JOB VACANCY : EXTERNAL RELATIONS ANALYST - (UN PARTNERSHIPS)

Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline : 18-Feb-09
Type of Contract : 200 Series
Post Number : L-2
Post Level : L-2
Languages Required : English
Expected Duration of Assignment:1 Year

Background
The Outreach and Business Development Team (OBDT) is responsible for proactively driving the strategic positioning of UNIFEM so that the size, sources and predictability of its resources help the organization achieve its strategic goals. A service center to UNIFEM HQ Sections and Field Offices, OBDT is organized into three functional clusters: Resource Mobilization, Partnerships, Communications and Advocacy. Given the scope and interrelationships of OBDT's functional responsibilities, the work of OBDT is highly synergistic, involving constant and direct interaction and information-sharing among team members, to provide high quality advice, services and support to UNIFEM.

Under the supervision of the Government Relations Manager, and in collaboration with OBDT colleagues, the UN Partnerships Specialist will contribute to the positioning and promotion of UNIFEM's strategic interests in inter-agency fora such as the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and its subsidiary machinery including the Inter-Agency Working Group on Programming Issues (WGPI), in collaboration with the Directorate; and working closely with the External Relations Specialist, will do so in key inter-governmental fora, including the General Assembly (GA) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Duties and Responsibilities
The staff member will focus on achieving the following results:

Inter-agency coordination

* As part of the inter-governmental team in OBDT, coordinate inter-agency engagement in collaboration with the Directorate and the Institutional Development Advisor.
* Participate in key inter-agency meetings, with a particular focus on the UNDG and inter-agency meetings organized by the ECOSOC.
* Ensure that UNIFEM senior management and OBDT colleagues, including the External Relations Specialist, are informed of the latest developments in the inter-agency arena so as to strengthen the linkage between UNIFEM's operational activities and inter-agency processes.
* Ensure that outputs of such engagement and processes are circulated to all relevant staff and sections.
* Identify and mobilize key strategic UN partnerships to enhance impact and influence the gender equality agenda.
* Identify and position UNIFEM to take advantage of smart opportunities to strengthen collaborations (e.g. joint programming; inter-agency agreements; project execution, etc.) with UN agencies, especially UNDP.
* Ensure that OBDT staff members working on donor reporting and relations are informed of new agreements and project modalities.
* Orchestrate strategic interventions to influence inter-agency activities.
* Develop materials and pitches to position UNIFEM for strengthened collaborations with UN agencies, especially UNDP.
* Manage the Secretariat functions of the UNDG Task Team on the Working Group on Programming Issues and ensure the implementation of its work plan in close collaboration with the WGPI Secretariat team.
* Provide advice, information, training and support to UNIFEM HQ units and field offices for effective UN partnership-building activities.

Inter-governmental coordination

* Monitor and prepare, in consultation with the Chief of OBDT, the Deputy Director for Programme and the Deputy Executive Director for Organizational and Business Development Services, high-quality submissions for inter-governmental bodies such as documents for the third committee of the GA and ECOSOC substantive sessions.
* Ensure that OBDT, including the External Relations Specialist and other relevant staff members are informed of key opportunities for advocacy and inputs to official documentation.
* Backstop the UNIFEM Directorate and the Organization and Business Development Services (OBDS) in the preparation of the UNDP-UNFPA Executive Board sessions. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the preparation of official UNIFEM documentation (including reports), and interfacing with the Executive Board secretariat.
* Identify opportunities to orchestrate strategic interventions by UNIFEM and its civil society partners into diverse inter-governmental processes/issues such as the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR), Indigenous people's issues, Violence against Women and trafficking.


Donor Relations

* Work closely with resource mobilization colleagues to support the partnership and resource mobilization strategies, campaigns and initiatives involving specific Member States, UN agencies and others.
* Identify opportunities from partner-specific intelligence, the competitive landscape and where UNIFEM's competency strengths overlap with partner/client needs.
* Undertake an analysis of key development and sectoral policies currently being discussed/ implemented and key donors willing to support these policies.
* Monitor overall implementation of specific agreements; maintain correspondence with donor representatives.
* Participate/organize and participate in regular liaison meetings/communication with donors according to respective donor focal point portfolio.

Competencies
Corporate:

* Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN/UNIFEM values and ethical standards,
* Promotes vision, mission and strategic goals of UNIFEM,
* Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability,
* Treats all people fairly and without favouritism.

Functional:

* Proven ability to plan and implement organizational strategies,
* Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with officials of Member States and counterparts in civil society,
* Very effective at multi-tasking,
* Excellent oral and written communications skills,
* Proven ability to position issues effectively, both orally and in writing,
* Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UNIFEM,
* Good negotiating skills,
* Financial Management skills,
* Strong IT skills, including ATLAS and office software packages,
* Knowledge and understanding of UN system,
* Familiarity with UNIFEM,
* Familiarity with gender issues.

Behavioral:

* Strong initiative-taker,
* Strong analytical skills,
* Focuses on impact and results for client,
* Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with client and external actors,
* Participates effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others,
* Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

* Master's degree in social sciences, public administration, business administration, international relations, communications, women's studies, or a related field.

Experience:

* A minimum of 3 years relevant experience at the national or international level, including experience within the UN system.

Language Requirements:

* Fluency in English (written and oral). Knowledge of at least two other official UN languages would be preferred.