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 facts; determines actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, political science, public administration, finance, law, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience liaising with Member States, initiating, developing, and managing intergovernmental engagement, including through regional organizations is required. Experience advising on and/or supporting the engagement of seniors in intergovernmental forums is required. Field experience in the RC system, in UN development entities or partner organizations is required Experience and knowledge of the UN development coordination architecture, especially at the regional level, including the most recent reforms through the repositioning and the UN80 initiative is required Experience and proven capacity for strong, compelling communications (verbal and written), including report writing, and negotiation skills is required Experience at the headquarters of a development cooperation organization is desired. Team leadership and performance management experience is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This recruitment and any subsequent appointment remain subject to budgetary, classification, and intergovernmental approvals, including General Assembly approval, as applicable. Appointment against this post is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension, subject to legislative body funding availability. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Chief, Regional Coordination and Intergovernmental Affairs