Sustainable Development Officer, P-3

Position description

This position is located in the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division for Sustainable Development Goals provides leadership in promoting and coordinating the implementation of the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations and serves as the the global secretariat for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides substantive inputs to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Officer reports to the Chief of the Branch. The focus of the position is to coordinate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Branch’s programme of work; support capacity development and training activities at the global, regional and national levels whilst linking the global intergovernmental processes with national policies, strategies and reviews of SDG implementation particularly in the areas of integrating the 2030 Agenda into national development plans and strategies, voluntary national review follow-up, emerging challenges and other substantive areas as appropriate.

Responsibilities

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

• Drafts inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on sustainable development issues, including UN common country analysis in cooperation with the respective UN country team;
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings for consultations with colleagues in other institutions dealing with sustainable development issues, notably related to the High-Level Political Forum and its Voluntary National Review process;
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on sustainable development issues, including capacity building activities undertaken by the Branch on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs;
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff on sustainable development issues;
• Prepares inputs for reports to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental bodies, inter-agency or expert groups on issues relating to sustainable development;
• Follows intergovernmental meetings, prepares summary reports and provides substantive support, as needed;
• Participates in missions on sustainable development issues, usually as a member of a team, including supporting sub-national governments and stakeholders in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and integrating the SDGs in national and sub-national development plans;
• Performs other duties as required, including administrative tasks;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities both internally and externally.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches; Ability to develop economic, social and environmental policies and make recommendations on their implementation; Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development issues, international policy-making processes and UN intergovernmental process in the area of sustainable development; Familiarity with relevant capacity development activities of other Divisions of UN-DESA, regional commissions, and UN agencies, funds and programmes active in the area of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals; Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources; Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• 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;
• 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.

Education

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

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in a broad range of sustainable development issues, preferably in the fields of policy formulation and implementation, programme/project management, building strategic alliances and partnerships, resource mobilization, and related capacity development is required;
• Experience working in an international organization and in supporting intergovernmental processes is desirable;
• Experience in contributing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies, inter-agency or expert groups on issues related to sustainable development is desirable;
• Experience in the organization and substantive servicing of capacity building workshops, expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on sustainable development issues 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 another UN official language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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