Position located in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Unit, Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), New York.
Reports to the Chief of the SIDS Unit and collaborates with staff of the Unit and the Division.
The Division contributes to intergovernmental processes on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including work under the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the High-level Political Forum.
Supports technical advice to governments, civil society, and stakeholders on the Antigua and Barbuda Action for SIDS (ABAS), SAMOA Pathway, 2030 Development Agenda, AAAA, Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework, and other international development goals.
Contributes to capacity-building and technical cooperation activities in SIDS and supports resource mobilization at the Division and Department level.
Member of DESA’s Inter-Regional Advisor (IRA) Network and ensures compliance with guidance on capacity development activities and the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC).
Responsibilities
Monitor and analyze capacity development programmes/projects at national, regional, and global levels; review documents, identify issues, and initiate corrective actions.
Perform consulting assignments with Member States; plan and facilitate workshops on sustainable development issues and assist in developing actionable plans.
Study trends and best practices on SIDS and prepare policy advisory notes for governments and intergovernmental processes.
Contribute to national policy and strategy development on sustainable development issues as requested by SIDS; review and analyze trends, prepare evaluations and research studies to support SDGs and ABAS.
Provide policy advice online or via short-term field missions to governments and stakeholders on SIDS-related topics and ABAS implementation.
Collaborate with DESA divisions, regional institutions, and partners (including UN agencies) to identify capacity-building needs and develop plans and activities within the Unit’s work programme.
Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops and seminars; make presentations on assigned topics.
Lead or participate in complex field missions; provide guidance to consultants, government officials, and draft mission summaries.
Coordinate activities related to budget funding, project submissions, progress reports, financial statements, and related documents.
Ensure gender mainstreaming in legislation, policies, and programmes.
Contribute to resource mobilization strategies, especially extrabudgetary funding.
Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Apply sustainable development theories and approaches; analyze and resolve issues; conduct independent research and analysis using various sources.
Strong knowledge of sustainable development in SIDS, including ABAS, SAMOA Pathway, 2030 Agenda, and SDGs.
Ability to prepare robust project proposals and provide innovative technical leadership.
Familiarity with donor policies, capacity development concepts, and M&E approaches.
Proven ability to broker knowledge, build partnerships, and mobilize resources.
Incorporates gender perspectives and ensures equal participation of women and men.
Planning & Organizing: Set clear goals aligned with strategies; prioritize tasks, allocate resources, anticipate risks, and adjust plans as necessary.
Communication: Speak and write clearly; listen and interpret messages effectively; tailor communication to the audience; maintain openness and transparency.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, environmental science, natural resources management, engineering, social sciences, or related field.
Work Experience
Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management or policy work in sustainable development.
At least five years of experience in analytical work and project/programme formulation and implementation on SIDS issues at the international level.
Minimum two years of advisory experience in developing or transition countries on SIDS-related issues.
Experience writing project proposals to secure funds is desirable.
Experience in networking and collaborating with UN system entities and external partners is desirable.
Experience providing technical training to high-level decision-makers is desirable.
Languages
English: UN Level III required (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
French: Working knowledge is beneficial but not required.
Assessment
Evaluation may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a specialized inter-regional advisor position with an initial one-year appointment.
Renewal is subject to departmental endorsement, funding availability, and satisfactory performance; maximum duration as IRA is three years.
External candidates will receive a fixed-term appointment (“FTAlimited”).
UN Secretariat staff who meet the “internal candidate” definition may be reassigned without a lien to their parent position.
The UN is committed to gender balance, geographic diversity, and diversity of backgrounds in its staff.
Deadline : Dec 2, 2025
About the Organization
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. The Department works in three main interlinked areas: it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which Member States of the United Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options; it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capacities.
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