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

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.