Sustainable Development Officer, Regional Liaison

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) was established following the endorsement of the transformation of the Development Operations Office (DOCO) by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution A/RES/72/27

• The DCO operates as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat, focusing on the managerial and oversight functions of the Resident Coordinator system. The DCO is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and aims to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's development efforts across various regions, including Asia and the Pacific. The office is located in Bangkok, Thailand, and plays a crucial role in coordinating sustainable development initiatives across member states in the region.

Job Overview:
The Sustainable Development Officer, Regional Liaison, is tasked with monitoring and analyzing the development and implementation of programs and projects related to sustainable development. This role involves reviewing relevant documents and reports, identifying sustainable development issues, and initiating corrective actions. The officer will collaborate with various stakeholders, including Resident Coordinators, United Nations Country Teams, and Member States, to facilitate workshops and develop action plans that incorporate innovative approaches and behavioral insights. The position emphasizes the use of data-driven insights and digital platforms to enhance monitoring and analysis at both regional and country levels. The officer will also be responsible for conducting research, analyzing sustainable development issues, and formulating policy recommendations based on strategic foresight and data analytics. Additionally, the role includes designing data collection tools, interpreting responses, and applying visualization methods to inform decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Sustainable Development Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: monitoring and analyzing program/project development and implementation; performing consulting assignments in collaboration with various stakeholders; researching and analyzing sustainable development issues; developing draft policy recommendations; formulating survey initiatives and designing data collection tools; applying visualization tools for decision-making; organizing and preparing written outputs on sustainable development issues; providing substantive backstopping to meetings and conferences; participating in inter-agency task forces; designing and managing capacity building projects; supporting capacity strengthening of UN entities; collecting and analyzing data to identify trends; and performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in sustainable development theories and concepts, with the ability to identify and analyze issues effectively. They should demonstrate proficiency in data collection and management, as well as possess conceptual analytical and evaluative skills for independent research. The ideal candidate will show professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work. They should also be able to convey complex information clearly and effectively to management and stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, finance, natural resources management, engineering, statistics, social sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development project or program management or policy-oriented work is required. Candidates should have at least two years of experience in data analytics or related areas. Experience in supporting senior management and advising on sustainable development in a development cooperation context is essential. Desirable experience includes applying innovation, strategic foresight, and digital transformation in a development coordination setting, as well as collaborating with multicultural teams at various levels.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN official language, such as French, is desirable. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'Fluent' in all four areas (reading, speaking, writing, and understanding), while knowledge is rated as 'Confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension based on funding availability. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions in accordance with established rules. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening is posted.