UN Sustainable Development Officer, Regional Liaison - Arab States Region

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. The UN operates in various sectors, including sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) was established to enhance the coordination of development efforts across the UN system, ensuring that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is effectively implemented. The DCO plays a crucial role in supporting the Resident Coordinator system, which is vital for the UN's operational effectiveness in member states. The organization employs thousands of staff worldwide, working in diverse environments to address global challenges.

Job Overview:
The UN Sustainable Development Officer for the Arab States Region is responsible for providing executive support and facilitating communication between the UN headquarters and the Regional Office for Arab States. This position involves preparing briefing materials for high-level UN leadership, conducting research on sustainable development trends, and supporting senior management's participation in intergovernmental and interagency forums. The officer will also serve as a liaison to ensure effective information flow and collaboration between various UN entities and the Arab States region. The role requires a deep understanding of sustainable development issues, particularly in the context of the Arab States, and the ability to analyze complex data to inform decision-making processes. The officer will contribute to strategic planning and capacity development activities, ensuring that regional priorities are effectively integrated into UN operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide executive support to high-level UN leadership, including preparing briefing notes, mission packs, and meeting readouts.
• Conduct research and analysis on sustainable development trends and emerging risks in the Arab States region.
• Prepare speeches and advocacy messages tailored to various stakeholders, including Member States and UN country teams.
• Support DCO senior management in intergovernmental and interagency fora by monitoring relevant processes and providing analytical inputs.
• Facilitate communication between headquarters and the Regional Office, ensuring timely information exchange.
• Contribute to strategic planning exercises and regional processes as defined by the Regional Office.
• Engage in knowledge-sharing and capacity development activities related to sustainable development.
• Perform other administrative tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, with the ability to conduct independent research and analysis. They should demonstrate professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender equality in their work. The ideal candidate will have excellent teamwork skills, valuing collaboration and input from colleagues. Client orientation is also essential, as the officer will need to establish productive partnerships with various stakeholders. The ability to analyze and interpret data effectively is crucial for supporting decision-making processes.

Educational Background:
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 is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development, public policy, or development cooperation is required. Candidates should have experience with inter-agency and intergovernmental collaboration in the development sector, as well as a proven track record of initiating and developing partnerships. Experience in sustainable development issues specific to the Arab States region is desirable, along with familiarity with integrating gender equality and other inclusion dimensions into development work. Field experience in development cooperation is also preferred.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic is considered a desirable language, with a preferred proficiency level of UN Level II. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is open for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance within its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is open to candidates from diverse backgrounds, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs.