ABOUT THE 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. It is directed by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs and operates through offices in New York, Paris, and Kuala Lumpur.

ABOUT THE SDG ACADEMY

The SDG Academy represents the educational division of the SDSN, with the mandate of creating and curating the best available educational content and expertise on sustainable development and making it available as a global public good. The Academy brings together the world’s foremost experts on sustainable development, from fields as varied as early childhood development, public health, food systems, and macroeconomics—to offer a comprehensive core curriculum around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equipping the next generation of sustainable development practitioners to take on the complex challenges facing our planet.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Manager, SDG Academy, plays a key role in the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of the SDG Academy's education portfolio. Working closely with the Head of Education and Training, the Project Manager leads the end-to-end management of projects, such as content development, training delivery or policy research; cultivates strategic relationships with stakeholders, such as content partners, educators, and learners’ and supports the expansion of the Academy's global reach and impact. The role requires strong project leadership, stakeholder engagement, operational management skills, and coordination and communications skills to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality educational initiatives aligned with the SDG Academy's mission.

The Project Manager will report to the Head of Education and Training, SDG Academy.

The position is based at the SDSN’s office in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by Sunway University, and may require international travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage and Support Core Program Deliverables

• Lead and manage the end-to-end development and delivery of SDG Academy content, including faculty research, curriculum and syllabus review, pre-production, production, launch, implementation, post-production, and ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement. This includes, but is not limited to, professional development programs, K–12 initiatives, podcasts, online courses, and other educational products.

• Work closely with the Head of Education and Training and the Managing Director to ensure that SDG Academy projects under their oversight are aligned with organizational priorities, educational quality standards, stakeholder needs, and emerging global trends.

• Oversee project planning, timelines, budgets, and cross-functional coordination to ensure the timely and effective delivery of projects and related initiatives.

• Manage the adaptation, and periodic updating of SDG Academy educational resources and knowledge products to maintain relevance, accessibility, and impact.

• Monitor program performance, content currency and learner experiences, identifying opportunities for innovation, enhancement, and continuous improvement in program design, delivery, and overall impact.

Partnerships and Relationship Management

• Manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders and partners in collaboration with SDG Academy leadership.

• Manage partnership opportunities to expand SDG Academy's reach and impact, including for online content, executive education, and NGO, government, university, and industry collaboration.

• Manage strategic relationships with program delivery partners, including but not limited to online platforms, university faculty, international organizations, and government agencies, as needed to support growth and learner engagement.

• Manage relationships with production, branding, and other external service providers, as required.

• Maintain strong relationships with faculty, experts, partners, and learners, including oversight of SDG Academy's shared communication channels.

• Coordinate with relevant teams within the SDG Academy and across the SDSN Secretariat to ensure alignment and collaboration on shared initiatives, including, among others, SDSN Youth, the Networks team, and the Communications team.

Team Management and Communications

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive working environment through regular team engagements, knowledge sharing, guidance and mentorship, and day-to-day support to project team members, colleagues, consultants, and interns, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of work.

• Work with the Communications Manager to identify opportunities for impactful communications, and support their execution by developing social media content, newsletters, blog posts, reports, and other collateral.

• Administrative and General Support

• Support administrative processes, including procurement, invoicing, database management, document repository management, travel coordination, and donor reporting.

• Support with other administrative tasks, as mandated by a small team, or as assigned by the SDG Academy leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in international education, sustainable development, or related field

• Professional fluency in English required; fluency in additional languages preferred

• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience required

• Exceptional writing and oral communications skills required; research skills preferred

• Proficiency in common office software and adept at learning and navigating new technologies quickly

• Experience with educational content development and/or online learning management systems strongly preferred

• Interest in education and/or sustainable development required; familiarity with the United Nations System and its agendas strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ability to manage partnerships and client relationships at senior level

• Strong record of project management, time-management and flexibility to respond to changing priorities in fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks

• Committed to cross-cultural engagement; experience working in an international environment and/or across time zones preferred

• Highly self-motivated, self-directed, proactive and attentive to detail

• Ability to work efficiently both independently and in a team, often with demanding deadlines

• Passion for the mission of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

SDSN has little capacity to sponsor visas. Candidates with the right to work in Malaysia will be prioritized.

Salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter to sdsn_kl@sunway.edu.my

Only candidates whose profiles meet our requirements will be contacted.