Senior Sustainable Development Officer

Overview

Lead initiatives for 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals implementation

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields is required.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy-oriented research/programme management, particularly in sustainable development issues.
• At least 7 years of experience should be at international level.
• Experience in supporting large intergovernmental processes on sustainable development is required.
• Experience in providing substantive leadership in the planning, development, drafting and finalization of global publications and reports.
• Experience in policy formulation and policy advisory work is required.
• Experience working with United Nations institutions in sustainable development is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 194,686 USD and 243,986 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Division for Sustainable Development Goals. The Senior Sustainable Development Officer reports to the Chief of the Integrated Policy Analysis Branch in the Division. For more information, please visit our website at https://sdgs.un.org/.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Sustainable Development Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects on sustainable development issues related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). • Leads research and analysis on the identification of new and emerging issues and trends relevant to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda, presenting results and policy recommendations with clarity and rigor. • Strengthens the science-policy interface through integrated assessments of scientific analysis and evidence from various fields relevant to the SDGs, including the implications for policy at multiple levels and across diverse actors. • Provides direct substantive support to consultative and intergovernmental meetings, in particular the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and other events that may be organized by the Division. • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., gives lectures or presentations on assigned topics/activities on sustainable development issues. • Oversees web contents and structure for the areas of his/her responsibilities. • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties, including drafting mission summaries on sustainable development issues. • Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on sustainable development issues at various fora of intergovernmental, governmental, inter-agency, expert or multi-stakeholder nature. • Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and ensures a response to request for advice and/or capacity development on sustainable development issues and policies, including leading capacity development missions. • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.) for the Branch. • Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization. • Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guides, evaluates and mentors staff. • Takes the lead in task forces, working groups, inter-agency groups, as needed on sustainable development issues. • Represents the Branch/Division at international, regional or national meetings on sustainable development issues. • Manages unit/section both substantively and administratively, as appropriate. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Familiarity with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, measurements and policies relevant to sustainable development. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks for the Organization in areas related to activities of the work unit. Ability to identify and communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide substantive leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, drafting and finalization of publications such as reports. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Proven ability to analyze complex data and produce reports/other publications containing sound policy recommendations for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Solid understanding of the political environment and the programmes and activities of international bodies including the UN system as related to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Ability to think strategically, to identify key emerging sustainable development issues and related policy implications for a diverse range of stakeholders. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgment/Decision-making: Identifies key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, natural resources management, engineering, natural/social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy-oriented research/programme management, work in a broad range of sustainable development issues is required, at least 7 years of which should be at international level.

Experience in supporting large intergovernmental processes on sustainable development is required.

Experience in providing substantive leadership in the planning, development, drafting and finalization of publications and reports of a global scope on sustainable development issues is required.

Experience in policy formulation and policy advisory work is required.

Experience working with United Nations system institutions and bodies in the area of sustainable development is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Sept 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions