This position is located in the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), based in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The Division acts as the Secretariat for the SDGs, providing substantive support and capacity-building for the goals and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and Small Island Developing States. DSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN system wide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. For more information, please visit the website at https://sdgs.un.org/about. You may also wish to visit the website of the UNOSD at https://unosd.un.org/.

As delegated by the Head of Office, the Sustainable Development Officer reports to the Senior Sustainable Development Officer.

Under the supervision of the Senior Sustainable Development Officer and within delegated authority, the Sustainable Development Officer will be responsible for the management and substantive aspects of the work of the Office. In particular, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

• Develops and updates sustainable development databases and qualitative information required for recurrent or ad-hoc assignments, including the Office’s knowledge management platform.
• Drafts and consolidates inputs for technical papers, analytical studies, policy briefs and publications on specific topics and current and emerging issues relating to sustainable development issues.
• Formulates, identifies and analyses project proposals, programmes, concept notes and agendas of activities, and terms of references on sustainable development issues.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings with partners, focal points and experts from other institutions dealing with sustainable development issues.
• Assists in the organization and delivery of consultations, expert group meetings, capacity building programme and activities, technical assistance and ad-hoc activities, including study visits and field trips, seminars, etc. on sustainable development issues.
• Prepares talking points, statements, remarks and presentations for the Head of Office and senior staff on sustainable development issues.
• Prepares briefs, background materials and other inputs for preparatory meetings related to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental bodies, international organizations and/or expert groups on issues relating to sustainable development.
• Follows/Attends meetings in and outside of the office, prepares summaries, briefs and reports, and provides substantive support, as needed.
• Provides substantive support for and participates in missions on sustainable development issues.
• Organizes trainings, seminars and 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.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities both internally and externally.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff within work unit and other colleagues and peers in other relevant Secretariat units; regional commissions, UNCTAD, Middle level officials of UN agencies, regional and global development banks and other development organizations and stakeholders.
Government officials, academia, research institutions, relevant organizations, and civil society.

Results Expected:
Accurately analyses current and emerging sustainable development issues by applying sound principles; prepares reports and policy proposals that are useful to governments and other clients; engages in capacity building activities that support sustainable development efforts in the recipient countries.

• Professionalism: 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 skill in developing sources for data collection. 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, natural resources management, environmental protection, engineering, urban studies or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, policy formulation, implementation or monitoring and evaluation in the areas of sustainable development at the international or national level is required.

At least two (2) years of work experience in research and analysis, monitoring and reporting, technical assistance, capacity building or advisory services related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the international level is required.

Experience in the work of government entities or international organizations implementing SDG-related programmes and projects related to water, energy, urban or climate change issues in the developing countries, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Landlocked Developing Countries (LDCs), or countries with economies in transition is desirable.

Experience in the organization and delivery of capacity building activities and training courses to national or subnational governmental agencies is desirable.

Experience in managing/backstopping programmes, projects or operations in the UN system, including UN Regional Commissions, or other comparable international organizations, is desirable.

Experience in using content and knowledge management platforms and developing knowledge products on sustainable development issues is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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

This is a project post. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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.

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.