Job Description
Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Under the overall guidance of the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Economic and Social Affairs, and in cooperation with the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Economic Development, and within delegated authorities, the Director for Sustainable Development Goals is responsible for directing and managing the programme supporting UN processes related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, the Water Action Agenda and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS). For more information, please visit our website at https://sdgs.un.org/ Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Director of DSDG is responsible for the following: Directs and manages the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on providing substantive support, integrated policy analysis, building multi-stakeholder partnerships, facilitating synergies and capacity development in thematic areas of sustainable development, such as natural resources, water, energy, climate, ocean, transport, science and technology. Contributes to the formulation of the Department’s overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General; contributes to the overall management of the Department’s activities and operations. Provides leadership to the development of innovative and/or change management programmes. Formulates and implements the substantive and capacity development work programme of the Division under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and the Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations system, donors and agencies, as appropriate. Supports the Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General in implementing mandates and initiatives that enhance internal coordination and the effective, efficient, and accountable delivery of the Department’s work. Coordinates and oversees the preparation of publications, including the Global Sustainable Development Report and parliamentary reports for presentation to intergovernmental and expert bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Division under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Promotes deployment of latest tools and technologies to deliver high quality results. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (ePAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. Oversees the recruitment of staff for the Division, taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision, fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries. Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive issues; represents the Organization and/or the Department at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Department. Competencies Professionalism: Demonstrated competence in the field of sustainable development in the broad context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; proven analy