Special Assistant to Executive Director

Background: UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. The Executive Directors Office (EDO) provides support to the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Directors, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), in the delivery of their functions, especially that of providing overall executive direction and leadership to UN Women. The EDO supports the ELT in providing vision, establishing priorities, fostering coherence amongst the senior management team, leading advocacy, ensuring overall management, oversight and accountability. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, and in close collaboration with the Chief of Staff, the Special Assistant supports the Executive Director in the execution of her functions through providing high quality advisory services on issues related to her strategic priorities. Key Functions and Accountabilities: Advise on – and assist in the elaboration of - the Executive Director’s strategic priorities: • Support the Executive Director to determine strategic engagement around key priorities. • Provide coordination across different internal and external divisions and stakeholders, for the achievement of the Executive Directors priorities. • Lead or support special corporate initiatives of the Executive Director, including provide technical guidance and direction towards the implementation of the Executive Director’s priorities. • Review, prepare and/or organize information and materials for the Executive Director related to her strategic priorities. Provide Policy and Advisory Services: • Provide support to the Executive Director and Chief of Staff, on management and corporate strategic issues requiring their decision or response; • Support corporate innovations and change management processes; • Identify operational priorities for Executive Director’s office and support initiatives or responses to address such priorities; • Identify and analyze opportunities and options and prepare policy proposals, statements, and position papers as required by the Executive Director, ELT or Executive Board; • Analyze and anticipate potential for risks in directives and procedures and propose action to protect the Executive Director from such risks. Advocacy/representation and networking to further UN Women’s agenda globally: • Liaises with Member States, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks and other civil society entities concerning the substance of the Executive Director’s public appearances and activities on behalf of the UN Women; • Maintain networks and regular working contact with UN agencies, diplomatic missions, Executive Board members, other government officials, multi/bilateral partners and civil society organisations and the private sector to exchange information, build partnerships, and establish agreements within pre-determined guidelines. • Keep the Executive Director informed opportunities for strengthening UN Women’s partnerships. • Support the maintenance of strong partnerships with key actors related to the Executive Director’s deployment of her functions. • Provide strategic and technical advice and substantive guidance, and develop and present evidence and rationale for strategic partnerships and partners on women’s rights and gender equality. Advise on building and consolidating partnerships across the inter-governmental space, within the UN and across civil society: Oversee administrative functions supporting the Executive Director and Provide effective communication and information management support: • Facilitate flow of information and communication between the Executive Director and relevant stakeholders, internal and external; • Review the Executive Director’s correspondence, delegate drafting and preparation of materials as needed within the EDO and the wider organization; • Drafts background notes speeches, articles, and correspondence for the Executive Director, and reviews materials produced by UN Women Divisions and offices, responses to Member States and other stakeholders; • Manage EDO colleagues providing support to the Executive Director and ensure clear communication flows. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads a team of four (4) direct reports (2 P staff and 2 GS staff), as well as affiliate personnel (consultants and interns) where applicable. Competencies : Core Values: • Integrity; • Professionalism; • Respect for Diversity. Core Competencies: • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; • Accountability; • Creative Problem Solving; • Effective Communication; • Inclusive Collaboration; • Stakeholder Engagement; • Leading by Example. Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: Functional Competencies: • Affinity with and knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; • Strong communication skills, both written and oral; • Strong inter-personal skills, communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation; • Ability to work in a highly pressured environment; • Strong sense of responsibility, confidentiality and accountability. • Strong partnership building and networking skills, client-oriented • Skilled strategic thinker and excellent analytical abilities; • Good knowledge of, and work exposure to UN Women's goals, corporate policies and country offices programmes, operations, challenges and reporting; • Proven track record of success in policy and strategy development and implementation; • Solid and proven IT and presentation skills including the use of spreadsheets, databases, Word, presentation software, etc. Recruitment Qualifications: Education and Certification: • Master’s degree or equivalent in gender, social sciences, public administration, business administration or related field. • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: • A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, preferably working on gender equality, and women's rights is required. • Experience in policy and programmatic work in gender equality is required. • Experience in gender and advisory positions is required. • Experience in the management of complex units and situations is required. • Experience working within the UN System at both a country/field level and in a headquarters setting is highly desirable. • Experience working at a senior level in a front office is desirable. Languages: • Fluency in English is required. • Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish). Statements : In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. Diversity and inclusion: At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.) Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.