Senior Sustainable Development Officer (Senior Policy Adviser – UNSDG Mechanism)

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 208,877 USD and 261,770 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 United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) and reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination. The incumbent supervises one staff member.

On behalf of the Secretary-General and reporting to the Deputy Secretary-General, the UN Development Coordination Office assumes the managerial and oversight functions of the Resident Coordinator system at country level, and serves as the Secretariat for the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The UNSDG is the high-level inter-agency forum for programme and operational guidance and informed decision-making across 35 entities of the UN development system. It provides strategic direction and oversight to ensure UN development system entities deliver coherent, effective and efficient support to countries seeking to attain sustainable development. The UNSDG is chaired by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, and the UNDP Administrator serves as UNSDG Vice-Chair.

The focus of this position is to lead DCO’s Secretariat support to the UNSDG.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Senior Policy Officer - UNSDG Mechanism will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Effective preparation of key UNSDG meetings - Leads on and ensures the effective functioning of the global UNSDG working mechanism and work planning, particularly the UNSDG Principals and Core Group. - Provides direct support for the substantive planning and preparation of meetings of the UNSDG and the UNSDG Core Group at the level of UN Executive Heads. - Supervises preparation of various written output such as briefing notes, analyses and talking points for the UNSDG Chair, Vice Chair, and DCO Director, on matters pertaining to UNSDG strategic priorities.

2. Effective functioning of UNSDG Secretariat function

• Liaises and coordinates across UN DCO to ensure a holistic and effective UNSDG Secretariat function, including support to subsidiary working groups or task teams, and keeping staff well informed and consulted on UNSDG matters.
• Conducts regular outreach, information sharing, consultations and coordination activities with UNSDG focal points in UN agencies, funds and programmes.
• Prepares regular, strategic updates to the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the UNSDG, working closely with staff in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the Executive Office of the UNDP Administrator, as well as that of other senior officials of the UN system.
• Ensures timely follow-up across the system to deliver UNSDG-mandated outputs and activities

3. Analysis, communication and partnerships - Monitors and reports periodically on system-wide work priorities, deliverables and commitments, including those related to the UN Funding Compact. - Provides direct substantive support to DCO’s engagement in, and monitoring of, intergovernmental fora, particularly relevant segments of ECOSOC, the General Assembly, and Executive Board sessions of UN entities, including by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance, assisting in developing a consensus, proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparation of documents and presentations on sustainable development issues. - Works with a cross-DCO teams to effectively support DCO engagement in QCPR reporting and functions as the senior liaison for UN and Member State partners, as well as other key partners for the implementation of the Funding Compact. - Monitors and provides quality assurance, ensuring consistency of message, current topics and rapid response to stakeholder inquiries and information requests.

4. Team management - Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guides, evaluates and mentors staff. - Ensures a successful working relationship with all DCO units and offices to deliver an effective UNSDG Secretariat function. - Performs other related duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: DCO senior management and other DCO staff. Resident Coordinators and Resident Coordinator Office staff. Executive Offices of the UNSDG Chair (UN Deputy Secretary-General) and UNSDG Vice Chair (UNDP Administrator). Senior officials and technical focal points within the UN Secretariat and UN system. Intergovernmental bodies, Government Officials, Ambassadors, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, research bodies, evaluative bodies, etc.

Results Expected: Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned programme/projects. Provides sound and innovative advice on a wide range of complex sustainable development issues to address development challenges of developing countries. Effectively leads and efficiently plans, develops, implements and monitors programme to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results. Independently approaches work, seeking advice from the chief of Director only when necessary. Advises and provides leadership to junior staff.

Competencies - Professionalism: Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Proven ability to analyze complex data and produce reports leading to sound policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development; Solid understanding of the political environment and the programmes and activities of the UN system in implementing Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI); Ability to think strategically, to identify key emerging sustainable development issues and related policy implications. 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.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Managerial Competencies:

• 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.

• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

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

  Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues is required.

  A minimum of three (3) years of experience at HQ or field level of UN inter-agency policy-making, programming and/or strategy development is required.

  Experience in the design and/or roll-out of UN development system reform efforts is desirable.

  Field experience in development cooperation is desirable.

  Experience in managing multicultural teams at the country, regional or global levels is desirable.

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

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

  Special Notice At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

This position is available for an initial period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill 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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 January 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.