Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division is mandated to support countries in advancing effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels for internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promoting digital transformation. More information on DPIDG can be found on publicadministration.un.org. The services of the IRA aim to ensure the provision of high-level technical expertise, the transfer of knowledge from global entities to Governments on policy-related issues and development strategies and the formulation, assessment or evaluation of projects and programmes. The IRA is a member of DESA's IRA Network. The services of the IRA need to comply with intergovernmental guidance on the use of the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC), when appropriate, and with strategies and guidance concerning capacity development activities endorsed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and supported by the Capacity Development Programme Management Office (CDPMO).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Programme Management and Capacity Development Unit (PMCDU) and the overall guidance of DPIDG's Director, the incumbent is responsible for the following: • Provides policy advice online and/or through short-term field missions to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries upon their request on aspects of (a) Providing policy advice to national and local governments on strengthening multi-level governance frameworks and applying the principle of subsidiarity, ensuring that responsibilities for SDG implementation are effectively distributed across national, regional, and local levels of government, in line with the principles of effective governance for sustainable development; (b) Supporting governments in integrating the local dimension of the SDGs into national development strategies, planning processes, and public policies, including mechanisms that promote coordination between central and subnational authorities; (c) Strengthening the capacity of local and regional authorities to design, implement, and monitor SDG-related policies and programmes, including through capacity development initiatives, knowledge-sharing, and peer learning; (d) Advising on institutional arrangements and governance mechanisms that enhance vertical and horizontal policy coherence, enabling effective collaboration between national ministries, local governments, and other stakeholders; (e) Promoting innovative approaches to local public service delivery, including digital services and participatory governance mechanisms that improve responsiveness, inclusion, and accountability at the local level; (f) Supporting the development of tools, indicators, and monitoring frameworks to track progress on SDG localization, including local reporting mechanisms; (g) Facilitating regional and inter-regional knowledge exchange on local governance and SDG localization, identifying good practices and lessons learned that can be scaled across countries and regions. • Monitors, studies and analyzes the trends and best practices on localization of the SDGs and prepares policy advisory notes to inform governments as well as feed into the intergovernmental process. • Contributes to the design/redesign of national policies and strategies upon requests from developing countries for localization of the SDGs and for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or other relevant international norms and standards. • Participates in the design and development of capacity development programmes, projects and activities at national, regional and global levels and contributes to implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting on these initiatives. • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Makes substantive contributions to global/regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, colloquia, and other training events, including proposals concerning agenda topics, possible participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Contributes to the Department's resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extra-budgetary funding is concerned. • Develops and updates training materials for the areas covered in capacity development activities for the use by different stakeholders. • Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Liaises with relevant professional networks and makes relevant external capacity development resources available to DESA. • Establishes and nurtures close relationships with various stakeholders in view of creating partnerships and an active network on the localization of the SDGs. • Provides inputs for the normative and advocacy functions of the Division based on the capacity development expertise. • Assumes other tasks in the area of expertise and in line with capacity development guidance as requested by the supervisor.

Competencies

Professionalism: In general: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional and technical 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. In particular, DESA is looking for staff with the following technical competence: a)Knowledge and understanding of governance, public administration and development theories, principles and applications with a focus on localization of sustainable development goals; b)knowledge of the principles of effective governance and the strategies to implement them; c)knowledge of multi-level governance concepts and practices, decentralization, subsidiarity, and whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches; d)knowledge of institutional arrangements to enhance vertical and horizontal policy coherence; e)knowledge of innovative approaches in local governance, including in the areas of participation, accountability, innovation, local public service delivery, including online services Communication: a) Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; b) listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; c) asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; d) tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; e) demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: a) Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; b) solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; c) places team agenda before personal agenda; d) supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; e) shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in in public administration, local development, public policy, political science, or related fields is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience within the UN development system and/or related to operational activities for the development of the UN system in the area of localization of the SDGs is required. At least five (5) years of experience in governance and public institutions, with a focus on local governance and SDG implementation is required. At least four (4) years of professional experience in advisory work in developing countries (including transition countries), preferably in more than one region, is required. Ability to mobilize funds and partnerships in support of capacity development activities is required. Experience in international technical cooperation and capacity development is required. Experience in developing policy guidance on localization of the SDGs is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This Job Opening refers to a specialized inter-regional adviser position. External candidates selected for this position will be subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA-limited") in accordance with section 2.2 (c) and 2.4 of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on the Administration of appointments. The initial appointment is for one year. Annual renewal of appointment is subject to endorsement by an internal Departmental Panel on the continued need for the technical specialty depending on updates to DESA's priorities in the area of capacity development, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The maximum duration of the assignment as IRA is three years. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Department of Economic and Social Affairs

INTER-REGIONAL ADVISER ON LOCALIZATION OF THE SDGs,, P4