Sustainable Development Officer (Chief, UNSDG Mechanism)
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), formerly DCO, operates as a stand-alone coordination office within the UN Secretariat. It manages the Resident Coordinator System (RCS) under the collective ownership of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). UNDCO has undergone recalibration to support the 2030 Agenda and the UN 2.0 shift, focusing on data, digital, innovation, and strategic foresight. This role is situated within the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General.
Job Purpose
This role is responsible for managing the UNSDG Secretariat and ensuring the effective functioning of the UN Sustainable Development Group, particularly its Principals. The incumbent will support the UNSDG Chair and Principals in preparing key meetings, providing strategic direction, and overseeing the implementation of decisions. This includes coordinating guidance, tools, and products for UNSDG entities, and offering substantive support to interagency and intergovernmental processes like the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review. The position also involves advising senior management on strategic priorities, conducting outreach, monitoring cost-sharing commitments, and leading team efforts in data analysis for planning and reporting, aligning with the UN 2.0 framework.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include leading the UN Sustainable Development Group's effective functioning and work planning, especially for UNSDG Principals. This involves supporting meeting preparation, organizing sessions, and coordinating with member entities. The role entails direct line management of the Secretariat, providing strategic direction and oversight. It requires close collaboration with DCO teams to monitor and implement UNSDG Principal decisions, ensuring timely delivery of guidance and tools. Substantive support for interagency and intergovernmental processes, including policy reviews, is crucial. The incumbent will supervise the preparation of written outputs, advise senior management on strategic positioning, and conduct outreach to UNSDG focal points. Monitoring cost-sharing commitments, staff supervision and development, and staying abreast of emerging trends are also key duties. The role involves quality assurance of inputs, ensuring message consistency, and leading data analysis for planning and reporting.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, interagency coordination, or development system reforms is required. Five years of experience coordinating system-wide development reforms and managing the Resident Coordinator system is also necessary. Experience in UN policy-making, programming, strategy development, and UN development system reforms is essential. Experience managing large, multicultural teams is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, teamwork, planning and organizing, performance management, and leadership are core competencies. Specific skills include applying sustainable development concepts, analytical and evaluative skills for research, data collection, and problem-solving. The ability to coordinate complex multi-stakeholder processes, manage staff effectively, and drive change is essential. Familiarity with UN development system reforms and data-driven planning is also important.