Strategic Planning Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda aimed at promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Strategic Planning Specialist will play a crucial role in the development and implementation of UN Women's Strategic Plans. This position involves close collaboration with various divisions and regional offices to ensure that strategic planning processes are coherent, evidence-based, and aligned with the organization's Strategic Plan. The specialist will manage the Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting (PMR) policies and procedures, oversee the corporate results management system PRISM, and ensure effective communication of the Strategic Plan throughout the organization. The role requires a strong focus on strategic foresight, data analysis, and innovative approaches to enhance organizational effectiveness and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the development and implementation of UN Women Strategic Plans, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and business processes.
• Lead preparations for internal and external consultations related to the Strategic Plans, utilizing strategic foresight and data analysis.
• Support senior management in drafting and finalizing key reports, including the Mid-Term Review and director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director's Annual Report.
• Analyze findings from audits and evaluations to inform the preparation of Strategic Plans and reporting exercises.
• Coordinate materials for sessions with the Executive Board and monitor the implementation of their decisions.
• Collaborate with the Strategic Partnerships Division to communicate with member states and funding partners.
• Strengthen communication of the Strategic Plan within UN Women and with external stakeholders.
• Manage corporate resources on Strategic Foresight and ensure accessibility for all personnel.
• Oversee the management of the PMR policy and ensure timely revisions based on audits and evaluations. 1
• Lead the management of the corporate results management system and ensure data is updated and accessible through the Transparency Portal. 1
• Manage personnel under supervision, providing guidance and performance feedback.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent knowledge of strategic planning and Results-Based Management (RBM).
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision effectively.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to coordinate and communicate with various stakeholders transparently and inclusively.
• Excellent organizational skills for planning and executing strategies.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization to support strategic discussions.
• Strong presentation skills, particularly using PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Strategic Foresight methodologies.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines such as Social Sciences, Political Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, Gender, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation, international relations, or public administration is required. This includes at least 3 years of experience in gender equality and women's empowerment within the UN System, and at least 2 years of experience in coordinating consultation processes for strategic planning documents. Experience in using results management systems for strategic planning is also required, along with proficiency in office software packages such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Desirable experiences include engaging with the UN Executive Board and providing guidance to field offices.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification.