Chief of Unit, P5

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Policy Integration Unit of the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch. FSDO provides effective secretariat support for sustained follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development and the delivery of the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More information can be found at: https://financing.desa.un.org/.

The Department supports the development pillar of the United Nations Secretariat by fostering international cooperation for sustainable development for all. Its work spans three mutually reinforcing areas: (a) providing substantive support on development issues to the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, its functional commissions and expert bodies; (b) monitoring and analysing global development trends, prospects and policy issues to inform decision-making; and (c) assisting Member States in translating commitments and policy frameworks agreed at United Nations conferences and summits into national policies and programmes, and strengthening their capacities to implement them. More information is available at www.un.org/desa

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of the programme of work of the Policy Integration Unit, which serves as the core secretariat to the Economic and Social Council forum on financing for development follow-up (FfDF/ FfD Forum), including:

• Assists the Chief of Branch in carrying out the work on the design and organization of FfDF ensuring: (i) utilization of the modalities of the International Conferences on Financing for Development, taking into account the updated arrangements set out in the Sevilla Commitment; (ii) full engagement of institutional and non-institutional stakeholders and coherence between the follow-up to and review of the financing for development outcomes, including the Sevilla Commitment, and the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and (iii) that the outcome of FfDF feeds into HLPF (High-level Political Forum) and that the Forum takes into account, on an appropriate cycle, the deliberations of relevant Economic and Social Council meetings and forums, including the DCF (Development Cooperation Forum), and relevant ongoing engagements with the private sector.
• Plans and oversees the work of the Unit; ensures that the substantive work programme and programmed activities are carried out in a timely and coordinated fashion, in liaison with other DESA Divisions, other stakeholders of the FfD follow-up process, as well as donors as appropriate.
• Manages, supervises and carries out the work of the Unit, including programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others; ensuring that the outputs produced as part of this work maintain high-quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates.
• Provides substantive support and guidance to intergovernmental consultations on the outcome of FfDF.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit and contributes relevant programmatic/administrative inputs for the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (e-PAS),, evaluation and interviewing of candidates for job openings.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and across organizational boundaries.
• Participates in inter-agency, international, regional or national meetings on financing for sustainable development, and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on financing for development issues, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Takes the lead in resource identification and mobilization.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Thorough understanding of UN intergovernmental process in the area of Financing for Development and relevant international policy-making processes. Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in Financing for Development and formulating financing policies in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Financing for Development follow-up processes, including implementation of the Sevilla Commitment. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues related to Financing for Development and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING & 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience with intergovernmental processes at the United Nations or similar settings, especially on financing for development outcomes and the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda 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

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is funded through 31 December 2030 only, as approved by the General Assembly. The appointment will initially be for a period of one year. Subsequent extensions, if any, will be subject to the continued availability of funding, budgetary approval, and the extension of the mandate.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must meet the applicable geographical or lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy, taking into account that selection to the post may itself constitute a qualifying move, in accordance with the relevant administrative issuances. Staff members are encouraged to ensure that all qualifying geographical or lateral moves are accurately reflected in their applicant profile. Please refer to ST/AI/2025/2 on the Staff selection system for more details.

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.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, China (People's Republic of), Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Nicaragua, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.

The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).

Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in their 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.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.

The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship.