Special Assistant and Program Associate

ABOUT SDSN

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has been operating since 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. We aim to accelerate joint learning and promote integrated approaches that address the interconnected economic social and environmental challenges confronting the world. SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies multilateral financing institutions the private sector and civil society. SDSN is directed by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs and operates through offices in New York Paris and Kuala Lumpur.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will support and report to the Vice President for the Americas and Strategic Partnerships as well as to the Director and Head of the New York Office. The incumbent provides a wide range of duties often confidential. Primary responsibilities include using independent judgment and initiative in providing administrative support for complex items including report production coordination of logistics for special and high-level events booking extensive travel managing extremely busy calendars and preparing expense reports. Other responsibilities include helping to edit writing conducting background research in preparation for external meetings preparing and distributing minutes to relevant parties at meetings and providing support to donor outreach and management. The incumbent will support the SDSNs UN engagement at the organizational level and monitor key UN processes. Travel will be required with this position. The incumbent will be responsible for all additional assignments deemed appropriate by the Vice President for the Americas the Director and Head of the New York Office or senior members of the SDSN team.

Administrative and operational support for the VP Americas and Strategic Partnerships and program support for the Science Panel of the Amazon (SPA) and the Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) (75%)

• Provides overall administrative and operational support and acts as a central resource to the VP for the Americas and Strategic Partnerships administrative requests including:
  • Manages the VPs calendar scheduling meetings and coordinating appointments across time zones.
  • Organizes and coordinates travel arrangements including flights accommodations itineraries expense reporting and reimbursements.
  • Reconciles corporate credit card transactions.
  • Liaises with internal teams and external partners to facilitate communication and ensure timely follow-up on requests.
  • Supports correspondence management including drafting reviewing and organizing emails invitations and other general communications.
  • Follows up as appropriate on contacts made by the Vice President and supports the cultivation of ongoing relationships.
  • Ensures the Vice President is well informed of upcoming programmatic commitments and responsibilities and is appropriately briefed.
  • Supports the monitoring of key deliverables timelines and reporting requirements related to the VPs portfolio.
  • Performs other administrative and operational duties as required to support the VP.
• Provides program support for the Science Panel of the Amazon (SPA) and the Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB)
  • Supports the preparation submission and monitoring of contracts with service providers including submitting invoices for payment and maintaining records of invoices and payment status.
  • Supports the organization and coordination of SPA and SPCB high-level program events (i.e. UNFCCC and CBD COPs UNGA HLPF etc.) including identifying and securing partner organizations speakers venues accommodation accreditation event submission and the like.
  • Books SPA- and SPCB-related travel both domestic and international often complex and crossing multiple cities and borders on behalf of the VP.
  • Prepares expense reports and submits reimbursements on behalf of SPA program affiliates.
  • Maintains program documents and databases (e.g. event participation records).
  • Coordinates and assists in gathering resource information for meetings and presentations and prepares reports and presentation materials in support of the SPA and SPCB.
  • Prepares SPA and SPCB event and meeting materials and follow-up documents including notes and minutes.
  • Works with other SDSN staff drafts documents and reports for donors including fundraising proposals budgets interim and final narrative and financial reports email correspondence and forms related to the SPA and SPCB.

Support to the Director and Head of the New York Secretariat in the implementation of key initiatives (25%)

• Supports the SDSNs UN engagement at the organizational level and monitor key UN processes including:
  • Develops and maintains SDSNs annual calendar of major global forums and relevant meetings.
  • Monitors procedures and deadlines for the SDSNs participation in priority global forums tracking accreditation registration and side event submission processes including the High-Level Political Forum and the UN General Assembly.
  • Maintains engagement trackers to support SDSNs cross-team coordination at major UN events.
  • Monitors major UN processes (including Pact for the Future UN 80 post-2030 negotiations) and produces periodic summaries of new developments and substantive briefs for internal distribution.
  • Provides administrative support for the SDSNs accreditation through ECOSOC including the submission of UN grounds pass requests and registration management through UN systems.
  • Maintains relevant Staff Hub content related to UN engagement deadlines and participation guidance.
  • Supports the development and maintenance of an SDSN UN key contacts database.
  • Provides administrative and logistical support for priority SDSN-led convenings at the HLPF and UNGA and other global convenings as assigned.
  • Supports the Head of New York Office across UN engagement activities including participation in relevant meetings and preparing meeting summaries.

QUALIFICATION EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors Degree (completed or currently enrolled) in sustainable development administration biology ecology climatology geography forestry anthropology economics or a related discipline is preferred.
• 1-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Administrative experience is desired.
• Experience in organizing events is a plus.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (MS Word Excel and PowerPoint) and Google Office (Sheets Docs Forms etc.).
• Accuracy strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication interpersonal and writing skills.
• Ability to work under pressure on competing responsibilities with resilience discretion and diplomacy.
• Passion for the mission of the SDSN.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural and international team environment.
• English fluency required.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is an asset.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Location: SDSN operates as a fully remote organization. However as the Vice President for the Americas and Strategic Partnerships the Director and Head of the New York Office and most SDSN staff are based in the New York metropolitan area candidates based in the region are preferred.
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
• Contract Length: July 15 2026 to July 15 2027 with the possibility of renewal.
• Salary Range: The proposed salary range is USD $56415 - $70000 gross annual salary (FTE) depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.
• Working hours: Full-time.
• Benefits: SDSN offers generous leave allowances and a flexible remote work policy. SDSN team members are given the opportunity to follow some of the most thought-provoking discussions on their work team members get the opportunity to meet and exchange with some of the worlds greatest leaders in sustainable development professors economists bestselling authors educators and addition to this SDSN team is composed of brilliant dynamic sustainable development professionals that come from different countries and backgrounds. With such a unique exposure and environment each member of SDSN can learn and grow while doing the work they love and contribute with a positive impact.
• Work authorization: SDSN does not sponsor visas and therefore applicants must have proper authorization to work in the United States. SDSN is required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to secure verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

SDSN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SDSN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to unlawful considerations of race color creed religion gender sex national origin ancestry citizenship status genetic information military or veteran status age and physical or mental disability or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal laws.