Sustainable Development Officer, Regional Liaison, Arab States Region
Organizational Context
The United Nations Secretariat's Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) supports the resident coordinator system to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, aligning with the UN 2.0 shift. This role is within the Regional Office for Arab States, performing liaison functions from New York within the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division. The position reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer and the Chief of the Inter-governmental Section.
Job Purpose
This role provides crucial executive support, briefings, and mission preparation for high-level UN leadership, focusing on sustainable development in the Arab States region. It involves supporting senior management in intergovernmental and interagency forums, conducting horizon scanning for emerging risks and opportunities, and analyzing relevant processes. A key function is serving as a liaison between UN Headquarters and the Regional Office for Arab States, facilitating information flow, contributing to strategic planning, and supporting knowledge exchange. The position aims to enhance evidence-informed decision-making, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to the effective functioning of the resident coordinator system and UN country teams in the region, aligning with the UN 2.0 framework.
Responsibilities
The Sustainable Development Officer provides executive support, including preparing briefing notes, key messages, and mission packs for senior leadership, particularly in complex development, crisis, and transition settings. Responsibilities include researching and analyzing regional and country-level sustainable development trends, cross-border dynamics, and emerging risks, utilizing UN 2.0 approaches for insights. The role supports senior management participation in intergovernmental and interagency fora by conducting horizon scanning, monitoring processes, and providing analytical inputs. A significant duty is facilitating communication between UN Headquarters and the Regional Office for Arab States, ensuring effective information flow and contributing to strategic planning and knowledge-sharing activities on sustainable development priorities.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in sustainable development, public policy, or development cooperation is required. Essential experience includes inter-agency/intergovernmental collaboration in development and initiating partnerships. Experience with the Arab States region's sustainable development issues, integrating gender equality, and working within the UN system or a comparable international organization are desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, teamwork, and client orientation are core competencies. Specific skills include applying sustainable development theories, conducting independent research and analysis, data interpretation, effective communication, collaboration, and partnership building. Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, generate insights through data visualization, and prepare advocacy messages is also key.