Protocol & Strategic Engagements Specialist, Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch, Office of the Executive Director (OED), New York, P-3

UNFPA•New York, NY

About The Position

The Protocol and Strategic Engagements Specialist is located in the Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch (PAAB) within the Office of the Executive Director (OED) and reports to the Chief, Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch. The Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch serves as the principal political affairs and Member State engagement capability for UNFPA’s executive leadership. The Branch provides political intelligence and strategic advice, coordinates executive-level engagement with Member States and other high-level stakeholders and supports political advocacy, diplomatic engagement and strategic outreach. The Protocol and Strategic Engagements Specialist supports the effective preparation, coordination and follow-up of executive leadership engagements with Member States and other external stakeholders. The Specialist provides substantive drafting and briefing support, coordinates protocol and engagement requirements for high-level meetings, events and missions and helps ensure that executive engagements are strategically prepared, effectively delivered and systematically followed up. The Specialist works closely with the Executive Front Office, Strategic Leadership Communications Unit, Executive Board Branch, Division for External Relations, regional and country offices and other relevant business units to coordinate inputs and ensure timely preparation and follow-up.

Requirements

Advanced university degree in (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) international relations, political science, diplomacy, communications, public policy, international development, law, public administration or another related field.
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations, political affairs, diplomacy, protocol, strategic communications, external relations, executive support or a related field.
Demonstrated experience preparing speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing notes, key messages and other materials for senior leadership.
Experience supporting high-level engagement with Member States, Permanent Missions, government officials or senior stakeholders in an international or multilateral environment.
Knowledge of diplomatic protocol and established practices for high-level official engagements, visits and events is required.
Experience coordinating complex high-level meetings, official events, visits or missions involving senior leadership.
Strong analytical, research, drafting and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into concise and audience-appropriate materials.
Experience coordinating across multiple organizational units and stakeholders under tight deadlines.
Fluency in English is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting engagement with external partners, including private sector entities, foundations, civil society organizations or non-governmental organizations, is desirable.
Experience preparing communications and media-related materials, including key messages, press lines, media briefs or event summaries, is desirable.
Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is highly desirable.
Knowledge of the United Nations system, multilateral processes and UNFPA’s mandate is desirable.
Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Responsibilities

Prepare speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing notes, messages, correspondence and other substantive materials for the Executive Director, Chief of Staff and other members of executive leadership.
Draft and coordinate briefing materials for meetings with Member States, government counterparts, senior United Nations officials and other external stakeholders.
Synthesize substantive, political and contextual inputs from across the organization into concise, coherent and audience-appropriate materials for executive leadership.
Contribute to the development of clear messages and narratives around UNFPA’s mandate, programme priorities and strategic initiatives for different audiences and engagement contexts.
Support the preparation of key messages, press lines, media briefs, event summaries and other communications materials related to executive engagements, in close coordination with the Strategic Leadership Communications Unit.
Review and edit materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, appropriate tone and alignment with UNFPA’s mandate, policies and executive priorities.
Support the preparation and follow-up of executive leadership engagement with Permanent Missions, Member State representatives and government counterparts.
Prepare background information, stakeholder profiles, meeting objectives, talking points and other materials to support bilateral and group-level engagements.
Support executive leadership engagement with external partners, including the private sector, foundations, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and other strategic stakeholders.
Coordinate inputs from relevant headquarters, regional and country offices to ensure that engagement materials reflect substantive priorities, political context and relevant country and regional perspectives.
Maintain records of key engagements, decisions, commitments and agreed follow-up actions and support timely coordination of next steps.
Contribute to maintaining institutional knowledge on executive-level relationships and engagements with Member States and other strategic stakeholders.
Provide protocol guidance and coordination in accordance with established United Nations practices, and appropriate arrangements for executive-level engagements and communication.
Coordinate preparation for high-level meetings, official events, ceremonies, receptions and other engagements involving Executive Leadership.
Prepare or coordinate agendas, programmes, scenarios, speaking orders, seating arrangements, protocol notes, biographies, participant information and other relevant materials.
Liaise with Permanent Missions, United Nations protocol counterparts, host governments, event organizers and other relevant counterparts on protocol and engagement requirements.
Coordinate closely with substantive, communications, security, travel and administrative colleagues to ensure that high-level engagements are appropriately prepared and delivered.
Support official visits by senior government officials and other dignitaries to UNFPA, ensuring coordinated substantive preparation, protocol arrangements and follow-up.
Coordinate with regional and country offices, Permanent Missions, government counterparts, United Nations entities, external partners and other relevant stakeholders in preparing executive missions.
Monitor political, intergovernmental, partner and media developments relevant to UNFPA’s mandate, executive engagements and institutional priorities.
Prepare concise updates, summaries and briefing notes for the Chief of Branch and executive leadership on developments requiring attention or follow-up.
Monitor developments and public positioning relevant to planned executive engagements and flag potential sensitivities, opportunities or emerging issues.
Support the Branch in maintaining situational awareness of key Member State and stakeholder developments relevant to executive engagement.
Contribute research and analysis to political briefs, stakeholder mapping and strategic engagement planning.
Coordinate with relevant OED teams, headquarters divisions, regional offices and country offices to ensure that executive engagements and missions are prepared on time and supported by accurate and complete materials.
Track decisions, commitments, requests and action points arising from executive meetings, events and missions and facilitate timely follow-up with responsible business units.
Maintain effective systems for tracking executive engagements, briefing requirements and follow-up actions.
Anticipate upcoming requirements and identify gaps, dependencies or delays requiring attention.
Support coordination across relevant teams to ensure consistency between substantive preparation, political engagement, communications, protocol and logistical arrangements.
Perform other related duties as required by the Chief, Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch.