Chief of the Executive Board Secretariat

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It operates globally, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, promoting women's rights, and ensuring gender equality in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women leads and coordinates efforts within the United Nations system to translate commitments on gender equality into action, providing leadership and building partnerships with civil society and other stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Chief of the Executive Board Secretariat at UN Women is responsible for providing strategic leadership and executive direction for the organization's engagement with its Executive Board. This role involves serving as the principal architect of UN Women's intergovernmental strategy, managing Executive Board relations, and establishing governance operations standards. The Chief will advise the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director and the Executive Leadership Team on politically sensitive matters, oversee intergovernmental negotiations, and manage communications with Executive Board members. The position requires a deep understanding of gender equality issues and the ability to navigate complex political dynamics to advance UN Women's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the UN Women Executive Board, directing the organization's positioning with Member States and managing governance strategies.
• Serve as the primary interface between the Executive Board Bureau and UN Women leadership, resolving matters related to the Executive Board.
• Lead the planning and execution of official Executive Board sessions, ensuring compliance with procedural rules and effective organization of meetings.
• Maintain comprehensive records and administration for the Executive Board, including contact details and documentation of sessions.
• Uphold legal requirements and ensure quorum during sessions, while providing updates to ECOSOC on contributing countries.
• Direct the maintenance of the Matrix on Executive Board Decisions and manage communication with Board members.
• Represent UN Women in inter-agency governance forums and coordinate joint activities with other UN agencies.
• Oversee the development and quality assurance of Executive Board documentation, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities.
• Manage the Executive Board Secretariat's operations, including financial and human resource planning, and team development. 1
• Advise and support the Advisory Committee on Oversight, ensuring alignment with governance requirements and facilitating senior-level engagement.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in gender issues, political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, social science, or related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in development, law, policy analysis, or related areas, including managerial leadership, is required.
• Experience in UN intergovernmental processes, particularly regarding gender equality and women's empowerment, is essential.
• Proven experience in leading intergovernmental processes at senior levels and influencing high-level policy decisions is required.
• Strong public speaking and managerial competencies are necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as gender studies, political science, international relations, or social sciences. A first-level university degree may be considered if accompanied by additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
The position requires at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, including development, law, policy analysis, and gender equality. Candidates should have substantial experience in UN intergovernmental processes and a proven track record in leadership roles within these contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a senior leadership role within UN Women, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment. The role may involve international recruitment, and candidates should be prepared for rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, and all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs.