Senior Sustainable Development Officer (Senior Advisor - UNSDG)

Org. Setting and ReportingTo ensure a United Nations that is fit-for-purpose to deliver on the ambition of the SDGs, the General Assembly adopted the most far-reaching development reforms in the history of the organization in May 2018. At the core of resolution 72/279 was the establishment of a reinvigorated, independent, impartial, and empowered Resident Coordinator (RC) system to support a new generation of UN country teams (UNCTs). A critical investment in RC system capacities is the strengthening of the Development Coordination Office (DCO), including, for the first time, at the regional level. The DCO Regional teams play a pivotal role in supporting the work of RCs, RC Offices (RCOs), and UNCTs and facilitating coordination of the UN's regional assets to deliver efficient and effective operational activities at the country level and in cross-border settings. The DCO Regional teams are part of DCO headquarters capacities, located in the same region as the countries within their remit. The Regional Director reports to the Assistant Secretary- General (ASG) and Director, DCO, as First Reporting Officer, and to the Chair of the Regional UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) as Second Reporting Officer. DCO functions as the Secretariat of the UNSDG, which is chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General. The position of Senior Adviser is located in the Front Office of the DCO and reports to the Assistant Secretary-General of DCO, under the day-to-day guidance of the Deputy Director. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Adviser, UNSDG Secretariat will be responsible for the following duties: • Supports the UNSDG Chair in leading the development, implementation and effective functioning of the UNSDG and work planning, particularly in relation to the UNSDG Principals and other related working fora. • Ensures effective DCO support to the UNSDG Chair and UNSDG Principals in the preparation of key meetings of the UNSDG, supporting the substantive planning and preparation of relevant background materials, coordinating effectively with relevant offices of member entities in this process. • Working closely with relevant teams in DCO, ensures effective implementation and monitoring of decisions of UNSDG Principals, including coordinating the timely delivery of guidance, tools and other products decided by the UNSDG and their effective utilization by UNSDG entities. • As part of the DCO Front Office team, ensure substantive support to UNSDG-related interagency as well as intergovernmental processes, including UNDCO substantive engagement in the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, and the Operational Activities Segment of the Economic and Social Council, as well as other related intergovernmental and interagency discussions. • Supervises preparation of various written output such as speeches, briefing notes, analyses, results reports, and other inputs for the UNSDG Chair, Vice-Chair and DCO senior management on matters pertaining to UNSDG strategic priorities. • Advises UNDCO Director and Senior Management on the positioning of UNSDG strategic priorities in interagency and intergovernmental bodies, including the Economic and Social Council, and the General Assembly. • Conducts regular outreach, information sharing, consultations, and coordination activities with UNSDG focal points in UN agencies, funds and programmes, and other relevant colleagues within UNSDG entities to improve understanding of, and alignment with, UNSDG priorities. • In coordination with relevant UNDCO units, ensure timely monitoring and follow-up of UNSDG entities' cost-sharing commitments for funding of the Resident Coordinator system. • Manages the UNSDG Secretariat team, providing supervision and direction to team member(s). Evaluates and mentors staff as appropriate. • Keeps abreast of latest emerging trends and innovative approaches related to the UNSDG. • Works closely with the DCO Front Office team to monitor and provide quality assurance of relevant inputs from across the Resident Coordinator system and UNSDG member entities, ensuring consistency of message, current topics and rapid response to stakeholder inquiries and information requests. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches to the work of the UNSDG. Ability to identify 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, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet, and other databases. Ability to coordinate and convene complex processes with multiple stakeholders. 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. 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. PLANNING & 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, finance, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues or related area is required. A minimum of three (3) years experience in UN inter-agency policy-making, programming and/or strategy development at the country, regional or global level is required. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in providing policy support/advice to UN entities and/or Member States, regarding the RC System at the country, regional and global levels is required Experience in managing multicultural teams at the country, regional or global levels is required. Experience in the design and/or roll-out of UN development system reform efforts is desirable. Field experience in development cooperation is desirable. Experience working at the headquarters of a development cooperation agency is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).