United Nations Office at Geneva

• Location
  Geneva, Switzerland
• Sector
  Non Profit
• Experience
  Early Career / Mid Career

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the SDG Lab of the Office of the Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva. The incumbent will report directly to the Chef of the Section.

The Associate Political Affairs Officer initiates and participates in designing specific policy solutions and collaborations, and develops and maintains strategic partnerships within UN, public and private sectors at global and national levels to ensure multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting solutions for long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Strategic stakeholder and partnership engagement:

• Contributes to the development and implementation of strategies and innovative approaches to initiate and foster partnerships (financial and non-financial) between the Lab and both public and private sector entities, such as the UN system, other multilateral organizations, member states, academia, civil society, and private sector, in support of advancing the Lab’s new vision and mission on advancing long-term sustainability;
• Establishes, grows and maintains relationships with key partners of the Lab, both existing and potential, in alignment with the key strategic priorities of the Lab and facilitates strategic consultations with partners, including financial and non-financial;
• Provides input to the senior leadership of SDG Lab on issues related to strategic and innovative partnerships and ensures adequate partnership structure(s) is in place, such as strategic partnership frameworks, and other key tools to leverage external expertise and collaborations for SDG Lab’s core work;
• Provides guidance on SDG Lab’s governance structure and works with the Head on the revision, implementation and follow up of such a structure.

Programmatic, policy and strategy design:

• Contributes to the creation and design of programmatic, policy and strategy products and processes in support of the implementation of the Lab’s new strategic vision and mission with emphasis on its key focus areas (“new lenses to sustainability”) and strategic approaches, including through the development and application of new methodologies and policy tools;
• Explores, co-develops, and tests new ideas, products, and programmatic activities in alignment with the Lab’s new key strategic priorities, taking into account contextual needs;
• Works on the design, execution and follow up of collaborative workshops, applying innovation and foresight methods in workshop design;
• Contributes to the provision of research and products on emerging themes, topics, and concepts in the areas of innovation for long-term sustainability and social and economic development, especially as they relate to evolving long-term sustainability concepts, future generations and inter-generational equity, as well as the role of culture and values;
• Provides technical assistance on policy design to leverage innovation for long-term sustainability to relevant partners among the UN System, member states, non-governmental organizations with a view to inform intergovernmental and interagency processes;
• Works with the senior leadership of SDG Lab in preparing input to the UNOG senior management on issues related to innovation, sustainable development, and long-term sustainability, such as through briefing notes and other formats.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of innovation and foresight methods. A strong understanding of theory, principles, established and emerging approaches to sustainable development, financing for development and related policy and programme design on international and national levels; demonstrates ability to forge and maintain partnerships supporting UN approaches to sustainable development; conceptual, analytical and political skills; ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities; 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 complex and stressful situations; and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of all genders in all areas of work;
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• 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; and uses time efficiently.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, public administration, law, social sciences or related area is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, sustainable development, development cooperation, public policy or related fields, including experience in engaging with public and private institutions, is required;
• Experience in policy and strategy design and participation in the intergovernmental and interagency collaborations is desirable;
• Experience in designing anticipatory and participatory processes is desirable;
• Experience providing support to senior UN officials or national government officials is desirable;
• Experience in the United Nations and/or national government is desirable;
• Experience in working with Permanent Missions and other high-level national delegations to the United Nations, including ministers, and heads of delegations/states, is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

APPLY