Background:
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
The Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division (PPID) provides global support to UN Women offices at Headquarters and in all field locations to deliver results in support of UN Womenโs Strategic Plan 2026-2029ย and internationally agreed goals on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Division provides intellectual and strategic leadership on normative support and the delivery of integrated policy and programme advice, including through policy analysis and gender mainstreaming. The Division leverages innovation, knowledge management, and cutting-edge technical expertise to support UN Women programmes and to build the capacity of partners to deliver results on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
The Intergovernmental Support (IGS) Section in PPID is responsible for leading UN-Womenโs strategic engagement with, and support for intergovernmental bodies and processes towards ensuring that a comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality, the human rights and the empowerment of all women and girls is strengthened and implemented. It manages and coordinates the Entityโs substantive engagement with intergovernmental bodies on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and supports the process of integration of normative frameworks into UN Womenโs operational and UN system coordination functions.
Theย Intergovernmental Policyย Advisor on macro-economic policy and sustainable development supports the organization efforts to include gender equality and the empowerment of women at the core of two main processes: the advancement of the global development agenda andย engagement with normative intergovernmental processes with a particular focus on sustainable development, macroeconomic policy questions, financing for development, eradication of poverty, food security and nutrition and other related development issues and processes.
Under the supervision of the Chief of Section,and in close collaboration with the Womenโs Economic Empowerment Section,theย Intergovernmentalย Policy Advisor is responsible forย leading and coordinating UN Womenโs engagement in intergovernmental policy processes related to 2030 Agenda and SDGs including technical support to Member States for development of normative agreements, reviewing and reporting on implementation for accountability, multi-stakeholder consultations and mobilizing expert inputs. He/she provides technical advice and support to country and regional offices on intergovernmentalย processes, through strategy development, thematic reviews, tools for capacity building and channels for knowledge sharing and prepares documentation for UN normative intergovernmental processes; and collaborates with Thematic Sections on studies, reports and content for policy advocacy.
Key Functions and Accountabilities:
1. ย ย Substantive support to intergovernmental processes and policy development
Provide substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Commission on the Status of Women, Economic and Social Council, HLPF, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate and prepare analytical summaries of debates, supporting negotiations and analyzing/compiling outcomes.ย ย Prepare substantive input into and help coordinate the development of analytical reports to contribute to the Secretary-Generalโs mandated reporting to intergovernmental forums. Support the implementation of resolutions, decision and other directives in relevant areas of focus, including through support to expert bodies created by intergovernmental forums. Provide inputs in international fora to help shape development of global and regional policies, norms and standards and implementation strategies.2. ย ย Strategically engage with a range ofย Macro-economic and Sustainable Development related intergovernmental processes and stakeholders on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls:
Lead the development of corporate intergovernmental positions and strategies in the thematic area assigned Provide strategic and technical advice and substantive guidance, and develop and present evidence and rationale for the integration of gender perspectives in select thematic and sectoral areas under consideration in an intergovernmental context. Engage with intergovernmental processes and advocate for the inclusion of gender perspectives in their preparatory processes, meetings and outcomes, including through tailored key messages, good practices and lessons learned. Build and maintain effective interactions with Member States and mobilize their support for UN-Womenโs mandate and priorities, and provide advocacy for corporate positioning. Develop tools, guidelines and manuals on intergovernmental processes related to the thematic area, for use by UN Women country offices, the UN system, and other partners. Oversee, develop proposals and manage projects/studies with respect to intergovernmental processes global/ thematic gender equality policies and programmes or other relevant interventions. Contribute to the preparation of UN Womenโs flagship reports that support intergovernmental policy advancement.3. ย ย Monitor trends, provide policy analysis and technical advice and guidance on mainstreaming gender perspectives in intergovernmental processes for sectoral areas:
Review, assess and monitor trends in the integration of gender perspectives in the follow up and review processes at national, regional and global level of key intergovernmental results such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries, among other outcomes; Develop guidance and tools on strengthening attention to gender perspectives in follow-up and review processes, and in support of implementation of the global normative framework at national level; Provide policy and strategic supportย in the thematic intergovernmental related areas to Regional Offices, Multi-country Offices and Country Offices for the development and implementation of programmes, country strategies, and knowledge products to support intergovernmental processes related to the 2030 Agenda, including VNRs; Prepare and finalize briefing notes, statements and advocacy messages, and contribute to corporate reports in assigned areas of focus; Plan, organize and substantively service ad hoc expert group meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops and similar gatherings, including identification and determination of major issues for discussion and selection of participants, development of background documentation, preparation of reports and policy recommendations, and dissemination of results of such meetings4. ย ย Knowledge generation and capacity building
Contribute substantively to the knowledge management and development of capacity of UN Women Programme staff on intergovernmental engagement in the thematic area Contribute substantively to the development/expansion of knowledge management strategies and methodologies in the sustainable development framework and SDGs intergovernmental processes. Engage in existing thematic and gender equality networks to better connect UN Women and partner work and promote learning and innovation. Contribute to the internal flow of information throughout the organization on intergovernmental related policy and technical issues. Maintain and ensure quality of content for โfocus areaโ for UN Women guidelines, tools and other materials.5. ย ย The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads a team of 1 person, which includes a P2 that directly reports to her/him.ย
Competencies :
Core Values:
Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
Functional Competencies:
Substantive knowledge and experience related to current policies and practices in intergovernmental processes. Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience. ย Strong communications skills, with proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing policy and programme documents for development practitioners Proven analytical and problem solving skills Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance. Good planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills. Effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and NGO partners. Proven track record of excellent management and technical leadership skills and ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.Recruitment Qualifications:
Education and Certification:
Masterโs degree (or equivalent) in development related disciplines, gender issues, economics, public policy, law or other social science fields directly related to the thematic area of the post.ย A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A programme or project certification in this area of work would be an added advantage.Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, demonstrating intellectual, strategic, and managerial leadership in areas including policy analysis, gender equality, social development, human rights, sociology, and institutional governance, with at least seven years of experience directly related to the thematic area of the post. Proven knowledge of and experience with United Nations intergovernmental processes, including support to governing bodies, legislative mandates, and intergovernmental negotiations. Prior professional experience within the United Nations system or other international or intergovernmental organizations is highly desirable.Languages:
Written and oral proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN working language is desirableStatements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.