JOB VACANCY: SPECIAL ASSISTANT: DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR PROGRAMMES

Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline : 11-Feb-09
Type of Contract : 200 Series
Post Number : L-3
Post Level : L-3 (ICS-10)
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract : 1Year
Expected Duration of Assignment : 1 Year

Background
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is the UN women's fund, providing financial and technical support to assist countries to advance gender equality and women's empowerment in line with their national priorities and their commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. UNIFEM supports innovative and catalytic programmes, advocacy, and technical assistance related to women's human rights in countries throughout the developing world as part of the overall UN development cooperation system.

The Deputy Executive Director for Programmes is responsible for providing strategic guidance on programming in line with UNIFEM's Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011. The Special Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director for Programmes supports all of the responsibilities related to the work of the Deputy Executive Director and works as part of the Directorate team.

Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:

1. Backstop the Deputy Executive Director in her coordinating role in relation to the development, monitoring and reporting on the organization's Strategic Plan
2. Ensure that the office of the Deputy Executive Director for Programmes is managed effectively and efficiently to respond to programming and policy issues
3. Support the Deputy Executive Director for Programmes to represent UNIFEM in UN inter-governmental, inter-agency and external fora - including on behalf of UNIFEM's Executive Director

1. Supporting the implementation of the UNIFEM Strategic Plan (2008-2011)

* Coordinating/liaising with all other UNIFEM sections in relation to annual monitoring and reporting on the strategic plan, including in the development and testing of a computerized system to enhance UNIFEM's results tracking
* Working with the Institutional Development Advisor to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of the Programme Working Group and the regular updating or provision of programming guidance in response to staff priorities
* Supporting the Deputy to work with UNIFEM's Deputy Executive Director for Business Development and the Fund's geographic and thematic staff to prepare, review, ensure high quality standards, monitor and evaluate programmes and programme documentation in line with UNIFEM's overall strategy and operational policies
* Working closely with the Programme Assistant to ensure that programme documents for Programme Appraisal Committee (PAC) approval are of high quality, that PAC meetings are duly scheduled, and that PAC documents are revised according to PAC recommendations, signed, and posted on the intranet in a timely manner
* As needed, supporting the Deputy to oversee the preparation, review and presentation of key organizational reports -- including the annual Consultative Committee report and meeting, key meetings of the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board, donors reports, etc. - as well as to ensure that reports submitted by all UNIFEM sections to inter-governmental and other stakeholders meet high quality and results-based standards
* Backstopping all efforts of the Deputy - in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director of OBDS, and OBDT -- to identify, coordinate and secure core and cost-sharing resources in line with the projections in the UNIFEM Strategic Plan
* Working with the Deputy to initiate, manage and coordinate the Fund's response to bi-annual, organization-wide Strategic Planning Workshops (SPWs), as well as regional and thematic SPWs as required

2. Monitoring and responding to Programme and Policy Issues

* In coordination with the Special Assistants of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director for Organizational and Business Development, ensure that regular staff, management and programme meetings are organized with clear agendas, documented and that decisions are disseminated and followed up
* Work closely with the Deputy's Programme Assistant to ensure high-quality and rapid response to e-mail, telephone and written correspondence and an effective and efficient file management system
* Work with the Deputy's Programme Assistant to backstop the Deputy to ensure that all of the human resources actions that s/he is responsible for - from recruitment or approval of key programme staff, to staff reviews and workplanning - are undertaken in a timely, open and transparent manner and that related documentation is complete and up-to-date
* Liaise with Regional Section Chiefs, Programme Staff, and thematic Advisors to ensure smooth and timely flow of information and follow-up

3. Supporting the Deputy Director to represent the Organization in UN and external fora, including:

* UN inter-governmental activities: the UNDP-UNFPA Executive Board, the General Assembly, the Security Council, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and specific inter-governmental events, including at the regional level
* UN inter-agency activities, including the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), the inter-agency task teams on gender equality that UNIFEM chairs or participates in - including on the reform of the gender equality architecture - and specific inter-agency joint programmes at Headquarters and in programme countries where UNIFEM is involved
* Convenings and conferences of women's rights advocates, donors, and other partners in which the Deputy participates for joint strategy and programme development or to present UNIFEM's work and priorities
* Coordination of briefing materials preparation to support missions to donor and programme countries, as well as preparation of speeches, powerpoints and other public documents that the Deputy may have to present .

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:

* Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards
* Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNIFEM
* Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
* Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

* Encourages staff to share knowledge and contribute to Thematic Areas
* Develops knowledge in Thematic Areas
* Demonstrates strong communications skills, regularly providing helpful feedback and advice to others in the office

Development and Operational Effectiveness

* Strong skills in drafting, writing, and editing high-quality briefing notes, speeches, reports and programme proposals (samples will be requested)
* In-depth knowledge - through study or work - of at least one of UNIFEM's key areas of focus (governance, peace and security; economic security and rights; ending violence against women; the gender dimensions of HIV and AIDS)
* Proven knowledge of the principles and practices of results-based management and the programming cycle
* Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies
* Demonstrates strong IT skills

Management and Leadership

* Demonstrates excellent judgment, particularly with regard to being able to prioritize according to importance and urgency
* Highly organized, with particular ability in devising systems to ensure follow up
* Enjoys multi-tasking and managing several projects at one time
* Focuses on impact and result for the client
* Ability to work as a positive and valued member of task teams and demonstrates conflict resolution skills
* Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
* Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
* Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
* Displays high level of discretion

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

* Master's degree in gender or social sciences-related field.

Experience:

* A minimum of five years of professional experience, with at least 3 year experience working on women's rights and international development assistance programmes.
* Previous experience in supporting head office management and coordination functions an asset.

Language Requirements:

* Fluency in English and ability to speak at least one additional UN language.