Organization Mission

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The RC system aims to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level.

Context

Located in the Central Sahel, Burkina Faso is a Least Developed Country (LDC) with a population of around 25 million, of whom some two-thirds are under the age of 25. The country is responding to major security challenges posed by Islamist terrorist groups, and is adapting to the effects of climate change and desertification in particular. Approximately 80 percent of the working population is involved in agriculture/food systems. Mining activities constitute the largest share of export earnings, with gold an important source of revenue. As of 2025, the economy is growing at around 4.5 percent per year, and debt levels are considered sustainable.
In 2024, the UN System implemented US$235.3 million in development assistance in Burkina Faso. Further, entities in the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) supported delivery of US$430.4 million in humanitarian aid.
UN development and humanitarian activities in Burkina Faso take place in a global aid environment in which Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell 9 percent in 2024, and is projected to fall up to 17 percent in 2025. Further, they take place in the context of a series of the 2024 Pact for the Future, an ambitious plan to reinvigorate multilateralism to address the world’s greatest challenges, agreed by Member States. Last, the UN’s work in Burkina Faso responds to a series of UN System reform initiatives, which include the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative; ‘The Humanitarian Reset’, led by the Emergency Relief Coordinator; UN 2.0 and the Quintet of Change, and the Secretary-General’s United to Reform agenda.
The UNCT in Burkina Faso comprises a total of 32 Agencies, of which 24 are resident. The UN System employs 1,256 personnel in Burkina Faso.
In this broader context, the National Specialist will offer partnerships expertise to the RCO and UNCT as it supports national partners in “domesticating” the Pact for the future in Burkina Faso and implementing (a selection of) its 56 Actions.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the RCO Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, the National Specialist UN Volunteer (Partnerships for the Pact for the Future) undertakes the following tasks:
1. Identifies entry points for national stakeholders to engage with and advance the objectives of the Pact for the Future:
• Matches/maps components of national policy frameworks to the provisions (56 Ac-tions) of the Pact for the Future
• Matches/maps the actions of licensed/registered CSOs and NGOs to the provisions (56 Actions) of the Pact for the Future
• Matches/maps the actions of the Private Sector (represented by COGEF/other) to the provisions (56 Actions) of the Pact for the Future.
2. Formulates an advocacy and communications workplan for the UNCT and UNCG for effective communications on the Pact for the Future
• Builds on ‘matching/mapping’ exercise (above) to formulate key messages and advo-cacy points for the advancement of the Pact for the Future
• Works with the UN Information Centre in Burkina Faso and with the UNCG to develop tailored communications and advocacy products to reach (a) Government; (b) NGOs/CSOs and (c) the Private Sector.
• Tracks reach/engagement levels attained with the communications products.
3. Organizes dedicated Pact for the Future events
• Identifies lessons from the Government-organized ‘Pact for the Future’ workshop (Koudougou, June 2025)
• Engages UNCT to support organization of an inclusive Pact for the Future event
• Engages the UN Youth Office (ASG Paullier) to engage youth in the Pact for the Future event
• Delivers an inclusive, multi-stakeholder Pact for the Future event in Ouagadougou to advance its objectives, with a particular focus on youth.
4. Supports the domestication of the Pact and engagement with the Government
• Collaborates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to advancing the implementa-tion of the Koudougou seminar recommendations of the Pact for the Future, fostering dialogue among government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
• Develops tailored advocacy and communication materials in partnership with MOFA to amplify the seminar”s outcomes and disseminate key messages to a broader national audience.
• Partners with the Ministry of Youth to co-design capacity-building workshops aimed at empowering young people to actively engage in the implementation of the Pact for the Future based on the results of youth consultations conducted during the celebration of youth day.
• Organizes a multi-stakeholder youth forum, with support from the Ministry of Youth, to promote inclusive participation and generate innovative solutions aligned with the Pact for the Future’s objectives.
• Establishes ongoing coordination mechanisms with both MOFA and the Ministry of Youth to monitor progress, gather feedback, and adapt actions to changing needs and opportunities.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum experience: 3-5 years experience in international development, community-based service provision, community-based private enterprise, humanitarian assistance or civil society.
Skills and experience description

• Skilled, proficient communicator;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive;
• Self-motivated problem-solver, ability to work independently, with periodic supervision;
• Outstanding computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office applications;
• Ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Good oral and written skills;
• Have affinity with or interest in sustainable development.

Core Competencies

Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Client Orientation
Commitment and Motivation
Communication
Creativity
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Working in Teams

Living Conditions

UN staff in Burkina Faso, including UNVs, are subject to UNDSS security advice at all times of the assignment.
Security advice notwithstanding, Ouagadougou offers an extensive range of cultural, social, dining, retail and sporting activities for visitors and residents. The city and its inhabitants are welcoming to visitors. Service provision (restaurants, transportation, banking, communications) is of high quality and easily accessible to non-nationals. The city offers a range of living/accommodation options, ranging from hotels through to self-contained villas and apartments, and hybrid options such as shared-living arrangements with hosts in guesthouses. Taxis are affordable and can be called by phone or hailing app. The city has a significant expatriate community, associated both with business interests and with the international aid/development community, itself including diplomats and NGO professionals.