UN Sustainable Development Officer Regional Liaison Asia-Pacific

Job Posting Organization:
The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) is a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. Established to oversee the resident coordinator system, DCO operates under the guidance of the Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The office's mission is to ensure that the RC system is optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda, reflecting the UN 2.0 shift that emphasizes data, digital innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission-driven organizational culture. DCO is involved in various initiatives across multiple countries, focusing on sustainable development and collaboration with regional offices.

Job Overview:
The UN Sustainable Development Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Regional Office for Asia Pacific by performing liaison functions based in New York. This position is integral to the coordination between Headquarters and the Regional Office, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. The officer will provide substantive analysis and briefings to senior leadership, support intergovernmental processes, and engage in senior-management activities. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying regional trends and risks, preparing reports for high-level forums, and facilitating information flow between various stakeholders. The officer will also contribute to the implementation of the Regional Office's work plan and support Resident Coordinators in strategic planning exercises.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct substantive analysis and prepare briefing notes, key messages, and meeting readouts for senior leadership, particularly in complex development and crisis settings.
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on sustainable development trends and emerging risks.
• Prepare inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies and support the work of inter-agency teams.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging risks and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.
• Monitor intergovernmental processes and provide technical support for senior leadership engagements.
• Facilitate timely communication between Headquarters and the Regional Office, ensuring that country demands and regional perspectives are effectively communicated.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of the Regional Office's work plan.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and best practices among Regional Offices.
• Engage in training activities to enhance capacity both internally and externally. 1
• Perform other duties as required.

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 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 a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, as well as the ability to conduct independent research and analysis.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include 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. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by relevant experience. Additionally, completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is advantageous.

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. Desirable experience includes initiating and developing partnerships, working on sustainable development issues in the Asia Pacific region, and integrating gender equality and inclusion dimensions into development work. Experience within the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is also desirable, along with field experience in development cooperation and at least two years in data analytics or related areas.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and proficiency in French is considered an asset, although not mandatory for this position.

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 in its workforce and encourages female candidates to apply. Candidates who have committed violations of international human rights law or other serious offenses will not be considered for employment. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the United Nations does not request any fees from applicants at any stage.