Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator

Update

This assignment supports the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Samoa Multi-Country Office to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The role is central to strengthening country-level coordination, regional engagement, and executive support for the Resident Coordinator, ensuring coherent UN system delivery aligned with national priorities and the UNSDCF 2023–2027.

The candidate will leverage their experience in interagency coordination, policy engagement, and advocacy to integrate human rights principles across programming and reporting. Their proven ability to draft high-quality briefs, talking points, and reports, manage high-level meetings, and coordinate with civil society and development partners will be critical for supporting UNCT processes and advancing partnerships. Skills in research and analysis, event organization, and communications campaigns will enhance the RCO’s capacity for evidence-based decision-making and public outreach. The role will have a particular focus on oversight and coordination of UN engagement in Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, ensuring alignment with national priorities and regional strategies. The assignment will also advance UN 2.0 transformation, embedding data-driven decision-making, digital solutions, innovation, strategic foresight, and behavioral science approaches into RCO workflows and UNCT coordination.

• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of UN programmes and projects; supports country-level planning and reporting aligned with the UNSDCF, with a focus on Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau; identifies issues, proposes corrective actions, and ensures follow-up.
• Provides strategic and technical inputs for policy integration, including human rights and gender equality principles; conducts research and trend analysis; and prepares evaluations and studies.
• Supports interagency initiatives, including international observances (e.g., UN Day, Human Rights Day, World Environment Day), and reporting on cross-cutting thematic areas (e.g., GEDSI, youth) to promote UN values and priorities.
• Supports donor coordination and partnership-building with civil society, NGOs, and development partners.
• Keeps the RC informed on matters requiring attention; assists in formulating options; and ensures follow-up, including priority issues emerging from Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.
• Assists the Head of RCO and Executive Associate in planning the RC’s schedule and missions; manages meetings and events; prepares notes for file and meeting minutes; and ensures integration of foresight and innovation principles in mission planning.
• Supports the RC’s communication efforts (both internal and external) in close collaboration with the RCO Communications Analyst and UN Communications Group.
• Facilitates communication and information flow between the RC/RCO and UNCT in close collaboration with the RC and Head of Office; ensures substantive preparation for UNCT meetings; drafts minutes; follows up on decisions; and supports coordination of UNCT engagements.
• Supports RC/RCO engagement with national and regional bodies, including CROP agencies, through dialogues and coordination platforms; liaises with focal points to ensure alignment with national and regional priorities.
• Supports anticipatory action and disaster preparedness in coordination with national authorities and humanitarian partners; and promotes integration of humanitarian principles and human rights across UN programming.
• Assists in humanitarian coordination and emergency response, including advocacy and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Backstops and supports the Human Rights Adviser Team on request, particularly relating to UNCT submissions to Treaty Bodies and UPR, in addition to other duties.
• Acts as RCO focal point and collaborates with Country Coordination Teams for Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau to ensure engagement is adequate, comprehensive, well-coordinated, and aligned with respective national and regional priorities.
• Promotes innovation and digital tools for coordination and reporting in line with UN 2.0 principles.
• Performs other responsibilities as required to support RCO priorities.