Senior Sustainable Development Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations. The DSDG is responsible for promoting and coordinating the implementation of the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations, serving as the global secretariat for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organization aims to provide substantive inputs to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, ensuring that the global community remains focused on achieving these goals. The DSDG plays a crucial role in facilitating international cooperation and dialogue on sustainable development issues, working with various stakeholders to foster partnerships and mobilize resources for sustainable development initiatives. For more information, the organization encourages visiting their website at http://sdgs.un.org.

Job Overview:
The Senior Sustainable Development Officer is tasked with leading and directing the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and policies aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the 2030 deadline approaches. This role involves contributing to a coordinated, reflective, and evidence-based approach to inform Member States' preparations for negotiations on a global sustainable development agenda beyond 203

• The officer will be responsible for developing and evaluating assigned programs/projects related to sustainable development issues, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2027 SDG Summit. This includes conducting research, organizing policy discussions, and identifying challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. The officer will also prepare various written outputs, provide substantive support to intergovernmental meetings, and manage outreach activities to gather diverse perspectives on sustainable development issues. Overall, the position requires a strategic thinker who can navigate complex international processes and foster collaboration among various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Sustainable Development Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable development programs/projects; conducting research on emerging sustainable development issues; coordinating policy development and reviewing assessments of sustainable development trends; preparing written outputs such as background papers and reports; providing direct support to consultative and intergovernmental meetings; managing outreach activities to gather views from a broad cross-section of stakeholders; overseeing web content related to sustainable development; guiding external consultants and government officials; coordinating budget and funding activities; serving as a spokesperson for the organization; ensuring effective utilization and development of personnel; leading task forces and working groups; ensuring gender mainstreaming in policies and programs; representing the organization at various meetings; and managing data collection and analysis to inform decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an 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 a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage. Candidates should demonstrate proven knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts, and approaches, as well as the ability to identify strategic issues and generate innovative solutions.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, finance, natural resources management, engineering, law, or social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additionally, completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is advantageous, indicating a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable development and data management.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy development, formulation, and implementation of initiatives related to sustainable development issues and the 2030 Agenda. This experience must include at least five years at the international level. Candidates should also have experience in policy-oriented research, preparation of reports on sustainable development issues, and program development and management in economic and social development. Experience in coordinating intergovernmental processes and multi-stakeholder engagements is essential, along with experience working with senior government officials. Familiarity with data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of proficiency specified as UN Level II for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is limited to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and is funded through extrabudgetary resources. The initial appointment is for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of the post or funds. External candidates selected for this position will undergo a probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment process, and candidates with a history of violations of international human rights law or other serious offenses will not be considered for employment.