of DCO HQ colleagues and DCO regional Teams Leaders, and support to the implementation of relevant UN80 initiatives. • Prepare all inputs required pertaining to the regional portfolio in the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, in briefing materials, as well as contribute to ACABQ preparations and audit requests on the topic. • Supports DCO's back-office function for the Deputy Secretary-General in his/her capacity as Chair of the Regional Collaborative Platforms (RCPs), particularly in the preparation of the annual meeting of the RCPs chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General, and their annual workplans and reports. • Supports the planning of evaluations of the UN development system regional architecture and provides regular analysis on its focus and performance as it evolves over time, supporting cross-regional learning and standardization. • In coordination with DCO’s Regional Offices, provides strategic direction and day-to-day management to a team of Regional Liaison Officers tasked with responding to EOSG and DCO’s Senior Management requests related to the countries under their regional purview. • Supports initiatives at the regional level to foster subregional and regional strategies. • Undertakes other tasks and responsibilities as needed to support the effective functioning of the team and the achievement of organizational objectives. ### Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to intergovernmental affairs, including the relevant intergovernmental platforms. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. JUDGMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against f