Partnerships and Engagement Specialist – Global SDG Synthesis Coalition; Office-Based Op

Independent Evaluation Office of UNDP, and the Global SDG Synthesis Coalition

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) strengthens the development effectiveness of UNDP by enhancing accountability and fostering learning through independent, strategic evaluations. As one of the largest and most established independent evaluation functions in the UN System, the IEO is committed to helping shape the evaluation and evidence community to enhance the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDGs).

The 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report highlights that only 12% of SDG targets are on track, while nearly half are significantly lagging. Recognizing the urgent need to address the slow progress toward the SDGs, the IEO established the Global SDG Synthesis Coalition (the “Coalition”) in 2022. The aim of the Coalition is to reverse this trend by harnessing the power of evaluation and “living synthesis” to accelerate SDG progress.

It is founded on the principle that science must be multidisciplinary, equitably produced, openly shared, and socially relevant to drive the systemic transformations required for global sustainability.

Now co‑led by IEO and UNICEF’s Evaluation Office, with IEO hosting its secretariat, the Coalition’s leadership group includes the UN SDG System‑Wide Evaluation Office. The Coalition’s diverse membership spans 45 UN entities, member states, multilateral development banks, and international financial institutions, uniting efforts to catalyze meaningful progress toward the 2030 Agenda through the power of evaluation (and broader forms of evidence).

In 2025, the Coalition will play a pivotal role in shaping transformative investments from key donors — including the Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation, and the Jacobs Foundation — totaling approximately $126.74 million. These investments form part of the broader global initiative, the Evidence Synthesis Infrastructure Collaborative (ESIC), which aims to dramatically enhance the availability, accessibility, and usability of evidence to accelerate progress on the SDGs.

See here and here for further information.

The Partnerships and Engagement Specialist will be an integral part of the Coalition’s secretariat team, based in the IEO offices in New York. This pivotal role will support the Coalition in advancing its mission to develop ambitious global evidence architecture for the SDGs, building on and working alongside transformative investments from the Wellcome Trust and UK Research and Innovation amongst other ESIC partners.

This role offers a unique opportunity to drive global efforts in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through evidence‑informed decision‑making. Positioned at the intersection of policy and evidence, the role is central to ensuring that the Coalition’s priorities are integrated into broader initiatives within the UN system and beyond, contributing to a stronger global evaluation and broader evidence infrastructure.

The role will lead the Coalition’s partnerships and engagement strategy, working closely with UN entities, development banks, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical and partnership‑building skills, complemented by the ability to think systemically about global sustainable development. They should have expertise in leveraging evaluation and evidence to inform policy and decision‑making, navigating complex multi‑sectoral and multi‑stakeholder initiatives, and engaging diverse actors such as UN entities, member states, donors, academia, and civil society.

Experience of advocacy for evidence‑informed decision‑making in high‑level fora is also essential.

The position collaborates with a Senior Evaluation Synthesis Specialist and a Secretariat and Communications Consultant to implement key initiatives and ensure the Coalition’s priorities are aligned with global development efforts.

• Establish strategic engagement and partnerships with UN entities, including Coalition members, the UN Evaluation Group, the UN Secretary‑General’s Science Advisory Board, UN…