View Vacancy - Policy Adviser, UK Mission to the United Nations
Main purpose of job:
The position of Policy Advisor is a full-time role available in the Sustainable Development and Economic Policy Team at the UK Mission to the United Nations (UKMis New York).
The team covers the UK and UN’s work on the Sustainable Development Goals, Financing for Development and broader macro-economic work, environmental issues including climate change and biodiversity, countries in vulnerable situations, STI (science, technology and innovation), as well as the work of the Economic and Social Council, and Second Committee.
As the team expands, the role may flex to take account of UK Government priorities and key issues at the UN. Currently, we envisage the jobholder managing the day-to-day work on the macro-economic cluster, including ECOSOC, STI, and some aspects of financing for development, including partnerships and private sector finance.
This will involve working with London-based colleagues to develop the UK position, reporting on policy developments, and representing UK views at the UN. This portfolio has a good mixture of opportunities to drive proactively the UK’s agenda, as well as defending UK red lines, and getting to grips with how the UN works through ECOSOC.
The jobholder will need to develop a good overview of how their work relates to that of the rest of the Mission. The position also involves providing support to the wider team on areas such as setting up Ministerial visits to the UN, putting on events and coordinating activity across the team and wider Mission. There is likely to be one travel opportunity per year, for example to London to meet with UK Government policy leads.
The ideal candidate will have a flexible approach, attention to detail, and be a strong team player. They will be comfortable managing competing and evolving demands in a fast paced environment, and demonstrate an enthusiasm for making a positive contribution to the workings and culture of the team and wider Mission. They will be interested in building a diverse network of contacts to advance UK objectives.
This is an exciting time to be working in international development as the UN and its member states focus on how to put the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Financing for Development agreements into practice. You’ll be working for a government who cares about this issue, whose views are influential and whose thought leadership is respected. The role of the UK Mission is critical in supporting the Department for International Development, the Foreign Office and the Cabinet Office delivering UK objectives through the UN.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Act as the primary point of contact in the Mission on ECOSOC, STI and some aspects of financing for development, including partnerships and private sector finance;
- Drive forward work on UK priorities on these issues, working closely with the wider team, management chain, London policy leads, other UN Missions and the UN Secretariat;
- Provide flexible policy support across the International Development team as well as leading on specific policy areas;
- Support the wider team in areas such as Ministerial visits programmes, events and coordination.
- Bachelors degree (or equivalent) and three-give years’ experience in a relevant field;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including speaking in public;
- Keen and flexible team player;
- Ability to manage competing priorities in fast paced environment.
The Mission supports the professional learning and development of all of its staff. There is considerable scope for personal development in the range of responsibilities outlined.
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
Working at the Mission:
The UK Mission prides itself on being a high-performing and exciting environment at the heart of multilateral policy-making. Learning and development is a top priority and staff are encouraged to take full advantage of the variety of excellent career development opportunities available. Outside of the core responsibilities there is scope to shape the role’s focus according to your own experience and interests.
We strive to nurture a diverse workforce by promoting policies that emphasise fairness, transparency, creativity and a comfortable and safe working environment in which individual differences are respected and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued. The Mission values honesty, integrity, professionalism and teamwork. Treating all colleagues with respect is fundamental. We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment and discrimination. We want staff to express themselves freely, to think creatively and to feel free to challenge policy perspectives constructively.
While the UN schedule can be demanding and occasionally inflexible, the Mission’s leadership is committed to doing all it can to improve the work/life balance of its staff and encourages flexible working when possible.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
