INTER-REGIONAL ADVISER IN SUSTAINABLE FINANCING STRATEGIES, P5

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Policy Analysis and Development Branch, Financing for Sustainable Development Office, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Inter-regional Adviser (IRA) will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Policy Analysis and Development Branch, and the overall guidance of the Director, Financing for Sustainable Development Office The Division is mandated to provide effective substantive support for sustained follow-up within the United Nations to the agreements and commitments reached at the International Conferences on Financing for Development. Information on the Financing for Sustainable Development Office can be found on https://financing.desa.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 Branch and the overall guidance of the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the following: • Provides high-level 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 developing and implementing sustainable financing strategies and integrated national financing frameworks, with a focus on their macroeconomic and macrofiscal dimensions, and/or the implementation of the Financing for Development outcomes, including the Sevilla Commitment, at the country level. • Monitors, studies and analyzes the trends and best practices on sustainable financing strategies and prepares policy advisory notes to inform governments as well as feed into the intergovernmental process. • Provides leadership in the design/redesign of national policies and strategies upon requests from developing countries for financing for sustainable development and for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or other relevant international norms and standards. • Provides leadership in the design 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. • Provides leadership in the 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.. • Provides leadership in the Department’s resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extra-budgetary funding is concerned. • Assumes other tasks in the area of expertise and in line with capacity development guidance as requested by the supervisor. • Develops and updates training materials for the areas covered in capacity development activities for the use by different stakeholders. • 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 sustainable financing strategies and integrated national financing frameworks. • Provides inputs for the normative and advocacy functions of the Division based on the capacity development expertise. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant UN Secretariat entities and in UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies. Representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations, and consultants. Expected outputs: • Written outputs (mission reports, policy papers, technical notes etc.) of sound and innovative advice to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries. • The advisory services provided will cover a wide range of issues, including developing strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis in the best interest of clients and/or, as appropriate of the organization. • Other expected outputs include, as appropriate, policy recommendations, complex papers, analytical reports, toolkits, guidance notes, project proposals, and, upon request, substantive sections of reports and studies, publications, etc.

Competencies

Competencies: • Professionalism: In general: a) Shows pride in work and achievements; b) demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; c) is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; d) is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; e) shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; d) remains calm in stressful situations. In particular, DESA is looking for staff with the following technical competence: 1) a strong commitment to high-level technical expertise with capacity building in the relevant specialty of sustainable financing strategies and integrated national financing frameworks, in particular their macroeconomic and macrofiscal dimensions; 2) proven ability in preparing robust project proposals; 3) familiarity with the policies, programmes and activities of potential donors, including member states, UN funds and programmes, global funds, International Financial Institutions etc.; 4) familiarity with concepts and approaches related to capacity development and conversant with Result-based Budgeting/Result-based Management (RBB/RBM) approaches and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches; 5) proven ability to be a broker of knowledge and brokering issues close to DESA normative analytical mandates; 6) proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the development process; 7) proven ability in mobilizing resources; 8) taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • 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. • Client Orientation: a) Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; b) establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; c) identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; d) monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; e) keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; f) meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Managerial Competencies • Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. • Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, development or related field.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) 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 financing for sustainable development is required. At least five (5) years of professional experience in advisory work in developing countries (including transition countries), preferably in more than one region, is required. At least five (5) years of experience in sustainable financing strategies and integrated national financing frameworks is required. Experience in international technical cooperation and capacity development is required. Experience in macroeconomic and macrofiscal policies is desirable. Experience in developing policy guidance on financing for sustainable development 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.