Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Office of the Director-General, in the Beyond Lab, under the direct the supervision of the Chief of the Lab. ResponsibilitiesThe incumbent will perform the following duties: Policy and Programming - Contributes to the creation and design of programmatic, policy and strategy products, initiatives, tools and methods in support of the implementation of the Beyond Lab’s strategic vision and mission. - Serves as the thematic focal point on inter-generational impact (including on youth engagement and futures generations). - Works on key Lab projects that enhance intergenerational impact and participatory engagement for long-term sustainability including through the development and application of new methodologies and policy tools (i.e. Futures Balance, Beyonds Challenge). - Explores, supports and tests new ideas, products and programmatic activities in alignment with the Lab’s additional key strategic lenses: (1) emotions/affective science and constructive hope; 2) evolving and regenerative development, including rethinking economic systems; and 3) the ‘Factor X’ considering contextual needs. - Works on the design, execution and follow up of collaborative workshops and creative convenings around the strategic priorities of the Lab, applying innovation methods such as systems-thinking or regenerative and circular design, or strategic foresight. - Contributes to the provision of research and products on emerging themes, topics, and concepts in the areas of cross-disciplinary and participatory policymaking and innovation for long-term sustainability, especially as they relate to evolving long-term and regenerative sustainability concepts, with a key focus on intergenerational impact and values-based development models. - Provides technical assistance on participatory policy design to leverage innovation for long-term sustainability to partners including the UN System, member states, academia and research, civils society, and other innovation entities with a view to inform intergovernmental and interagency processes. - Provides backstopping support to the Lab’s management in preparing input to UNOG’s leadership on issues related to innovation, sustainable development, intergenerational equity and long-term sustainability, such as through briefing notes and other formats. Strategic stakeholder and partnership engagement - Contributes to the development and implementation of strategies and innovative approaches to initiate and foster partnerships (financial and non-financial) between the Lab and both public and private sector entities, such as the UN system, other multilateral organizations, member states, academia, civil society and the private sector, in support of advancing the Lab’s new vision and mission on advancing long-term sustainability. - Contributes to resource mobilization efforts, including developing funding proposals and materials to generate support for the Lab’s thematic focus areas and initiatives. - Assists in establishing, growing and maintaining relationships with key partners of the Lab, both existing and potential, in alignment with the key strategic priorities of the Lab and facilitates strategic consultations with partners, including financial and non-financial. - Acts as the Lab’s focal point with Geneva-based technology and sciences partners such as GESDA or ITU. Administrative support - Provides planning support to the Beyond Lab’s Director and other senior members of the team on issues such as calendar management, scheduling and arranging online and in-person meetings with internal and external partners, when needed. - Carries out any other ad hoc tasks, as may be required by the Director/senior members of the team. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of innovation and foresight methods. A strong understanding of theory, principles, established and emerging approaches to sustainable development, financing for development and related policy and programme design on international and national levels; demonstrates ability to forge and maintain partnerships supporting UN approaches to sustainable development; conceptual, analytical and political skills; ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities; 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 complex and stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of all genders in all areas of work. 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; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and 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; and uses time efficiently. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, intergovernmental affairs, political science, social innovation, design thinking, sustainability or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the thematic areas of policy research and analysis, political affairs, design thinking, social innovation is required. Experience in policy and strategy design and participation in the intergovernmental and interagency collaborations is desirable. Experience in designing anticipatory and participatory processes is desirable. Previous experience providing support to senior UN officials (or comparable international organization) or national government officials is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. 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. 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. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 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. 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 the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE 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.