Director, Division for Sustainable Development

Under the overall guidance of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and the oversight of the Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, the Director of the Division for Sustainable Development will be responsible for the implementation of the following in the context of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States:

1. Manage the implementation of the work programme of the Division particularly with regard to the preparation of analytical reports, studies, and expert group meetings on thematic areas for the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Second Committee of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and other relevant intergovernmental and inter-agency bodies on issues relating to sustainable development;
2. Provide policy advice to the Under-Secretary-General and, if required, to the UN Secretariat, on substantive and policy aspects of sustainable development, including follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development outcomes and related UN activities. Provide guidance and supervise the preparation of briefing material, statements, and policy proposals on the issues of sustainable development for the Under-Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the Secretary-General, as required;
3. Coordinate the cooperation with entities of the United Nations system, as well as with national, regional and global organizations;
4. Provide direction and guidance, and be accountable, for the implementation of the national capacity development activities of the Division in sustainable development to strengthen capabilities in developing countries, including creating an environment for sharing of best practices and lessons learned. Undertake resource mobilization, as well as initiate, guide and oversee the evaluation of capacity development activities for sustainable development;
5. Take the lead and oversee the preparation of divisional inputs to the biennial strategic frameworks and programme budgets; be responsible for staff management issues in the division, including implementation of the Performance Appraisal System; and
6. Represent the Department at international, regional and national meetings.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Solid and in-depth understanding of economics, environmental and social aspects of sustainable development issues and policies; very good understanding of key issues and related processes which comprise the UN Development Agenda.

Communication:

Strong spoken, written, and communication skills; ability to defend difficult views and positions to intergovernmental bodies, as well as staff, including senior officials; tact and negotiating skills. Leadership: proven ability to provide effective leadership; proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks; ability to anticipate and resolve conflicts; ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing.

Managing performance: strong managerial/supervisory skills; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor work of others.

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, social, environmental science or a discipline related to sustainable development. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and extensive experience in sustainable development and management of substantive programmes may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the management of programmes on sustainable development issues, including experience in senior level positions at the international and/or national levels is required. Experience in United Nations intergovernmental processes and in handling complex and politically sensitive issues are required. Experience in developing and supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships is desirable.

Experience in the context of one or more of the following is desirable: Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

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 other official UN languages is desirable.

How to Apply:

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to "My UN" page and check the status of your application by clicking on "View Application History", and resubmit the application, if necessary.

1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.
3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.