Sustainable Development Officer

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Integrated Policy Analysis Branch of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Division for Sustainable Development Goals in New York. The Division for Sustainable Development Goals, under the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, provides leadership in promoting and coordinating implementation of the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations and acts as the Secretariat for the Sustainable Development Goals. The Division also plays a leading role in the UN-wide implementation of the Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) and led the preparations of the first two UN Global Sustainable Transport Conferences. The Sustainable Development Officer reports to the Chief of the Integrated Policy Analysis Branch.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Sustainable Development Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on coordinating the inter-agency efforts of supporting the implementation of the 2026-2035 UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, follow-up to the first and second UN Global Sustainable Transport Conferences, and leading the substantive preparations of the third conference as mandated by the UN General Assembly, contributes to various flagship reports, including the Global Sustainable Development Report; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and sustainable development issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties including inter-agency groups; ensures follow-up actions.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with clients, (e.g. Member States), by planning and facilitating workshops and expert group meetings on sustainable development issues including on sustainable transport and its interlinkages with the 2030 Agenda, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing action plans clients will use to manage change.
• Researches, analyzes sustainable development issues drawing from the latest scientific evidence and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Develops draft policy recommendations on sustainable development issues covering the social, economic and environmental pillars, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Formulates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Organizes and prepares evidence-based written outputs on sustainable development issues, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, reports of the Secretary-General on various aspects of sustainable transport etc.
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations on sustainable development issues.
• Provides substantive support on sustainable development issues to intergovernmental bodies such as the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Economic and Social Council including the annual Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, and the General Assembly and the negotiations of the modalities and outcome document of the 3rd UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference.
• Participates in or take the lead in specific inter-agency or expert task forces or working groups either internally or with outside parties from various backgrounds and facets of sustainable transport.
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities including stakeholder engagement in intergovernmental processes; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff on sustainable development issues, in particular on sustainable transport.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods and communication tools to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Familiarity with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the cross-cutting role of Sustainable Transport policies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches drawing from the latest scientific evidence. Ability to identify emerging issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis on SDG interlinkages, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Experience contributing to global 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to communicate complex analysis to policymakers.
• 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

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, natural resources management, engineering, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and nondegree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues is required. Experience working with inter-agency mechanisms within the United Nations or similar expert bodies is required. Experience with organizing large mandated thematic UN conferences and related intergovernmental processes is required. Experience contributing to global reports on sustainable development is required. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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