Sustainable Development Officer at UN-Habitat

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Sustainable Development Officer will be responsible for the following duties:  

• Participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of assigned elements of the Strategic Plan and the annual work programme and budget, etc.; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.    
• Drafts inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on human settlements sustainable development issues.    
• Formulates, identifies, and analyses proposals for inputs in the Strategic Plan and the annual work programme and budget.    
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings for consultations with colleagues in other institutions dealing with strategic planning issues.    
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on human settlements sustainable development and strategic planning issues.    
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff on human settlements sustainable development and strategic planning issues.  
• Prepares inputs for reports to governance and intergovernmental bodies, inter-agency or expert groups on issues relating to human settlements' sustainable development and strategic planning.  
• Follows intergovernmental meetings, prepares summary reports and provides substantive support, as needed. And participates in missions on sustainable development issues, usually as a member of a team.    Organizes training seminars/ workshops for national experts addressing human settlements sustainable development issues and collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches.
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, and determine suitability, validity, and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection.  
• The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• 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 stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.  
• 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; uses time efficiently.    
• 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; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development or human settlements, economics, public policy and public administration in human settlements, iitenarnational development, urban planning,  geography, social sciences or related field is required.  
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in policy and strategic planning programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in management, policy-oriented work in a broad range of human settlements sustainable development issues is required    
• At least five (5) years of experience in developing and/or implementing international sustainable development programmes involving donor community, clients, and civil society groups is required.    
• Two (2) years or more of experience in strategic planning or related area is desirable.    
• Experience in the field of capacity development, institutional reform, or training with a focus on sustainable urban development is desirable    
• Experience in studying issues related to strategies in sustainable development is desirable