Overview
The Special Assistant to the Executive Director provides high-quality advisory services on issues related to the Executive Director's strategic priorities, supporting the overall executive direction and leadership of UN Women.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise on and assist in the elaboration of the Executive Director’s strategic priorities.
- Provide coordination across different internal and external divisions and stakeholders.
- Lead or support special corporate initiatives of the Executive Director.
- Review, prepare and/or organize information and materials for the Executive Director.
- Provide support on management and corporate strategic issues.
- Support corporate innovations and change management processes.
- Identify operational priorities for the Executive Director’s office.
- Prepare policy proposals, statements, and position papers.
- Analyze and anticipate potential risks in directives and procedures.
- Liaise with Member States, academic institutions, NGOs, think tanks and other civil society entities.
- Maintain networks and working contact with UN agencies, diplomatic missions, Executive Board members, government officials, multi/bilateral partners, civil society organisations and the private sector.
- Keep the Executive Director informed of opportunities for strengthening UN Women’s partnerships.
- Support the maintenance of strong partnerships with key actors.
- Provide strategic and technical advice and substantive guidance.
- Develop and present evidence and rationale for strategic partnerships.
- Advise on building and consolidating partnerships across the inter-governmental space, within the UN and across civil society.
- Oversee administrative functions supporting the Executive Director.
- Facilitate flow of information and communication between the Executive Director and relevant stakeholders.
- Review the Executive Director’s correspondence, delegate drafting and preparation of materials.
- Draft background notes, speeches, articles, and correspondence for the Executive Director.
- Review materials produced by UN Women Divisions and offices.
- Manage EDO colleagues providing support to the Executive Director.
- Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary.
Required Experience
- A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, preferably working on gender equality, and women's rights is required.
- Experience in policy and programmatic work in gender equality is required.
- Experience in gender and advisory positions is required.
- Experience in the management of complex units and situations is required.
- Experience working within the UN System at both a country/field level and in a headquarters setting is highly desirable.
- Experience working at a senior level in a front office is desirable.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent in gender, social sciences, public administration, business administration or related field.
- A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
