Senior Policy Advisor

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR AT THE DANISH MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK

Position: Senior Policy Advisor, Sustainable Development

Type of employment: Full time employment for 2 years with the possibility of extension

Starting date: As soon as possible and no later than 1 April 2025

Location: 666 Third Avenue 11^th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA

Deadline for application: 24 January 2025 

The Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations in New York (the Danish UN Mission) is seeking to recruit a Senior Policy Advisor for the Sustainable Development and Climate Team.

The Danish UN Mission represents Denmark at the UN Headquarters in New York. We participate – including through the EU – in multilateral negotiations in the General Assembly and other UN meeting formats where we work to promote Danish interests. The Sustainable Development and Climate Team covers social, economic, environmental and climate matters in the United Nations, including the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee. The team also manages Denmark’s partnerships with UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women. Denmark is an elected member of the UN Security Council 2025-26.

We are looking for candidates with a profound knowledge of and strong interest in Danish foreign and development policy, the UN and multilateral cooperation. As a Senior Policy Advisor at the Danish UN Mission your job will be to promote Danish interests, engage in multilateral diplomacy, analyse and report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen on matters of Danish priority and engage in communication and public diplomacy.

Main tasks and responsibilities

We are looking for candidates who are capable of representing Denmark in the United Nations. Specific tasks may include:

· Preparing negotiations at the UN, including coordination of positions and strategies in the EU and with other partners and representing Denmark in these processes.

· Representing Denmark in Governing Boards of UN Funds and Programmes.

· Administration and oversight of Danish development assistance, including core and thematic funding to New York based UN Funds and Programmes.

· Liaising with relevant parts of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen and the Danish Government for instructions and inputs for intergovernmental processes, negotiations and events at the UN.

· Analysing and reporting to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on outcomes and trends in the work of the UN in New York.

· Contributing to the preparation of high-level Danish participation in UN meetings and events.

· Representing and preparing the Permanent and the Deputy Permanent Representatives’ representation of Denmark in meetings and negotiations in the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and relevant subsidiary committees.

· Engaging in information sharing, outreach and cooperation with other UN member states.

· Contributing to the external communication efforts of the Danish UN Mission through social media and other channels.

General qualifications

· Master’s degree or equivalent.

· Knowledge of Danish foreign and development policy; experience working in Danish public administration is desired.

· Relevant experience with the UN, including the UN development system

· Negotiation and networking abilities in international organisations.

· Analytical skills as well as strong written and oral communication competencies.

· Ability to work in a team as well as independently.

· Results- and solutions-oriented, including managing multiple tasks and working under time pressure.

· Open-minded and flexible attitude towards handling of assignments and readiness to

take on new tasks and challenges.

· Proficiency in English both written and orally.

· Knowledge of Danish or one of the other Scandinavian languages will be an asset.

Employment conditions

· Full-time employment for a two year period with the possibility of extension on a contract based on local terms with the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN.

· You will be employed with a working week of – on average – 37 hours, including a 30 minutes daily lunch break, but you are employed without an upper limit on working hours. You must expect longer working hours during peak periods, while you will have some flexibility to organize your daily working hours.

· You are entitled to 5 weeks (25 working days) of paid vacation days per year.

· The basic gross yearly salary for the position – for an employee subject to US income taxation – is USD 97,050. For a tax-exempt employee the net yearly salary is USD 77,600.  Depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, an additional allowance may be added. 

·  In addition, the Mission will cover the employer part of pension contribution and the employer part of medical insurance.

· As part of your salary, you will be covered by a workplace pension scheme.

· You will be offered reasonable coverage of sickness expenses. So will your spouse/partner/children under the age of 26, if you provide for him/her/them.

Application and recruitment process

To apply for the position, please send your application (cover letter, CV, proof of relevant education, recommendations and 2-3 references) in Danish or English to the Danish UN Mission at nycjob@um.dk marked UN Senior Policy Advisor no later than Friday 24 January, 2025.

The Danish UN Mission attaches great importance to equal opportunities for all and therefore welcomes applications from all qualified persons. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, age, national origin and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Selected candidates will be invited for interviews – expected to take place early February.

The chosen candidates must present a “No Criminal Record” and pass security clearance by the Danish authorities prior to appointment.

Questions

For any questions regarding the position, please contact Julie Juel Andersen (jujuan@um.dk) or Erik Laursen (erilau@um.dk).

About us

The Danish UN Mission is an ambitious, high-paced and dynamic workplace. We represent Denmark at the UN Headquarters in New York. Denmark has a strong focus on peace and security, climate and sustainable development, humanitarian affairs and international humanitarian law, human rights, including the rights of women and girls. We participate – including through the EU – in multilateral negotiations in the General Assembly and other UN fora where we work to promote Danish interests. We manage Denmark’s contributions to a number of UN Funds and Programmes and are actively engaged in the Governing Boards. The UN Mission is part of the Danish Foreign Service.

For more information about the Danish UN Mission, please visit our websites: www.fnnewyork.um.dk and www.dk4unsc.dk.