Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, in the Natural Resources and Interlinkages Branch. The Sustainable Development Officer reports to the Chief of the Natural Resources and Interlinkages Branch. The Division for Sustainable Development Goals acts as the Secretariat for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on providing substantive support and capacity building to the 17 SDGs and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, ocean, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and SIDS. The Division contributes to the intergovernmental processes on the 2030 Agenda, including those under the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum, with its substantive analytical work on thematic issues of the Sustainable Development Goals. It coordinates substantive inputs for the deliberations on the review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The sub-programme serves as the departmental anchor on the 2030 Agenda. It organizes focal teams on the Sustainable Development Goals and their interlinkages, including UN-Ocean, UN-Water, UN-Energy, UN-Transport and UN-Climate. It also plays a key role on the evaluation of system-wide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on advocacy and outreach activities relating to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Sustainable Development Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Develops databases and qualitative information on sustainable development, required for recurrent or ad-hoc assignments;
- Drafts inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on sustainable development issues;
- Formulates, identifies and analyses project proposals on sustainable development issues;
- Attends international, regional, and national meetings for consultations with colleagues in other institutions dealing with sustainable development issues;
- Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on sustainable development issues;
- Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff on sustainable development issues;
- Prepares inputs for reports to 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;
- Organizes training seminars/workshops for national experts addressing sustainable development issues;
- Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of capacity building projects in sustainable development;
- Performs other duties as required, including administrative tasks;
- Prepares inputs for statements, talking points, briefing notes etc. for senior officials on sustainable development issues and serves as note-taker.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs 6 and 14. Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. 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;
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, finance, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals on Water and Sanitation or Oceans in an international setting is required;
- Experience with intergovernmental processes is required;
- Experience in organizing large international conferences on Sustainable Development is required.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Application instructions
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