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.

Established by UN Women with the support of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) of the Republic of Korea in 2021, the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality is dedicated to supporting traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in realizing commitments to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the rights of women and girls through (i) gender capacity-building training programmes, (ii) research and support for production and use of gender data, and (iii) network building, partnership cultivation and advocacy as a leading gender training and knowledge hub in Asia and beyond. The UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality embraces innovation, including as it relates to new technologies and partnerships, to increase the breadth and depth of its work, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its transformative promise to leave no one behind.

The Director, Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality in the Republic of Korea, operates in a matrix management model, primarily accountable and reporting to the relevant UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific on UN Women-specific mandates, activities and results as well as Policy, Programme & Intergovernmental Division at UN Women Headquarters. Additionally, as a UNCT member, under the Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) of the UN development, the Director has mutual accountability for periodically reporting on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, formerly UNDAF). The Regional Director conducts the performance review of the Director whilst seeking inputs from the UNCT on the Director’s contributions as a UNCT member.

The Director is responsible for leading and managing the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality portfolio and for translating the UN Women's Strategic Plan (SP) in line with global, regional and national priorities, into development initiatives and results by developing, implementing and managing programmes and projects; and developing effective partnerships with Government counterparts, UN system agencies and organizations, civil society organizations, and with bilateral and non-traditional donors in order to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN reform, and mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. Three programme teams (training, research and partnerships) and one operations team will report to the Director.

1. Manage the strategic country programme planning and development

• Develop and implement strategic direction of the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality
• Lead the design, planning, formulation, preparation and development of the Country Strategic Note in close consultation and collaboration with the government, civil society, donors, UN system partners and the Regional Director, UNCT and other national development stakeholders and partners, taking into account national priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF
• Identify planning and programme needs, opportunities and approaches to strengthen UN Women country presence and relevance

• Provide strategic advice and leadership to UN Women’s Executive Director, Regional Director and Senior Management on the regional and country direction
• Manage and ensure the quality of results-based and rights-based programming for the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality
• Finalize the annual work plan and budget
• Lead the monitoring of the results-based management approach to programme planning and design
• Engage and collaborate with senior partners in the UN System

2. Manage the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality

• Lead the office in the delivery of operational goals; finalize the annual work plan and budget; and oversee the implementation, including providing direction, guidance and technical support
• Oversee and approve programme work plans and the optimum and appropriate allocation and use of resources; monitor the overall progress and compliance of the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality
• Implement and manage quality assurance of training and research in close collaboration with UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and Headquarters
• Manage the preparation of UN Women mandated country reports
• Manage the audit review process and timely response to audit reports
• Provide managerial direction, guidance and leadership. Ensure effective workforce planning and timely recruitments; Manage the performance of personnel under their supervision; provide ongoing performance and career development feedback, timely completion of performance assessments and coaching
• Ensure that personnel are familiar with and follow UN Women’s regulations and rules, policies and procedures in the Policy, Procedures and Guidance Framework (PPG); Ensure personnel are aware in particular or of UN Women’s standards of conduct including but not limited to policies and procedures on preventing, reporting and addressing misconduct, Fraud and Corruption, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and abuse of authority, Protection from retaliation, and ensure mechanisms are in place to support personnel in this regard
• Promote teamwork to ensure harmonization, linkages, collaboration and synergy; Ensure a respectful, inclusive safe and healthy work environment for personnel

3. Provide support to the Resident Coordination and serve as a member of UN Country Team

• Serve as member of the UN Country Team (UNCT) under the strategic guidance and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), if appliable, collaborate on and lead as needed UNCT programming and advocacy to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment issues are fully integrated into UN programming processes, including the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) planning, budgeting, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through UN results groups and respective joint workplans, and in an enhanced response to national partners;
• Partner with RC and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, collaboration, planning, cooperation, and harmonization of programming, advocacy, common services, and operations; Facilitate joint programming and promote UN competencies to advance gender equality and women’s human rights; report to the UN RC on these issues as required
• Actively engage in regular UNCT consultations and decision-making processes
• Actively engage in and contribute to UNCT strategic communications that advance UN system efforts and collective results to promote Agenda 2030, including for national goals and priorities for sustainable development to generate positive public support and ownership
• Ensure UN Women’s active participation in UN system thematic and other working groups to establish effective networks and keep abreast of ongoing debates and thinking on development
• Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF development planning and agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
• Ensure enhanced accountability of the UNCT on gender mainstreaming and works for with the RC and to on the implement the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard
• Participate in RC and UNCT members’ performance appraisal, as requested.

4. Represent UN Women and lead advocacy strategies

• Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums, public information/relations events and key meetings, participate in policy dialogue; discuss policy initiatives, report on progress achieved and/or present policy papers/ideas
• Build relations and partnerships with high level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies and NGOs; and participate in regional, country and other critical meetings and events
• Lead and support advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment to ensure that UN support towards realization of the national plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality

5. Create and maintain strategic partnerships and manage resource mobilization strategies

• Lead and oversee the development of resource mobilization strategies and manage the implementation of resource mobilization strategies, plans, and efforts
• Establish and maintain relationships with government, partners, stakeholders and donors to achieve active collaboration, cooperation and alliances on programme development and implementation and resource mobilization
• Finalize donor reports, and negotiate and/or approve cost-sharing agreements with donors; Establish reporting accountability framework to ensure that donors are duly informed on a timely basis

6. Manage and oversee knowledge management, innovation and capacity building

• Manage the development and implementation on the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality communication plans, based on UN Women’s communication strategy
• Approve the implementation of innovation and best practices in the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality
• Promote learning and development by providing opportunities for training and capacity guiding to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members
• Lead the production of knowledge products

7. Oversee safety, security and well-being of personnel, programmes and organizational assets

• Maintain and update the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality security strategy, plan, and measures to ensure full compliance with UN security policies, procedures and requirements.
• Serve as member of the Security Management team (SMT) and undertake relevant security and crisis management training. Guide and influence decisions and standards related to security of personnel, premises and assets
• Oversee the implementation of the Security Mainstreaming & Compliance and Business Continuity Management and Organizational Resilience requirements
• Ensure all personnel are made fully aware of safety and security procedures and policies and undertake mandatory training

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality development and implementation of the Country Strategic Note and Annual Work Plan
• Timely and quality delivery of operational goals
• Timely submission of UN Women Country Reports, donor reports and audit responses
• Quality and level of engagement with UNCT, including joint planning joint programming, joint resource mobilization,  joint advocacy, working groups
• UN Women is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by governments, donors and civil society
• Timely development and implementation of the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality resource mobilization strategy, resulting in sufficient resources to implement Strategic Note
• Performance of personnel, enabling work environment, security plans are in place and up to date, office produces quality knowledge products

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

Functional Competencies

• Affinity with UN Women’s mandate
• Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Excellent people management skills in a multicultural environment all backgrounds
• Results-oriented
• Ability to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all
• Leading, developing and empowering people
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and interact with high level decision makers
• Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment in country
• Knowledge and understanding of UN system and familiarity with inter-governmental processes
• Ability to envision and lead the strategic direction for UN Women in the country
• Excellent networking skills
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies
• Excellent diplomatic and written and verbal communication skills

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender/women’s studies, international development studies, public administration, public policy or other relevant social science fields is required
• 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:

• At least 15 years of responsible development or gender and women’s policy experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership preferably at the international level
• Experience in gender and women’s issues programming, preferably at the international level, preferably in developing countries
• Experience of work related with multi-cultural issues is an asset
• Experience in leading a team
• Experience working at the Government in the Asian Pacific region is an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of the local language (Korean) is a strong asset
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process 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.  Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)