Request from
DSD/DESA for Associate Expert
Communication and Outreach Branch
JOB DESCRIPTION
INT-021-06-P277-01-V (July 2009)
1. General Information
Title:
Duration:
Date Required:
Duty Station:
Associate Expert in sustainable development
1 year (with possible extension for another year)
as soon as possible
New York
2. Supervision
Title of the supervisor: Sustainable Development Officer, Major Groups Programme Coordinator
Content and methodology of the supervision:
The Associate Expert will work under the general supervision of Ms. Pietracci, in collaboration with an
another professional assigned to the major groups programme, one or two interns and the Chief of
Branch.
3. Duties, responsibilities and output expectations:
The Associate Expert/Junior Professional Officer is expected to:



Provide assistance and advisory support in information collection, analysis and synthesis and drafting
of case studies on progress achieved by major groups1 in implementing activities for achieving
sustainable development as per the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the programme of work
contained in the report of the 11th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development;
Assist in developing working guides to assist Major Groups participation in and inputs into the
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) reporting and follow-up process, to assess progress
achieved in Agenda 21, the Programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21, the
Johannesburg Plan of Action and the Mauritius Strategy for the sustainable development of SIDS;
Assist in providing substantive support to the Division on issues related to the updating relevant
divisional databases and webpages, including the iCSO database.
Specific duties include:
1. Monitor and assess the extent to which Major Groups organizations are implementing Agenda 21,
the Programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of
Action;
1
Major Groups refer to organisations of civil society including women, children and youth, indigenous
people, NGOs, local authorities, workers and trade unions, business and industry, scientific and
technological communities and farmers.
1
2. Provide advisory support by undertaking research, collecting information, undertaking analysis
and drafting inputs and disseminating information to Major Groups including briefings upon
request.
3. Assist with the follow-up to the implementation of decisions of the CSD on Major Groups by
tracking decisions taken on Major Groups, determining actions that have been taken and assist in
reporting on this to the CSD. The data collection from major group organizations regarding their
sustainable development activities is carried out through: survey administration and analysis,
requests for inputs, case studies,, research, correspondence, briefings and meetings with Major
Groups representatives on themes and topics addressed by the CSD and assisting them to identify
the inputs they are required to provide to the CSD.
4. Assist in the preparation of guidelines and questionnaires through which major groups,
governments and UN agencies provide information on the work being carried out in relation the
major groups. Receive and analyse the information provided and assist in preparing mandated
reports for the Commission.
5. Assist with preparing studies and background documents mandated by the CSD on topics related
to Major Groups for the CSD and its preparatory meetings.
6. Assist with preparation to conduct CSD meetings with integrated participation of major groups,
workshops, seminars, roundtables and other forms of consultations with major groups.
7. Assist with the dissemination of information on the activities of the Division, facilitating internal
and external information exchange, internal information systems and information networks
related to all topics of the Branch work programme and ensuring a timely update and
maintenance of the Web-sites and relevant databases (especially Major Groups) served by the
Division.
4. Qualifications and experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in Political Science or Social Sciences
with
specialization
in
International
Relations,
Environment/Development
issues
and/or
Participatory
Development.
Work experience:
Previous experience in non-governmental organisations is desirable.
Experience at the international level with environmental and sustainable
development policy issues is desirable.
Languages:
Fluency and drafting skills in English are required. Fluency in another
official UN language is desirable.
Other skills:
Should have good computer, writing, interpersonal skills and Internet
knowledge. Ability to work independently in an office environment is
required, Familiarity with UN work and procedure is an asset, but not
required. Ability to write/edit documents, draft correspondence,
undertake Internet research, contacting people by e-mail and telephone.
UN competencies
Professionalism: ability to draft high quality inputs to substantive
reports; ability to analyze development issues; excellent networking
skills; organization of own work and good team work performance.
2
Technological awareness: Proficiency in the use of basic software tools
including word processing, presentation programmes, spreadsheets,
graphics, databases and internet research tools.
Communication: Good interpersonal skills.
Teamwork: Ability to interact respectfully and constructively and create
good working relations with people of different national and cultural
backgrounds.
5. Learning Elements
From working with the Communication and Outreach Branch, the incumbent will learn about United Nations
work, concerns and objectives related to sustainable development. From working with the major groups
programme, specifically, the incumbent will have the opportunity to learn about multi-stakeholder processes,
participatory decision making processes, non-state actors’ role in sustainable development policy making and
implementation processes. The incumbent will learn much about various aspects of sustainable development
his/her own research, as well as from the other activities he/she will be involved in for the Branch’s work.
6. Background information
The major functions of the Communication and Outreach Branch/Division for Sustainable
Development/DESA include the following:

Develop and maintain the Divisional Website, and other related information management tools and
databases that facilitate the Division’s work

Outreach and coordination






Major groups
Interdepartmental and Interagency Relations
CSD Learning Centre
CSD Side Events
CSD National Focal Points
Dissemination and outreach
3