Closing date: Friday, 26 December 2014

Posting Title: Sustainable Development Officer, P4

Job Code Title: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Department/ Office: Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 27 October 2014-26 December 2014

Job Opening number: 14-ECO-DESA-38086-R-NEW YORK (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Division for Sustainable Development in New York. The Division for Sustainable Development, 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 serves as secretariat to the High level Political Forum on Sustainable Development which was established following the Rio+20 Conference and GA resolutions 66/288 and 67/290. For more information, please visit our website at sustainabledevelopment.un.org/about.html. The Sustainable Development Officer reports to the Chief of the SIDS, Oceans and Climate Branch.

Responsibilities

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

• Participates in analysis and formulation of possible strategies, policies and actions in the area of sustainable transport, for adoption by the international community, in particular in the follow-up to the Rio+20 outcome and the SIDS conference outcomes, as well as in relation to the post-2015 development agenda, including the sustainable development goals.
• Conducts background research and policy analysis on specific issues related to transport, including its relations with energy, climate change, infrastructure, urbanisation, sustainable consumption patterns, among others, and prepares technical and policy notes, including draft background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies and inputs to publications.
• Prepares background material, speeches and presentations for senior staff on issues related to the work of the Branch on transport and related issues, including on follow-up to Rio+20 and the SIDS conference, as well as the post-2015 development agenda and the sustainable development goals.
• 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 direct substantive support on sustainable transport and other sustainable development issues to UN intergovernmental bodies, in particular the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and related processes, by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus.
• Participates in or take the lead in specific inter-agency or expert task forces or working groups either internally or with outside parties, on transport and related issues.
• Contributes to the branch's inputs to the preparation, organization and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies, as well as capacity building activities and expert group meetings.
• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development, with specialized knowledge and expertise on transport and related issues. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and produce reports leading to sound policy recommendations for achieving sustainable transport and sustainable development. Excellent understanding of the political environment and the programmes and activities of the UN system in implementing Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), Rio+20 Outcome document, as well as the SIDS conference outcome documents. Ability to think strategically, to identify key emerging sustainable development issues in transport and related areas, as well as relevant policy implications. 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.

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 transport, sustainable development, economics, public policy, finance, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in policy-oriented work in sustainable transport and related sustainable development issues is required. Experience in supporting intergovernmental bodies in the area of sustainable development is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Application details: https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=38086&