UN WOMEN Jobs - 3799- External Relations Advisor

External Relations Advisor

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

200 Series

Starting Date :

21-Apr-2008

Application Deadline :

03-Mar-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

L-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) seeks a senior professional to support its external relations strategy in order to strengthen understanding and support for work on gender equality and women's empowerment in the inter-governmental bodies - the UNDP-UNFPA Executive Board and the UN Commission on the Status of Women - and will also support UNIFEM's cooperation with its Consultative Committee. The Advisor will also cover other inter-governmental processes that are relevant to efforts to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.

The position will report to the Outreach and Business Development Advisor of UNIFEM and provide advice to the Directorate, to the Senior Management Team and to UNIFEM colleagues in field-based programme offices about the policy and programmatic issues being discussed in the inter-governmental arena.

Duties and Responsibilities

The External Relations Advisor will undertake four sets of responsibilities:

Analysis:

Provide ongoing and up-to-date analysis to UNIFEM of the inter-governmental deliberations on development issues and on the implications of these debates on gender equality.
On a consistent basis, provide concise and focused written and verbal briefings to UNIFEM colleagues on the key trends, opportunities and challenges emerging in the inter-governmental arena related to UNIFEM' key areas of focus: e.g., economic security and rights; ending violence against women; HIV/AIDS; democratic governance; peace and security.

Coordination:

Liaise and coordinate with the Secretariats for relevant inter-governmental bodies to ensure that UNIFEM is delivering on its responsibilities (e.g., presentations tot the Executive Boards, CC, etc.)
Lead the Organizations' effort to prepare for inter-governmental and CC meeting, including by briefing the Management Team and staff, organizing briefings with programme and donor countries, ensuring that UNIFEM's key partners are well informed, and other tasks.

Advocacy:

As needed, support UNIFEM sections and staff to conceptualize and organize special events in inter-governmental arenas in order to highlight key issues, opportunities and practical experiences for advancing gender equality.
Organize regular meetings with Member States to ensure that they are fully briefed on opportunities and challenges related to strengthening gender equality and women's empowerment in through inter-governmental processes.

Reporting:

Undertake and/or oversee preparation of the key reports that UNIFEM is committed to preparing for inter-governmental processes: e.g., the Secretary General's annual report on UNIFEM; the report on the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women for the Commission of the Status of Women and the Human Rights Council, etc.

Competencies

Functional

Ability to produce concise and easy-to-understand text on complex issues
Proven track record in building productive working partnerships with decision and policy-makers.
Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and implement partnership strategies, including orchestrating strategic interventions with civil society organizations, to influence intergovernmental and inter-agency processes
Strong background in development cooperation issues and familiarity with the functioning and organizations of the United Nations and its inter-governmental processes.
Familiarity with UNIFEM
Excellent networking skills; ability to develop and mobilize support on behalf of UNIFEM
Knowledge and strong understanding of gender issues

Managerial/Behavioral:

Excellent communication and presentation skills; articulate in public speaking scenarios, and ability to engage others with authority and credibility
Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including top management;
Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners;
Ability to manage multiple sources and extensive volumes of information, and perform a range of tasks in an efficient and timely manner
Able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible manner
Excellent negotiating skills;
Promotes knowledge and information sharing;
Capacity to see the shared interests of disparate groups and to advocate these interests convincingly to all those concerned

Required Skills and Experience

Masters in international relations, development studies, gender studies, social sciences or any related field
The candidate will require at least 10 years of senior level experience including providing analysis and policy guidance on issues related to development cooperation; experience in developing countries preferred
Particular preference will be given to individuals who have worked in a senior level post focused on gender equality and women' human rights and those who have been involved in such processes and the Fourth World conference on Women, CEDAW reporting or other inter-governmental processes focused on women's empowerment and rights.
Fluency in English is required and ability to speak at least one other UN language is strongly preferred.