| Overview : The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development. The RC leads the Country Team (UNCT), which is composed of representatives of all the UN entities with a presence in the country. Working closely with the Government of Namibia and with the support of the rest of the Country Team, the RC coordinates the UN agencies that make up One UN, advocating for the mandates of the whole UN system, towards accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the highest UN Official and representative of the UN Secretary General at the country level, the RC coordinates and provides leadership in strategy development, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of development programmes as outlined in the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF 2019 -2023) aligning with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The RC advances the Delivering as One (DaO) Standards of Operating Procedures (SOPs) so that the UN coordination system is empowered to deliver results together. The RCO (Resident Coordinator’s office) supports the role and functions of the UNCT through shared global, regional and country level vision, norms and standards, capacities and operating protocols to deliver together more coherent, effective and efficient support to globally, regional and nationally agreed goals and priorities. To do this, the RC system focuses on leveraging the leadership, policy and practices, and diverse expertise across UN development entities, to work together towards this common end, of improving the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the UN’s contribution to development results. The leadership role of the RC in driving the UNDS operational activities for development at the country level is captured in the six core functions of the RC including: i. Ensuring coordination of UNDS operational activities for development, creating a platform for coordinated delivery, and promoting the development of national capacities. ii. Supporting the Government, at the latter’s request, in its coordination of all types of external development and technical assistance (including from the UNDS). iii. Ensuring effective advocacy of human rights and other UN values, norms, standards, principles and activities on behalf of the UNCT with the highest level of Government. iv. As Designated Official, where applicable ensuring effective coordination of country-level security and the safety of all UN staff and dependents and leading the inter-agency Security Management Team. v. Encouraging and supporting national efforts in disaster risk reduction. vi. Finally, if international humanitarian assistance is required and a separate HC position is not established, the RC takes on the role of Humanitarian Coordinator, leading and coordinating response efforts of the UNCT and other relevant humanitarian actors. Additionally, the RCO provides support to the RC/UNCT’s roles and efforts in coordinating the work of the UN system at the country level. The office works in close collaboration with the UN programme and operations teams of the Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful implementation of UNCT activities. The RCO also acts as a first port-of-call to provide services and support to the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) and other stakeholders such as the Private Sector, Academia, International Finance Institutions, Civil Society Organisations and other Development Partners. The year 2020 marks the beginning of the Decade of Action to accelerate implementation and deliver the SDGs by 2030. As part of its functions, the RCO 1 ) Plans, facilitates and consolidates evidence-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UN Country Team (UNCT) of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries; 2) Provides substantive advice on innovative socio-economic and SDG policies to Resident Coordinators (RC) and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in Government and other relevant partners; 3) Coordinates the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs; 4) Plans and directs SDG knowledge generation and management, and capacity building Namibia, prior to COVID-19 was facing a suppressed economy alongside the twin challenges of inequality, unemployment and poverty. Austerity measures resulting from constrained fiscal space to respond and recover from COVID-19 have forced policy makers in all countries to think innovatively about all available options to finance development. For Upper Middle-Income Countries (UMICs) such as Namibia, this has not been a straightforward process due to this country categorization, hampering its ability to invest in social outcomes. In this context, the UN System in Namibia seeks the services of a consultant to add to the knowledge base of positing Namibia as an UMIC. | 
