Head of Office

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda. The organization focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of women, merging the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that dealt with these issues. 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 has a significant presence in various countries, working closely with governments, civil society, and the private sector to realize national priorities on women's empowerment.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office for UN Women in China is responsible for leading and managing the China Office's program portfolio under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the global UN Women Strategic Plan. This role involves guiding UN Women’s partnerships with the Government of China to drive gender equality and women's empowerment, developing effective collaborations with various stakeholders, and ensuring the implementation of programs focused on women's economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, and enhancing south-south cooperation. The Head of Office operates within a matrix management model, reporting primarily to the UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific while also being accountable to the UN Resident Coordinator. The position requires strategic planning, program development, and effective management of resources to achieve the organization's goals in alignment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the strategic country programme planning and development, including the design and implementation of the Country Strategic Note in collaboration with government and civil society partners.
• Lead the China Office in achieving operational goals, overseeing the implementation of work plans and budgets, and ensuring compliance with UN Women regulations.
• Provide support to the UN Resident Coordinator and serve as a member of the UN Country Team, integrating gender equality into UN programming processes.
• Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums and advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Develop and oversee resource mobilization strategies, establishing partnerships with stakeholders and donors.
• Manage knowledge management and capacity building initiatives within the office.
• Ensure the safety and security of personnel and organizational assets, maintaining compliance with UN security policies.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, public administration, public policy, or relevant social science fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate excellent program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as strong people management abilities in a multicultural environment. They must also possess the capacity to develop operational plans and budgets, advocate for policy changes, and engage with high-level decision-makers.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as international development, public administration, or public policy is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. Project management certifications are a plus.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 15 years of progressively responsible development experience, including strategic and managerial leadership in international development cooperation. Experience in gender and women's issues programming at the international level, particularly within the UN system, is essential. Field-based experience with multicultural teams and a proven track record in leading and coaching staff in international settings are required. Proficiency in using office software and web-based management systems is also necessary.

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

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term appointment, and the incumbent will lead a team of 25-30 personnel, including senior management. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are based on qualifications and competence. 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.