Head of the Nordic Liaison Office

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. It consolidates the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to the mission of eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders. The organization engages with governments, inter-governmental actors, and private sector partners to promote gender equality and women's empowerment as integral to development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security.

Job Overview:
The Head of the Nordic Liaison Office will oversee external relations and manage the partnership portfolio for a group of countries including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic States. This role involves developing and implementing partnership, advocacy, and resource mobilization strategies to enhance UN Women’s engagement with government and private sector partners. The incumbent will work closely with various UN Women divisions and National Committees to ensure alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Women’s Strategic Plan. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and leveraging partnership opportunities, advocating for gender equality, and managing the overall operations of the Nordic Liaison Office.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of external relations and partnership strategies for assigned funding partners.
• Identify and implement resource mobilization strategies to increase both unrestricted and earmarked resources from public and private sector donors.
• Monitor global trends in development cooperation and revise partnership strategies accordingly.
• Advocate for gender equality and UN Women’s work with portfolio partners.
• Manage partnerships and resource mobilization activities to ensure financial targets are met.
• Act as the strategic interface between partners and UN Women.
• Facilitate high-level contacts with government officials and private sector entities.
• Negotiate funding agreements in line with UN Women policies.
• Represent UN Women in inter-agency meetings and liaise with other UN agencies. 1
• Capture and disseminate partner intelligence to promote effective engagement. 1
• Provide support to field and HQ offices on resource mobilization opportunities. 1
• Manage the Liaison Office’s workplan, budget, and operations, ensuring compliance with UN Women policies. 1
• Recruit and supervise staff, promoting a healthy working environment and supporting career development. 1
• Manage security requirements for the office.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in economics, business management, social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, women's studies, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Excellent knowledge of the political systems and key stakeholders in the resource partner countries.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to mobilize support from diverse resource partners.
• Proven advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with the UN system and inter-governmental processes.
• Strong financial and administrative management skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as economics, business management, social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, or women's studies. Alternatively, 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 10 years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, communications, advocacy, or business development is required. Experience working with international institutions and government partners is essential, while experience in gender equality issues and the private sector is considered an asset. Candidates should also have experience managing an office, including financial and administrative oversight, and leading and coaching staff in international settings. Proficiency in using office software and web-based management systems is necessary, with experience in modern ERP systems being desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in a Nordic language is considered an asset, and knowledge of another official UN language (such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is also advantageous.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves managing a team within the Nordic Liaison Office. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct. Background checks will be conducted on selected candidates, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.