Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator (SARC) Programme
Objectives
The Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator (SARC) Programme was initiated in 2003 and aims at supporting UN coordination in the field through the strengthening of the Resident Coordinator function.
Special Assistants assist in the coordination of activities emanating from the Resident Coordinator Office, including support to enhancing interagency cooperation and strengthening the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) processes. The Special Assistants are placed in the Office of the Resident Coordinator, and work directly under his/her supervision.
The Programme is implemented within the framework of UNDP's Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme. The Special Assistants are experienced young professionals (in many cases former JPOs) recruited at the L3-level to provide support to the Resident Coordinator.
The SARC Programme was initiated with the support of the Danish Government. The Swedish government decided to join the Programme in 2005. Experience indicates that the Programme has made a significant contribution to the implementation of UN reform at country level. It has been successful in providing experienced and talented young professionals, who each have made a strong contribution towards strengthening of the Resident Coordinator function.
Results
During 2006, 14 Special Assistants were assigned to the Resident Coordinators in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Europe. In general, the Special Assistants contributed to enhancing UN coordination through provision of high-level support to the Resident Coordinator, including facilitation of the initial processes leading up to the One UN pilots; facilitation of UNDAF/Common Country Assessment (CCA) processes; facilitation and coordination of joint UN programmes, including the joint UN Avian Influenza Programme; and elaboration and coordination of joint UN communication strategies and coordination of MDG campaigns.
In Zambia, the Special Assistant contributed to enhancing communications and coordination among the UN, through the elaboration of the first UN Communications Strategy, establishment of the joint UN Website for Zambia, and coordination of MDG advocacy campaigns.
In Viet Nam, the Special Assistant contributed to building a strong Resident Coordination Support Team, and facilitated the initial process for the One UN pilot in Vietnam. The Special Assistant also coordinated the preparation of the UN MDG Campaign in Vietnam, which by the use of innovative communications efforts, was successful in reaching out to a broad audience.
In Nicaragua, the Special Assistant facilitated a highly participatory CCA/UNDAF process and contributed to strengthening the coordination of upstream policy debates and dialogue among key development stakeholders through functioning as the secretariat for donor roundtables and coordination.
In Liberia, the Special Assistant contributed to the coordination of the UNDAF process, and produced new information products to enhance the communication of the One UN in Liberia.
In Cambodia, the Special Assistant contributed to enhancing communication and coordination systems among UN agencies, through among other things creating the UN intranet in Cambodia and coordination of the joint UN Programme on Avian and Human Influenza. The latter demonstrated a joint UN approach and resulted in increased allocation of resources.
In Albania, the Special Assistant supported the initial process towards the implementation of the One UN pilot in Albania, and coordinated joint programmes of the UN agencies, including the Avian Influenza Programme.
The Danish Special Assistant Programme
Candidates for the Special Assistant Programme are between 30 and 36 years of age and hold a Master's degree in international relations, international development studies, development economics, social sciences, law or another relevant Master degree. Candidates should have a minimum of three to five years of relevant work experience and be fluent in English and possess working knowledge of another UN language.
Danish Special Assistants are recruited at the L3-level, and have same entitlements as JPOs. The duration of their assignment is three years.
The Swedish Special Assistant Programme
Candidates for the Special Assistant Programme are between 30 and 38 years of age and hold a Master's degree in international relations, international development studies, development economics, social sciences, law or another relevant Master degree. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, including three to five years of working experience preferably from developing countries. Candidates should be fluent in English and possess working knowledge of another UN language.
Swedish Special Assistants are recruited at the L3-level, and have same entitlements as JPOs. The maximum duration of their assignment is three years.
Learning and Networking
All Special Assistants are invited to participate in the UN Resident Coordination Officers' workshops, which are organized annually by the UN Development Operations Coordination Office (UNDOCO).
In addition, Special Assistants take part in the global UN coordination network, which also serves as a continuous learning tool. Special Assistants also have the opportunity to take part in other global, regional or country level learning events addressing core areas of their assignments.
How to become a Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator?
SARC positions are advertised on the websites of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Sweden, as well as in relevant local media. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Sweden will shortlist candidates, which are qualified for the positions, and the final selection will be made by UNDP.
Contact Persons
For more information on the SARC Programme, please contact Ms. Lykke Andersen, Manager, UNDP JPO Service Centre, and Ane Katrine Havsteen, Human Resources Associate.