Request from
Communication and Outreach Branch
DESA/Division for Sustainable Development for an Associate Expert
JOB DESCRIPTION
INT-170-04-P64-01-V (July 2009)
1. General Information
Title:
Duration:
Date Required:
Duty Station (location, sector):
2. Supervision
Title of the supervisor:
Associate Expert in Sustainable Development
1 year (with possible extension for another year)
ASAP
New York
DESA/DSD/NIMO
Chief of the Communication and Outreach Branch (COB)
Content and methodology of supervision:
The Associate Expert will work directly under the supervision of Nikhil Chandavarkar, Chief of
the Communication and Outreach Branch (COB). A detailed work plan will be developed for
the Associate Expert, in consultation with the supervisor. This work plan will also be
incorporated into the UN’s Performance Appraisal System (PAS). On the basis of the work plan
and the PAS, the supervisor will hold regular discussions with the Associate Expert on her/his
job performance and expectations. In addition, the supervisor will be available at any time to
assist the Associate Expert in meeting his/her goals.
3. Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
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Assist in reviewing and analyzing national reports and case studies submitted by national
focal points to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in relation to the specific
themes considered by the CSD, and processing them for posting on the DSD website;
Contribute to the formulation of new and improved guidelines for future national reporting to
the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), based on an analysis of other UN and
international agency reporting requirements, as well as on feedbacks from national focal
points.
Solicit, manage and analyze case studies submitted by national focal points through the
online data base;
Contribute to drafting communication materials on DSD or CSD activities, working with
communication focal points from other Branches or with DPI;
Provide support to website content updating and uploading, as needed.
Assist in providing substantive servicing to the CSD through taking notes of the
deliberations, preparing summaries of discussions, providing support to the related events,
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etc.;
Undertake other practical and substantive tasks related to the implementation of the work
programme of the Branch commensurate with the incumbent’s professional level and
expertise.
4. Qualifications and experience
Education:
Advanced University degree in social sciences with an
interest in sustainable development or development issues,
and strong analytical and computer-related skills
Work experience:
Working experience in a field related to sustainable
development planning, integrated development analysis or
applied economics. Relevant work experience in an area
related to sustainable development and in a multinational
setting are desirable
Languages:
Fluency and strong communication skills in English, both
written and spoken; a working knowledge of French or
Spanish is desirable;
Other skills:
Ability to work under time pressure when required;
Interpersonal skills for maintaining good working relations
with others.
UN competencies:
Professionalism: Excellent analytical and organizational
skills and strong sense of responsibility and commitment.
Communication: Good presentation, interpersonal
communication, as well as strong drafting skills;
Technological awareness: Working knowledge of 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
After the two-year assignment, the Associate Expert will be able to:
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Be knowledgeable of issues related to sustainable development and of the functioning of the
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD),
Be familiar with the programme of work and working arrangements of the Division for
Sustainable Development,
Improve his/her drafting skills,
Develop a good understanding of general actions and approaches taken by Governments, UN
agencies, Major Groups and others in sustainable development,
Further refine technical and analytical skills to undertake integrated assessments and analysis
relevant to sustainable development-related issues.
6. Background information
The Division for Sustainable Development is the Secretariat of the Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD), an intergovernmental body that was established by the General Assembly
to monitor implementation of the programme of action (Agenda 21) agreed upon at the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, the Programme for
the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 adopted at the Earthsummit + 5 in 1997, the
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development held in September 2002.
NIMO’s key areas of responsibilities can be summarized as follows: (i) monitoring and
evaluating progress in the implementation of Agenda 21, +5 and JPOI, particularly in relation to
their specific targets and goals, through regularly updating and analyzing national and regional
information as new reports and case studies are received; (ii) undertaking monitoring, advisory
and conceptual work related to national sustainable development strategies and indicators; (iii)
maintaining and updating the sustainable development website including the website on national
information; and (iv) conducting communication and external relations work for the Division and
for the CSD.