View Vacancy - SECOND SECRETARY, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (UKMIS NEW YORK)
Main purpose of job
To promote and secure UK objectives on policy areas key to delivering the social development aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through the UN General Assembly and Economic and Social Council. Issues covered by the portfolio will include health, hunger, education and the “SDGs decade of action” as well as a reinvigorated UN approach to using data for the SDGs. The role will work with senior officials and ministers across a range of UK government departments (including the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of Health and Social Care) and speak on behalf of the UK at the UN.
Roles and responsibilities
This is an exciting opportunity to build multilateral experience working on development issues, and to develop leadership and influencing skills in a fast paced and challenging environment. The UN landscape on international development has been markedly shaped by the Paris, Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreements in 2015. 2020 is a key milestone, as the UN seeks to move into the “decade of action” to deliver on these agreements for 2030. This position will lead on negotiating for the UK on specific areas that contribute to the delivery of the SDGs, through:
- Building and maintaining up-to-date understanding of UK priorities and Member States positions on health, education, hunger and other social development issues, and influencing a wide network of key contacts on these issues amongst Member States, the UN system and NGOs.
- Leading the development of a coherent UK position on stepping up use of data to measure and evaluate the delivery of the SDGs, and act as the main liaison on the Statistics Committee; Lead negotiations with the UN to drive forward action on these key issues.
- Working with UK policy managers in UK, Geneva, Rome and elsewhere to develop, inform and shape UK policy positions in relation to the UN’s delivery and evaluation of social development SDGs.
- Representing the UK and negotiating on its behalf in the General Assembly and ECOSOC on these policy issues, as well as at the Commission for Social Development.
- Preparing statements, briefs and reporting on your policy issues.
- Assisting and advising UK government ministers and officials visiting New York, including support for High-Level Week at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September each year, and other events or activities as they arise.
- Performing other duties as required and work flexibly, adjusting to changing priorities as needed
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
There are no formal line management responsibilities at this moment, but there will be opportunities to develop and hone line management skills for an interested job-holder, including through the management of seasonal surge staff.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing, policy and communication skills, including written communications, in English.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to be detail-oriented
- Effective at both long-term planning and responding to urgent day-to-day developments
- Ability to assess, sumarise and prioritise large amounts of information and coordinate clear and concise responses
- Creativity, flexibility, adaptability, and excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Confidence and poise; ability to work to tight deadlines and independently in a fast -paced environment
- Effective multi-tasking abilities
- Proven track record of working with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve objectives.
- Strong networking skills; ability and willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend events, as necessary
- Experience of work in the public service
- Bachelors degree (or equivalent) and 3-5 years experience in a relevant field
- Familiarity with the UK Government
- Up-to-date knowledge of and interest in foreign policy issues; knowledge and understanding of the UN, international relations or international development
- A degree in Economics, Political Science, Social Science, Law, International Development, Gender, or related disciplines.
Working patterns
If the job is suitable for flexible working patterns, please provide details: Normal working hours are 9 a.m. – 5:30p.m. with occasional evening and weekend work required.
The nature of UN work requires staff to be frequently present in the UN or at the Mission, however the mission is keen to offer opportunities to work flexibly as far as the demands of the UN calendar allow.
The job offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.
Given the jobholder’s responsibilities and beneficial background knowledge of Government and UN operations, the UK Mission may consider sponsorship of a candidates application for a G Visa, if the candidate is the best applicant with all the proven experience listed above, and meets all other eligibility criteria, including the successful conclusion to background checks and security clearance.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law. Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
Internal applicant must inform their supervisors before applying. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
The British Embassy and UK Mission is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
Applicants must be either US citizens, US Green Card holders or G visa holders.
Given the jobholder’s responsibilities in working with Diplomats, the Mission is willing to consider sponsoring a candidate’s application for a G visa, only if that candidate is the best applicant with all the proven experience and skills listed above, and meets all other eligibility criteria.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
