Partnerships and Engagement Specialist – The Global SDG Synthesis Coalition (Office-Based)- (Open to Externals)

Independent Evaluation Office of UNDP, and the Global SDG Synthesis Coalition

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) strengthens the development effectiveness of UNDP by enhancing accountability and fostering learning through independent, strategic evaluations. As one of the largest and most established independent evaluation functions in the UN System, the IEO is committed to helping shape the evaluation and evidence community to enhance the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDGs).

The 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report highlights that only 12% of SDG targets are on track, while nearly half are significantly lagging. Recognizing the urgent need to address the slow progress toward the SDGs, the IEO established the Global SDG Synthesis Coalition (the “Coalition”) in 2022. The aim of the Coalition is to reverse this trend by harnessing the power of evaluation and "living synthesis" to accelerate SDG progress. It is founded on the principle that science must be multidisciplinary, equitably produced, openly shared, and socially relevant to drive the systemic transformations required for global sustainability.

Now co-led by IEO and UNICEF’s Evaluation Office, with IEO hosting its secretariat, the Coalition’s leadership group includes the UN SDG System-Wide Evaluation Office. The Coalition’s diverse membership spans 45 UN entities, member states, multilateral development banks, and international financial institutions, uniting efforts to catalyze meaningful progress toward the 2030 Agenda through the power of evaluation (and broader forms of evidence). In 2025, the Coalition will play a pivotal role in shaping transformative investments from key donors — including the Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation, and the Jacobs Foundation — totaling approximately $126.74 million. These investments form part of the broader global initiative, the Evidence Synthesis Infrastructure Collaborative (ESIC), which aims to dramatically enhance the