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.

Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Intergovernmental Support and Strategic Partnership Bureau provides the inter-governmental bodies with the timely, high quality and relevant substantive support and inputs they need for successful deliberations related to gender equality and the empowerment of women. This includes supporting the work of the main bodies of the UN (GA/ECOSOC/Security Council, Functional Committees etc.), organizing and supporting the meetings of CSW and organizing and supporting the meetings of the UN Women Executive Board.

The Bureau also leads the efforts to develop and oversee the implementation of the strategy for UN Women’s role to “lead, coordinate and promote the accountability of the United Nations system in its work on gender equality and the empowerment of women” at Global, regional and Country level.

The Bureau leads the work to develop, and implement UN Women’s strategy for interaction with external partners, including for advocacy, communications and for mobilization of support both in terms of political will, and financial resources, using effective partnerships with multi-lateral organizations and the staff work together in close collaboration with the staff in the rest of UNW and civil society, as well as with the media and private sector.

The Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist reports to the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System, who provides supervision and guidance. The Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist will support the improvement in the status of women in the UN System by assisting in: analyzing, monitoring and reporting on actions and initiatives in the UN System; identifying opportunities, challenges and obstacles in the achievement of gender balance; coordinating and supporting the formulation and implementation of strategies; developing technical tools and guidelines; and leading knowledge acquisition and management.

He/she will support functions related to the implementation of the System-Wide Action Plan and Accountability Framework on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (SWAP). Key responsibilities include assisting with: substantive support for system-wide coordination and engagement of UN entities in the SWAP roll out e.g. training, guidance, monitoring and evaluating progress, and collecting, collating and analyzing data.

The Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist is also responsible for assisting in establishing partnerships with experts in the private sector, research institutes etc. on topics related to both gender balance in the work place and accountability, representing the organization in relevant meetings and providing substantive and organizational support for UN Women’s participation and contributions to relevant inter-agency and organizational activities including workshops and expert group meetings.

The Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist reports to the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System, who provides supervision and guidance. The Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist will support the improvement in the status of women in the UN System by assisting in: monitoring, analyzing and reporting on actions and initiatives in the UN System; identifying opportunities, challenges and obstacles in the achievement of gender balance; coordinating and supporting the formulation and implementation of strategies, as appropriate and necessary; developing technical tools and guidelines; and leading knowledge acquisition and management.

He/she will support functions related to the implementation of the System-Wide Action Plan and Accountability Framework on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (SWAP). Key responsibilities include assisting with: substantive support for system-wide coordination and engagement of UN entities in the SWAP roll out e.g. training, guidance, monitoring and evaluating progress, and collecting, collating and analyzing data.

The Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist is also responsible for assisting in establishing partnerships with experts in the private sector, research institutes etc. on topics related to both gender balance in the work place and accountability, representing the organization in relevant meetings and providing substantive and organizational support for UN Women’s participation and contributions to relevant inter-agency and organizational activities including workshops and expert group meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Promotion of gender balance in the United Nations System including support for policy development and implementation, as required, and monitoring and reporting;
• Monitoring and reporting;
• Implementation of  the System-Wide Action Plan and Accountability Framework on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women -SWAP including support to oversight and coordination, as required;
• Research, knowledge management and outreach;
• Production of newsletters and publications, as required;
• Programme support;
• Support ad hoc duties, as required.

Description of Key Functions:

Promoting gender balance in the United Nations System Policy Development and Implementation:

• Assist the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System to advise on policies and procedures to improve the status of women in the UN System including through the development of relevant gender relevant policies and strategies, and mechanisms for implementation and managerial accountability.

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative monitoring of policy, practice and progress made by the organizations of the UN System for  improvement of the status of women in the UN system, including detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of statistics and implementation of specific measures governing the appointment, promotion and retention of women, work life fit and other gender related policies including the preparation of the Report of the Secretary-General on the improvement of the status of women in the United Nations System;
• Prepare the annual reports to intergovernmental bodies e.g. the Commission on the Status of Women, including detailed statistical tables. Provide substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for policy-making organs;
• Work with UN entities and internal and external auditors and consultants to monitor and evaluate progress towards gender balance.

Implementing the System-Wide Action Plan and Accountability Framework on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women – SWAP:

• Assist the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System in providing support for implementation of the SWAP, collaborating closely with other UN agencies, funds and programmes and UN coordinating bodies such as CEB to ensure a coherent and coordinated use of the action plan and accountability framework, including advice, training, guidance and expert advice including through identification and deployment of expert advisors, as necessary,  to support the implementation of policy and practice and the adoption of accountability mechanisms by entities;
• Support the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System and focal points to promote the use of data generated through checklists, the use of the gender marker system, gender focused evaluations, gender audits, gender responsive evaluations and similar tools.

• Assist the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System to strengthen partnerships and cooperation with entities of the UN System through regular contacts to discuss concerns, review progress in implementation, and promote initiatives for increased collaboration on individual indicators of the UN-SWAP framework. Organize regular meetings with key stakeholders to ensure that they are supported in their implementation of the accountability framework;
• Provide concise and focused written and verbal briefings and advice to UN Women colleagues on the challenges emerging through implementation of the accountability framework to ensure timely and effective response;
• Collect and compile data from all UN bodies and analyze results and overall trends. Prepare full report and summary of findings for the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women in the UN System and eventual publication by the Executive Director;
• Organize and service meetings between the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women and individual entities to review progress and support them to develop action plans for continued improvements. Prepare summary findings, and recommendations in addition to taking notes and keeping records;
• Evaluate and review the accountability framework and specific Performance Indicators in light of feedback from entities.
• Support the Senior Advisor on Coordination and Focal Point for Women with the coordination of gender focal point systems forboth representation and the UN-SWAP  including through responding to ongoing requests for technical and substantive support in their work to promote gender equality and women’s empowerement.

• Produce the quarterly newsletter ‘Network’;
• Serve as a liaison between the Gender Balance and Mainstreaming Focal Points of the various entities and bodies including the Interagency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE) on all matters concerning the SWAP and the representation of women. Organize regular focal point meetings;
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with a broad range of actors in the private and non-governmental sectors working on accountability for gender mainstreaming and improving the status of women in the workplace;
• Coordinate, and/or contribute substantively to seminars, expert group meetings, panel discussions etc. on emerging topics related to the SWAP and the representation of women and exchange views on the latest findings, policy guidelines, and models for implementation;
• Research and compile information on initiatives taken by specialized agencies, programmes and funds in the UN System, other international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to improve the representation of women in their respective organizations and to improve accountability and assess the broader applicability and relevance of these initiatives for the UN System. Develop and circulate recommendations. Maintain a database of good practices.

• Assist in the program planning and reporting of the work of the unit including the development and monitoring of work plans and budgets and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting;
• Assist in the selection, orientation and supervision of support staff and interns.

The results of the work of the Inter-Agency Coordination Specialist impact the effectiveness of UN Women’s support to the UN System in meeting the gender balance goals and improving accountability.

Competencies

Core values and Guiding principles:

Integrity:

• 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.

• 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.

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

• Build support for the organization and ensure political acumen.

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

• Build and promote effective teams. Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

• Create and promote an environment for open and effective communication.

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

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

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

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

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;
• Effectiveness orientation and pro-activity;
• Ability to leverage information technology for optimal performance;
• Excellent skills in data research and statistical analysis, as well as demonstrated knowledge in qualitative and quantitative monitoring;
• Demonstrated skills in organizing large inter-agency/inter organization meetings, preparing reports, keeping records, follow-up etc.;
• Demonstrated skills in the use of Knowledge Management (KM) strategies and practices.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a social sciences, economics, gender studies, or other development-related fields.

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in an international environment;
• Demonstrated engagement with gender issues including research, writing and data compilation and analysis of relevance to broad accountability frameworks and its multiple dimensions including the representation of women;
• Knowledge of inter-agency affairs;
• Some experience in Knowledge Management (KM) preferably in the field of gender.

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
• Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment;
• Previous applicants need not reapply as their previous submissions will be considered.

Note:

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.