UN Women: Special Assistant for the Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, UN System Coordination, and Programme Results, New York, USA, P4 FTA

Job Description

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

Provide coordination and liaison support to the Assistant Secretary General / Deputy Executive Director (ASG/DED):

• Provide coordination and technical support to the ASG/DED in interactions with other UN entities by working closely with liaison staff of senior officials of those entities;
• Process and/or prepare the ASG/DED's participation in meetings and missions/key events;
• Manage the ASG/DED's agenda; evaluate and keep track of important events and meetings and advise on priorities and critical engagements requiring their presence;
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with Divisions, Sections and field offices, as well as with key partners and stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation and follow-up to meetings and key corporate initiatives;
• Maintain close contacts with the Executive Director's Office, and the Office of the DED/ASG for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships and bring to the attention of the ASG/DED all matters requiring their personal attention. Formulate options as to how those matters might be best handled and followed up, as directed.

Provide technical support to the ASG/DED:

• Provide substantive and technical support to the ASG/DED, including through the provision of sound policy inputs to facilitate their representation duties;
• Identify, research, analyze, prepare and/or organize information and briefing materials for the ASG/DED to facilitate decision-making and leadership in management and representation duties ;
• Prepare outlines, draft papers, speeches and talking points for the ASG/DED. Prepare briefing and research materials needed to support the ASG/DED in their engagements. Provide editorial assistance by drafting, clearing and editing speeches, reports and correspondence; including the preparation of briefing documents, statements, papers, policies, etc.

Provide substantive support to the ASG/DED's strategic management role:

• Establish a system for the timely monitoring and analysis of critical issues for the ASG/DED's review and action;
• Ensure timely follow-up to the ASG/DED's directives, including the effective dissemination of pertinent information to senior management and other relevant staff across the organization;
• Support the ASG/DED in the strategic management of the pillar under her oversight;
• Assist in meeting deadlines related to organizational reports.

Provide high level administrative and logistical support:

• Participate with the ASG/DED in public official engagements, including within the UN System ensuring that liaison has been maintained within all the different sections in UN Women, determine if adequate representation is present and ensure all protocol arrangements are in place;
• Manage the planning and organization of the ASG/DED's official travel, including the timely preparation of official travel files and background documents by the relevant divisions and units as well as prepare or ensure the preparation of official travel reports.

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 the Front Office team, consisting of 1 GS staff and 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:

• Strong planning, goal-setting, prioritization and organizational skills;
• Excellent skills and substantive knowledge in gender equality and women's empowerment;
• Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;
• Well-developed people management skills;
• Ability to provide information, tools, resources to support work achievement;
• Effectiveness orientation and pro-activity;
• Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral. excellent drafting skills with the ability to edit and clear reports, speeches and correspondences;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy, comfortable with handling external relationships at all level;
• Ability to Work in a highly pressured environment;
• Strong sense of responsibility, confidentiality and accountability.

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and Certification:
• Master's degree or equivalent in social sciences, political science, international relations, business administration or management, public 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 7 years of progressively varied responsible experience with international organisations is required.
• Experience in preparing speeches and presentations for senior management is required.
• Previous experience in supporting head office management and coordination functions is required.
• Experience of working on gender equality, women's rights and international development cooperation is desirable.
• Experience working within the UN System is highly desirable.

Languages:
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).