The UN Resident Coordinator Office
The UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
Mr. Simon Springett was appointed by the UN Secretary-General as UN Resident Coordinator (RC) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean on June 1 2024. He brings his distinguished 25-year career in international development to the critical role of UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Most recently, Mr. Springett served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova since 2019, leading the UN's efforts in that country.
As the highest-ranking official of the UN development system in the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Springett will lead the UN Sub-regional Team (UNST) across 10 countries and territories. He will champion the UN's mandates and advocate for the delivery of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDCF) in close collaboration with national governments and regional institutions. A key focus will be strengthening cooperation and effectiveness of UN operational activities throughout the region.
Prior to his leadership role in Moldova, Mr. Springett served as Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Director for Response Operations at the UK Department for International Development / Palladium. His background includes serving as both UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mauritius and Seychelles. He also held senior leadership positions with Oxfam, specializing in rapid humanitarian responses. Mr. Springett holds a Master of Science in Development Practice (Humanitarian Protection) from Oxford Brookes University.
In addition to his development expertise, Mr. Springett will also serve as the Designated Official (DO) for Security, ensuring the safety and security of all UN personnel and their dependents in the region.
The Resident Coordinator’s Office
As the highest-ranking representative of the Secretary-General at the country level, the Resident Coordinator leads the UN Sub-Regional Team for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean to “deliver as one” on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for all.
System-wide global UN Reform, that became effective January 1, 2019, saw the strategic repositioning of the UN Development System to include the separation of the posts of UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative. The General Assembly Resolution 72/279 was geared to make the UN a more relevant and effective partner, through the leadership of an independent and empowered Resident Coordinator, equipped to deliver on the promise of a sustainable future for both people and planet.
Within this context, the Resident Coordinator Office supports joint programming and the coordination of development activities across the UN System, to maximise impact and reduce transaction costs for Governments, in response to national priorities and development challenges. These efforts support of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and other international commitments aimed at "leaving no one behind”.
The Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF) 2017-2021 serves as the framework for articulating the UN’s work in the region.
The Resident Coordinator’s Office – Multi Country Office
As a Multi-Country Office, the RCO, through the hub in Barbados, provides coordinated and strategic programming support through officers responsible for five core areas of expertise
1) Strategic Planning
2) Economics
3) Partnership and Development Finance
4) Data, Results Management Reporting
5) Communications and Advocacy
In addition, the RCO is also staffed with a Human Rights Advisor to the RCO and the UNST, a Humanitarian Advisory Team to the RC and the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT), an officer responsible for Partnership with Regional Institutions, along with other critical staff /associates including Executive and Administrative personnel, and an official driver. Effective January 2021, the RCO had a physical presence in the six Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries served by the Mission, with a Country Coordination Officer located in each island, to support the RC and the UN team in providing tailored support and assistance to each country in support of national priorities and implementation of the SDGs.
Building on this, in 2022, Common Premises were established in two territories. On March 22, Antigua and Barbuda became the first OECS territory to open a UN Common Premises, housing three Agencies –FAO, UNDP, and UNICEF – and the UN Country Coordination Office, an extension of the Resident Coordinator Office. On September 9, the second Common Premises in the Eastern Caribbean was opened in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, housing the RCO Country Coordination Office, a UNICEF Programme Coordinator, and UN Women Project Coordination Analyst. Plans are underway for placement of additional personnel to better coordinate increasing in-country support to the Government and other stakeholders.
