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 center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Strategic Partnership Division (SPD) is responsible for proactively driving the strategic positioning of UN Women so that the size, sources and predictability of its resources help the organization achieve its strategic goals. Given the scope and interrelationships of SPD’s functional responsibilities, the work of SPD is highly synergistic, involving constant and direct interaction and information-sharing among team members, to provide high quality advice, services and support to UN Women.

The consultant will work with the Private Sector Section in the development of a UN Wmen framework for engaging with the private sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

  • Develop a streamlined and adaptable due diligence policy for ensuring that
    • engagement with private sector is undertaken in line with existing ethical standards, criteria and policies
    • the organization is equipped with the necessary knowledge base to assess and manage potential ethical and reputational risks involved, and that it is able to adequately manages those risks,
    • it identifies opportunities and leverages the capabilities of the UN System
  • Develop a subsidiary procedures, guidelines or other tools including risk management and mitigation, to implement the policy

  • Develop complementary oversight, tracking and monitoring systems to track and analyse data, and ensure compliance, support systemic improvements and sound management decision making

  • Provide technical advice to ensure robust knowledge management, including data quality assurance of the customer relationship management (CRM) database when available.

  • Identify and development risk management and mitigation tools that synergize with and leverage existing mechanisms, including the Enterprise Risk Management Framework

  • Develop implementation plan including change management, decentralization and delegation process, communications, training and awareness, and oversee phased implementation

  • Provide tools to promote knowledge in UN Women of the applicable framework and related policies and compliance therewith; Prepare and facilitate training for staff and managers

  • Provide advice on how to monitor and oversee compliance with policy framework, identify and advise on areas where changes may be warranted to strengthen its effectiveness and efficiencies

 

Deliverables:

  • Detailed work plan

  • Final Draft UN Women due diligence policy on engaging with private sector partners, including requisite consultation with all stakeholders

  • Final draft of subsidiary procedures, guidelines or other tools including risk management and mitigation, linked to existing oversight and risk management systems

  • Proposed Implementation plan including recommendations on change management, decentralization and delegation process, communications, training and awareness

  • Provision of advice to the supervisor on the phased implementation leading to organization-wide roll out and implementation

 

Competencies

Core Values:

  • Respect for Diversity
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism

Core Competencies:

  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
  • Accountability
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Effective Communication
  • Inclusive Collaboration
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Leading by Example

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

  • Post graduate university degree in law, public policy, business administration. At least five years of experience in relevant fields can be considered in lieu of advanced degree. Another relevant post graduate degree with at least five years of experience in relevant fields can be considered in lieu.

  • At least 4 years of experience in the development of high quality, polished internal policies and communication products targeted at private and corporate audiences, preferably in the UN or international development arena.

  • Experience with corporate due diligence and evaluation highly preferred.

  • Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Proven experience in risk management and risk mitigation, compliance and implementation of internal control systems is highly preferred.

  • Direct experience in developing and implementing risk management strategies and communication and media plans a plus.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to capture key points and actions in succinct formats for a variety of audiences.

  • Understanding of corporate engagement dimensions and frameworks within the UN is a plus.
  • Understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues is an advantage

  • Computer literacy in standard applications is mandatory (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, etc.).

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