The Secretary-General's reform process initiated in 1997 stressed the need to achieve a greater unity of purpose and coherence in country-level operations of the UN system, highlighting the need to strengthen the Resident Coordinator System and promoting a more united UN presence at the country level.
The Resident Coordinator system (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. Resident Coordinators, who are funded and managed by UNDP (and often the Resident Representatives of the UNDP Country Office) lead UN country teams in more than 130 countries and are the designated representatives of the Secretary-General for development operations. Working closely with national governments, Resident Coordinators and country teams advocate the interests and mandates of the UN drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family.
Resident Coordination in South Africa
In South Africa, the Resident Representative of UNDP also acts as the UN Resident Co-ordinator, facilitating and coordinating the United Nations operational activities in South Africa. The Resident Coordinator Unit housed within UNDP supports the Resident Coordinator in the duties and responsibilities listed above.
There are 14 UN agencies and programmes represented in South Africa with offices in Pretoria. The Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the International Finance Corporation, also have offices in Gauteng. Most of the UN agencies are housed in the UN House located in Pretoria. Substantially, three Thematic Interagency groups (HIV/AIDS, Integrated Sustainable Rural Development and Regional Integration) ensure coordination.
Mr. Agostinho Zacarias is the new United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for South Africa. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Zacarias held the same positions in Zimbabwe.
A national of Mozambique, Mr. Zacarias taught International Relations and African Politics at the London School of Economics, University of the Witswaterstrand, South Africa and the Higher Institute of International Relations, Mozambique.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the Resident Coordinator
- Advocacy for the United Nations System
- Operational Coordination
- Management Coordination
- Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance
- Annual Reporting, Appraisal and Hiatus Arrangements
Dr. Zacarias Resume
Dr. Agostinho Zacarias is currently the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa. Prior to his appointment he held a similar position and that of Humanitarian Coordinator in Zimbabwe (2005 to 2009).
From 2003-2005 He was the Director of the Office of Secretary General's Special Adviser on Africa. From 2002-2003, He was the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Mission in Angola. From 2001-2002 He was the Principal Officer at the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa and from 1999-2001 was the UNDP Senior Adviser on Governance.
Prior to joining the United Nations Dr. Zacarias held academic and diplomatic positions. These include: the Vice-Chancellor of the Higher Institute for International Relations, Director of Centre for Strategic Studies, Visiting Professor at the University of Princeton, Lecturer at the London School of Economics and at the Universities of the Witiwatersrand, Eduardo Mondlane in Mozambique. He also held positions of Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Mozambique and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research Fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies
Dr. Zacarias holds a Ph. D from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has published a lot in Development and Security Studies. His books include: Rethinking Strategies for Southern Africa, the United Nations and International Peace Keeping and Security and the State in Southern Africa.
Resident Cordinator Report 2010