Senior UN Advocacy Advisor - Temporary Cover

IPPF • Washington, DC

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary-cover role supports IPPF’s political advocacy work at the United Nations in New York. The postholder will implement advocacy activities to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights and reproductive justice (SRHRJ) and gender equality, strengthen the normative SRHRJ framework, and build national commitment to SRHRJ, particularly through UN processes in the first half of 2027. Working within the External Relations - Global Unit and in line with Strategy2028, the postholder will collaborate with civil society, member states, and UN agencies to translate normative standards into progressive policy and programme changes.

The role involves cultivating intergovernmental and UN partnerships, identifying and coordinating advocacy opportunities and strategies, supporting civil society coalitions and IPPF’s global advocacy capacity building, researching and writing policy papers, and sharing strategic information with colleagues worldwide. The postholder will represent IPPF at international, civil society, and UN meetings as requested. The role has no management responsibility and requires the right to work in person in New York. The assignment runs from 1 January to 15 June 2027.

Requirements

• Expertise developing advocacy initiatives that yield results in the international development arena; SRHRJ experience is desirable.
• Thorough knowledge of UN structures and processes; knowledge of national government structures and processes is desirable.
• Experience working in and with non-governmental organizations and in coalitions.
• Familiarity with sexual and reproductive rights, reproductive justice, intersectionality, and women’s and girls’ rights.
• Experience managing restricted grants.
• Knowledge of political realities concerning SRHRJ, women’s rights, and gender equality across varied global contexts.
• Solid knowledge of agreed international language on gender, women’s and girls’ rights, and SRHRJ, as well as human rights instruments and mechanisms.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and influencing skills, including the ability to interact with diverse groups and negotiate effectively.
• Strong commitment to and understanding of human rights, including SRHRJ, women’s right to choose including abortion, bodily autonomy, gender equality, and population and development issues.
• Ability to reflect on personal culture and privilege, relate positively to people from different backgrounds, and act with awareness of power and care in dealings with others.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to summarize and simplify complex policy information accessibly.
• Good IT skills, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent time-management, organizational, and administrative skills, including ability to meet overlapping and tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team.
• Excellent writing and communications skills.
• Fluent English.
• Right to work in person in New York; a work visa and ability to work in person in New York are required.
• Understanding of and commitment to safeguarding in local and international contexts.
• Ability and willingness to work in a diverse, multicultural, multilingual, and intergenerational environment that is anti-racist and respectful of others.
• Commitment to intersectional feminism and sexual and reproductive health care, rights, and justice, including safe abortion; support for people’s rights regardless of sexuality or gender identity or expression, and for workers’ rights and access to health care in sex work.
• Agreement to sign and adhere to IPPF’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding (Children and Vulnerable Adults) Policy.

Nice To Haves

• Diplomatic experience.
• Willingness to travel internationally, approximately 10% a year.
• Proficiency in another UN official language, particularly Arabic, French, or Spanish.
• Database skills.
• Knowledge of national government structures and processes.
• Experience in SRHRJ advocacy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of the External Relations - Global Unit to promote, position, develop, and grow the work of the Federation.
• Support implementation of UN advocacy activities in New York.
• Nurture and maintain strategic intergovernmental and UN-based partnerships, strengthening relationships among cross-regional member states and IPPF’s connections and influence.
• Position IPPF as a proactive SRHRJ leader responsive to urgent issues affecting SRHRJ.
• Identify opportunities to raise awareness of SRHRJ, gender equality, and IPPF’s work at the UN in New York; develop, implement, and coordinate related advocacy strategies for UN and other intergovernmental processes.
• Support IPPF’s engagement in civil society coalitions.
• Support the Federation’s global advocacy capacity-building efforts, including training on UN processes and negotiated language related to SRHRJ.
• Research and write policy papers on SRHRJ issues in collaboration with the MA Development and Impact Global Unit, as requested.
• Report and share strategic information and intelligence with IPPF colleagues around the world in a timely and strategic manner.
• Represent IPPF at international, civil society, and UN meetings, as requested.
• Become familiar with and follow the Federation’s Health and Safety Programme and Guidelines and the IPPF Safeguarding policy, helping ensure a healthy and safe working environment.
• Perform other related tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate by the supervisor.
• Adhere to safeguarding reporting and monitoring requirements, support a safe environment, and understand and advance IPPF’s anti-racism policies and objectives.

Benefits

• Meaningful work and an inspiring environment.
• Professional growth.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities worldwide.
• Opportunity to work on a global scale and contribute to change and innovative approaches.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed