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 sustainable development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Intergovernmental Support Division plays a central role to deliver on UN Women’s normative support functions and to strengthen linkages between normative work and operational activities. It contributes to  the Entity’s support for the development and strengthening of a comprehensive set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment that is dynamic, responds to new and emerging issues, challenges and opportunities and is applied through action by Governments and other stakeholders at all levels. The Division also has special responsibility for the coordination of substantive servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies as mandated in relevant legislative documents.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of the Intergovernmental Support Division works under the direct supervision and guidance of the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Intergovernmental Support, UN Coordination and Strategic Partnerships. S/he supports the ASG in ensuring that gender equality and women’s empowerment are appropriately reflected in all relevant intergovernmental processes, particularly those where UN Women has a specific mandate. The Director coordinates the work of the Division and its team and, together with senior officers in the Division, ensures that substantive servicing of intergovernmental bodies is provided in a timely and high quality manner and in accordance with intergovernmental procedures.

S/he is also responsible for the coordination with other divisions for the preparation and presentation of reports to intergovernmental bodies; preparation of statements; planning, organization and effective support for formal and informal meetings of an intergovernmental nature; support for intergovernmental negotiations, including assistance in the preparation of resolutions and decisions; facilitation of the participation of civil society representatives, experts, and other stakeholders in intergovernmental bodies, as appropriate; engagement in dialogue with Member States; and provision of briefings and orientation to delegates. In addition the Director provides overall guidance to the Secretaries of the Commission on the Status of Women and the Executive Board.

Summary of key functions:

• Ensure the effective servicing of relevant intergovernmental bodies and support the development, strengthening and promotion of norms and standards in gender-specific intergovernmental bodies, particularly the Commission on the Status of Women;
  
• Support the ASG in strategically positioning gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as UN Women, in sectoral intergovernmental processes;
  
• Oversee support to the UN Women’s Executive Board;
• Contribute to strengthening linkages between normative and operational functions;
• Representation and management of the division.

Ensure the effective servicing of relevant intergovernmental bodies and support the development, strengthening and promotion of norms and standards in gender-specific intergovernmental bodies, particularly the Commission on the Status of Women:

• Develop an overall strategy and coordinate UN Women’s servicing of and engagement with relevant intergovernmental bodies, especially the General Assembly, the Security Council, ECOSOC, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and other bodies, to promote and strengthen a comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
  
• Provide authoritative advice in regards to relevant policy issues, programmes of work and working methods of relevant bodies, as well as ensure transparent and effective preparations and conduct of sessions that involve all relevant stakeholders and facilitate consensus-oriented outcomes;
  
• Scan the intergovernmental environment to identify and proactively address risks, challenges, and opportunities to promote and strengthen the gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda, including by following and reporting back on relevant intergovernmental discussions;
  
• Ensure that mandated requirements are met, including the timely submission of all intergovernmentally mandated documentation;
  
• Coordinate the presentation of official reports to intergovernmental bodies as required.
  

• Identify opportunities for and support the promotion of the gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda in sectoral intergovernmental processes and help ensure that gender perspectives are mainstreamed in relevant intergovernmental outcomes;
  
• Ensure effective interactions with Member States and mobilize their support through briefings for Permanent Missions, working with delegates and other relevant partners in support of UN Women’s mandate and priorities;
  
• Draft and contribute to official UN Women statements to intergovernmental bodies;
  
• Work closely with other divisions and units, including field offices, to ensure coordinated positions, support and advocacy related to intergovernmental processes and outcomes.
  

• Provide overall guidance on the work of the Executive Board secretariat and, in collaboration with the Secretary of the Executive Board, develop strategies to ensure that UN Women enjoys strong support by the Board’s membership and is recognized as an accountable, competent and effective organization;
  
• Support efforts in trust- and relationship-building for the successful outcome of all sessions;
  
• Promote opportunities for exchange and linkages between the CSW and the Executive Board, as well as between these bodies and other intergovernmental bodies as appropriate.
  

• Develop strategies and coordinate with other UN Women divisions to strengthen linkages between global norms, policies and standards and their implementation, including through UN Women’s operational activities;
  
• Develop and put in place mechanisms to ensure that the policy guidance provided by the Commission on the Status of Women is translated into programmes at national, regional and global levels, as applicable;
  
• Ensure alignment between UN Women’s Strategic Plan and Strategic Framework;
  
• Ensure that the division is represented in internal peer-review mechanisms for strategic notes, annual work plans, and other programme mechanisms to ensure that the intergovernmental and normative perspectives are adequately taken into account in operational work.
  

• Participate in and represent UN Women in intergovernmental and other relevant meetings as delegated by senior management;
  
• Contribute to the development of corporate policies, documents, and processes;
  
• Provide day-to-day leadership on management issues, particularly to ensure effective coordination in the work of IGSD staff and with other divisions;
  
• Assume managerial responsibility for human, financial and material resources for the division;
  
• Foster knowledge management and information flow within the division and with other organizational units;
  
• Undertake any other tasks as requested by the ASG.

The Director of the Intergovernmental Support Division impacts on the effective delivery of UN Women’s normative support functions and on the development of a comprehensive set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment that is dynamic, responds to new and emerging issues, challenges and opportunities and is applied through action by Governments and other stakeholders at all levels.

Competencies

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and promote ethics and integrity by creating organizational precedents.

Development and Innovation:

• Support staff competence development, and contribute to an environment of creativity and innovation.

• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.
  

Conflict Management:

• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
  

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Share knowledge across the organization and build a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.
  

• Ensure fair and transparent decision making processes and manage risk.

Functional Competencies:

• Substantive knowledge and extensive experience related to Intergovernmental processes;
• Substantive knowledge of gender equality issues, public policy and coordination;
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision;
• Strong communications skills, with proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing policy and programme documents for development practitioners;
• Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance;
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills;
• Good planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills;
• Effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and NGO partners.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master degree (or equivalent) in gender equality issues, political affairs, international relations, development, social sciences, or related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the gender equality field, development,  policy analysis, or related areas;
• Extensive knowledge and direct experience in UN intergovernmental processes, preferably with a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment including knowledge/ experience of UN system gender architecture and strategic stakeholders/partners;
• Previous experience in  procedures and working methods of intergovernmental bodies;
• Experience in gender equality issues from a policy and intergovernmental perspective;
• Managerial/supervisory competencies: management experience is a requirement, including proven strong people management skills, budget management, work planning and public speaking skills.

Languages:

• Written and oral proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN working language is desirable.