Sustainable Development Officer, Regional Liaison, Arab States Region

Sustainable Development Officer, Regional Liaison, Arab States RegionUN RCO - United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office New York City International P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position level Speaks Arabic, English The Sustainable Development Officer will serve as a liaison for the Arab States Region, based in New York, within the United Nations Resident Coordinator System. This role involves providing substantive analysis and support to senior leadership, facilitating coordination between Headquarters and the Regional Office, and contributing to intergovernmental processes. The officer will analyze sustainable development trends, prepare briefing materials, and support the implementation of work plans. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders to enhance sustainable development initiatives in the region.

In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the oversight of the Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and embodies the UN 2.0 shift anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission driven organizational culture. The position is part of the Regional Office for Arab States and performs liaison functions based in New York, hosted in the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division. The position reports to both the respective Senior Programme Management Officer in the Regional Office and the Chief of the Inter-governmental Section in the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Division. The Regional Director for Arab States is the second reporting officer.

Prepares drafts of briefing notes, key messages, mission packs, and meeting readouts for senior leadership, including for complex development, crisis and transition settings. Collects, maintains, and analyzes quantitative and qualitative information on regional and country-level sustainable development trends, cross-border dynamics and emerging risks, required for recurrent and ad/hoc assignments. Identifies regional trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization and other UN 2.0 approaches to support anticipatory evidence-informed planning, decision-making, and reporting. Prepares inputs for reports to High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental bodies, inter-agency or expert groups on issues relating to sustainable development fora. Substantive support to intergovernmental processes and senior-management engagement: Conducts horizon scanning to identify emerging risks, opportunities and cross-border implications for the Arab States region, and maintains situational awareness of relevant regional and global developments. Monitors intergovernmental and inter-agency processes, Member States and supports the work of the intergovernmental team. Participates in meetings and provides substantive and technical support for the preparation of senior leadership visits and engagements related to the region. Coordination and liaison support between Headquarters and the Regional Office: Under the guidance of the supervisor and in close collaboration with the the Regional Office and the Chief of the Inter-governmental Section, facilitates timely two-way information flow between headquarters and the Arab States Region, including the communication of country demand, regional perspectives, corporate guidance and agreed follow-up. Supports the implementation and monitoring of the work plan of the Regional Office, as needed. Supports selected Resident Coordinators Office and UN country team processes, including retreats and strategic planning exercises, as defined by the Regional Office. Contributes to efforts to systematize and share knowledge, lessons learned and good practices among Regional Offices and Resident Coordinator Offices on sustainable development and integrated policy support. Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities both internally and externally. Performs other duties as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.