Chief of Section, Programme Management (Partnerships)

In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. The Development Coordination office (DCO) exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system (RCS) 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 RCS 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. The position is located in the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division in DCO in New York and reports to the Director, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement. The Chief works closely with the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General and the SDG Coordination, Programme and Policy Division.

Within delegated authority, the Chief of the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Section will be responsible for the following: 1. Strategic partnerships • Leads the work of the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Section, advising the Director of the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division and driving DCO's strategy for the development, implementation and performance review of innovative partnerships that support the efforts of RCOs/UNCTs around the world to accelerate the 2030 Agenda. • Advises the United Nations Sustainable Development Group on issues relating to sustainable development partnerships for the 2030 Agenda and facilitates the work on these matters of relevant UNSDG working mechanisms, including the Global Compact and the UN Office of Partnerships. • Closely liaises with DCO Regional Offices to ensure effective support to RCs and UNCTs on partnerships for the 2030 Agenda and an effective policy-field feedback loop that contributes to inform UNSDG policies and guidance on these matters. • Works with other counterparts in the SDG Coordination, Policy, and Programme Division and elsewhere in DCO, particularly the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat, to ensure effective cross-team delivery and integrated partnership approaches to RCs and UNCTs. This includes building an innovation pipeline with partners (private sector, financial institutions, think-tanks, academia, foundations) to identify, test and scale solutions that accelerate SDG delivery and support RCO and UNCTs working on the partnerships and financing dimension of UN Cooperation Frameworks. • Uses UN 2.0 approaches to strengthen partnership intelligence, design and performance monitoring (data-informed partner mapping, digital engagement strategies, innovation scaling pathways, foresight-informed risk/opportunity analysis, and behavioral insights to improve partner uptake and results). • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action in all areas and at all levels with regards to partnerships. 2. Resource mobilization • Leads the work of the Section to ensure the resident coordinator system (RCS) is on the strongest possible financial footing for the performance of its functions. This includes accompanying the implementation of any decision made by the UNSDG and member states with regards to its funding model. • Gives strategic direction to the forging and maintaining of partnerships with current and prospective donors to the RCS, including the development and testing of innovative financing and partnership modalities with non-traditional donors and new actors, supporting scalable approaches consistent with UN 2.0. • In close cooperation with the DCO Brussels Liaison Officer, promotes the strongest possible strategic partnership with the European Union. • Ensures that the right systems are in place for forging, maintaining, and tracking contributions to the RCS (including online platforms, supporting negotiations of contribution agreements and related processes) and that DCO has tools and capacities to produce funding analytics, improve visibility of donor behavior, and identify pipeline opportunities. • Quality assures all substantive inputs in the preparation of position papers and reports on the funding of the RCS for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the ACABQ, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Leads DCO’s engagement with donor coordination mechanisms. • Leads the development of analyses of funding trends and resource mobilization efforts for system-wide resource mobilization matters of the UNSDG and related coordination mechanisms led by DCO. • Leads in engaging with relevant UN funding-related offices including the multi-partner trust fund office, the Central Executive Board (CEB) Secretariat, or DESA on funding trends and, in close liaison with RCs/UNCT and DCO regional offices, accompanies the implementation of any UNSDG or member states decisions to strengthen the pool funding architecture for the development pillar. • Leads on the roll-out and the implementation of the revised Funding Compact at the global level and supports country-level dialogues, in close coordination with DCO regional offices and elsewhere. • Ensures quality assurance in the preparation of key messaging and background materials on donor relations and sustainable development issues. Leads in the preparation of Resident Coordinators’ engagement with donors, ensuring alignment with DCO’s strategic objectives and priorities. Other corporate responsibilities • Manages outreach activities focused on partnerships and resource mobilisation; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Leads capability-building to mainstream UN 2.0 skillsets across teams (data literacy, digital collaboration, innovation methods, foresight, behavioural insights) relevant to partnerships and resource mobilization. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries. • Performs other related duties, as required

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANISING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. 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.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in international development, managing partnerships and resource mobilization is required. Field experience in development cooperation involving partnerships and resource mobilization is required. Experience in the use of digital and other technology-based tools and approaches to partnerships is desirable. Experience in managing large multicultural teams at the country, regional or global levels and working in matrix relationships across these levels is desirable. Experience working at the headquarters is desirable. Experience in policy formulation in a development cooperation context is desirable. Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience with inter-agency or inter-organizational collaboration in the development sector is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

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

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 of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. 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.

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.

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