Associate Sustainable Development Officer (On Energy)

May 29, 2021June 17, 2021New YorkUnited States

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The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more. The UN also provides a forum for its members to express their views in the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and other bodies and committees. By enabling dialogue between its members, and by hosting negotiations, the Organization has become a mechanism for governments to find areas of agreement and solve problems together.

Job Description

This position is located in the Integrated Policy Analysis Branch of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Associate Sustainable Development Officer (on Energy) will report to the Chief of Branch and be guided on a day-to-day basis by the sustainable energy team leader within the Branch, in close collaboration with other staff of the Branch and Division. A main focus of this position is supporting the Division in the organizational and substantive preparations for the High-level Dialogue on Energy, which will be held in New York in September 2021, and its follow up activities, including in support of UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow. DESA, through the Division, serves as the secretariat for the High-level Dialogue on Energy.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Sustainable Development Officer (on Energy) will be responsible for the following duties: •Undertakes research, collects, evaluates, and analyses information and data on sustainable energy that is obtained from a variety of sources, including from technical focal points from Member States and other stakeholder entities that are involved in the preparatory process of the High-Level Dialogue on Energy. •Prepares briefing notes, inputs to speeches and similar material on sustainable energy issues, in particular concerning the High-Level Dialogue on Energy and its follow-up activities, in a form that is meaningful to non-specialists. •Prepares first drafts of assigned analytical studies, background papers, concept notes on sustainable energy. •Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars on sustainable energy, notably the meeting of UN-Energy and the SDG 7 Technical Advisory Group. •Prepares inputs for reports to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the High-Level Dialogue on Energy and other intergovernmental bodies, to facilitate the sharing of experiences, best practices and lessons-learned on the interlinkages between Energy and other SDGs. •Follows intergovernmental meetings on sustainable development, such as the High-Level Dialogue on Energy, the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, the High-Level Political Forum as well as the deliberations of the Second Committee of the General Assembly and related issues and prepares summary reports and similar material on SDG 7. •Prepares inputs into statements, including power point presentations, by senior staff to the intergovernmental, inter-agency or expert group meetings on sustainable development and related issues. •Assists in the organization of panels, round tables on Energy, including sessions of the Global Theme Champion Member States for the High-Level Dialogue. •Compiles and analyses data and other information required for the preparation of capacity development projects in the area of sustainable energy. •Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of capacity building projects, including the preparation of progress reports, workplans and budget forecasts. •Performs other duties as required, including administrative tasks related to the assigned substantive activities. •Undertakes on the job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyse data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues. 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. •Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

A first-level university degree, in sustainable development, energy, climate change, international relations, economics, public policy, public administration, natural resources management, engineering, social sciences or related field is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues is required. No experience is required for candidates who have passed the examinations for the Young Professionals Programme (YPP), the National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Experience in funds administration for development projects is required. Experience in analysis and research support for capacity building related to sustainable energy is required. Experience in organizing and coordinating high-level intergovernmental meetings, conferences and events at the international level is required. Experience in interacting with donors and senior government officials is desirable. Experience in inter-agency coordination and support on sustainable development is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available starting as soon as possible until 31 December 2021, with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • 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. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

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.

No Fee

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.

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