About The Position
The Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary-General/Deputy Executive Director (ASG/DED) for Normative Support, UN System Coordination and Programme Results provides timely analytical information, coherent policy advice, and substantive, technical, coordination, and administrative support. The role supports the ASG/DED’s representation, decision-making, strategic management, and oversight responsibilities in a sensitive and challenging environment, requiring discretion and the ability to work under pressure. The Special Assistant coordinates the ASG/DED’s interactions with UN entities, divisions, field offices, partners, and stakeholders; manages the ASG/DED’s agenda and engagement priorities; prepares and follows up on meetings, missions, and corporate initiatives; and provides policy inputs, research, briefings, speeches, talking points, reports, and correspondence. The role monitors critical issues, tracks directives, supports organizational reporting deadlines, and provides logistical and protocol support for official engagements and travel. The incumbent leads the Front Office team, consisting of one General Service staff member and affiliate personnel (consultants and interns), where applicable. The position may also perform other duties within its functional profile as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Requirements
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, political science, international relations, business administration or management, public administration, or a related field; alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
- At least 7 years of progressively varied responsible experience with international organisations.
- Experience preparing speeches and presentations for senior management.
- Previous experience supporting head office management and coordination functions.
- Fluency in English.
- Strong planning, goal-setting, prioritization, and organizational skills.
- Excellent skills and substantive knowledge in gender equality and women's empowerment.
- Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity, and diplomatic skills.
- Well-developed people management skills.
- Ability to provide information, tools, and resources to support work achievement.
- Effectiveness orientation and proactivity.
- Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques, and tools for optimal office performance.
- Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, including excellent drafting skills and the ability to edit and clear reports, speeches, and correspondence.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy, including comfort handling external relationships at all levels.
- Ability to work in a highly pressured environment.
- Strong sense of responsibility, confidentiality, and accountability.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working on gender equality, women's rights, and international development cooperation.
- Experience working within the UN System.
- Knowledge of another official UN language: French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Provide coordination and technical support to the ASG/DED in interactions with other UN entities, working closely with liaison staff of senior officials.
- Process and/or prepare the ASG/DED’s participation in meetings, missions, and key events.
- Manage the ASG/DED’s agenda, track important events and meetings, and advise on priorities and critical engagements requiring the ASG/DED’s presence.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination with Divisions, Sections, field offices, partners, and stakeholders.
- Assist with the preparation and follow-up of meetings and key corporate initiatives.
- Maintain close contact with the Executive Director’s Office and the Office of the DED/ASG for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships; bring matters requiring the ASG/DED’s attention forward and formulate options for handling and follow-up as directed.
- Provide substantive and technical support, including sound policy inputs, to facilitate the ASG/DED’s representation duties.
- Identify, research, analyze, prepare, and organize information and briefing materials to support decision-making and leadership in management and representation duties.
- Prepare outlines, draft papers, speeches, and talking points, and provide briefing and research materials for the ASG/DED’s engagements.
- Draft, clear, and edit speeches, reports, correspondence, briefing documents, statements, papers, and policies.
- Establish a system for timely monitoring and analysis of critical issues for the ASG/DED’s review and action.
- Ensure timely follow-up on the ASG/DED’s directives and effective dissemination of relevant information to senior management and other staff.
- Support the ASG/DED in the strategic management of the pillar under her oversight.
- Assist in meeting deadlines for organizational reports.
- Participate with the ASG/DED in public official engagements, including within the UN System; maintain liaison across UN Women sections, assess whether adequate representation is present, and ensure protocol arrangements are in place.
- Manage planning and organization of the ASG/DED’s official travel, including timely preparation of travel files and background documents by relevant divisions and units, and prepare or ensure preparation of official travel reports.
- Lead the Front Office team, consisting of one GS staff member and affiliate personnel (consultants and interns), where applicable.
- Perform other duties within the functional profile as needed for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
