Result of Service

(a) Finalisation of development of the work of the High-level Panel to Develop a Multidimensional Vulnerability

(b) Delivery of the Fourth SIDS Conference to be held in 2024.

Work Location

New York

Expected duration

12 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert on Sustainable Development reports to the Chief of the SIDS Unit. DSDG acts as the Secretariat for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on providing substantive support and capacity building to the 17 SDGs and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, ocean, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and SIDS. The SIDS Unit is mandated to provide substantive secretariat support to intergovernmental and inter-agency processes related to the monitoring, review and coordination of the implementation of the sustainable development priorities of SIDS; act as a liaison and focal point for Governments, organs, programmes and agencies of the United Nations system, as well as other relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, on matters related to the follow-up to the 3rd International Conference on SIDS; prepare reports to be submitted to the relevant bodies of the United Nations, including the General Assembly, on the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and the SDGs, drawing on the inputs from all appropriate sources; and provide support, as appropriate, to other activities emanating from the SAMOA Pathway, including the SIDS Partnerships Framework.

In this context, DESA would like to engage an expert in Sustainable Development to provide support the Unit’s work in the thematic areas as defined in the work assignment.

Within delegated authority, the Expert for Sustainable Development will be responsible for the following duties:
• Follow and finalize, as appropriate, the work of the High-level Panel to Develop a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and the initial implementation, through the preparation of analytical inputs and facilitation of briefings on themes of the Index.
• Prepare inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on sustainable development issues, including financing for sustainable development and other development priorities of SIDS, such as SIDS vulnerabilities, disaster risk reduction and climate change.
• Collate, decipher and analyse all inputs and submissions received from stakeholders and support the preparation of regional meetings and Expert Group Meetings on SIDS issues, as appropriate, in particular those informing intergovernmental deliberations.
• Identify and analyse project proposals on sustainable development issues related to SIDS.
• Attend international, regional, and national meetings for consultations with colleagues in other institutions and/or with Member States dealing with sustainable development issues, in particular, the SAMOA Pathway, including for the preparation of the 4th International Conference on SIDS, the conference itself and related preparatory conferences and meetings at UNHQ and away from Headquarters.
• Organize expert group meetings, seminars, Member States briefings etc. on sustainable development issues, including support to the work of the Steering Committee of the SIDS Partnership Framework and the SIDS Partnerships Award.
• Prepare inputs for statements, talking points, briefing notes, etc. for senior officials on sustainable development issues, with a focus on SIDS and their sustainable development challenges.
• Prepare inputs for reports to High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental bodies, inter-agency or expert groups on issues relating to sustainable development, with a focus on SIDS.
• Follow intergovernmental meetings, including those of the Second Committee of the General Assembly, serving as note-taker, preparing summary reports, facilitating break-out discussions and round tables, and providing substantive support.
• Participate in missions on sustainable development issues, usually as a member of a team.
• Organize training seminars/workshops for national experts addressing sustainable development issues.
• Monitor, backstop and assess the implementation of capacity building projects related to sustainable development.

Qualifications/special skills

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 related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, and at least 2 years in an international setting, is required.
Experience in supporting intergovernmental meetings, negotiations and events, preferably at UNHQ and with a focus on sustainable development issues, is required.
Experience in interacting with international organizations on sustainable development is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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.