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 Strategic Planning, Results and Effectiveness Division (SPRED) leads the integrated management of UN Women’s corporate strategy, including strategic planning, implementation, reporting, transparency, risk, audit implementation, and organizational performance. As the corporate custodian of organizational effectiveness, accountability and Results-Based Management (RBM), the Division ensures that planning, oversight, and decision-making processes are coherent, evidence-based, and aligned with the Strategic Plan (SP). By promoting a culture of accountability, SPRED supports UN Women to be transparent and results-driven, fostering trust, collaboration, and high performance. While advocating for strategic foresight and forward-looking management, SPRED supports UN Women to remain resilient, while championing innovation and continuous improvement across all levels.
The Strategic Planning Unit (SPU) within SPRED serves as the custodian of RBM, strategic planning, and data transparency. SPU leads the development and implementation of corporate policy, procedures, and guidance related to planning, monitoring, and reporting of Strategic Plan, Strategic Notes and Work Plans, ensuring coherence between organizational priorities, business processes and systems. SPU also manages the UN Women Transparency Portal and reporting to International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), as well as the new corporate system PRISM “Performance and Results Integrated System for Management”. PRISM is a key corporate internal system for implementing the Planning, Monitoring and Reporting (PMR) policy and procedures and managing for results, while the Transparency Portal serves as the external interface, publishing results and financial data generated from PRISM and Quantum.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of SPU, and in close collaboration with HQ Divisions and Regional Offices, the Strategic Planning Specialist will contribute to the development and implementation of UN Women Strategic Plans, and support the development of HQ and Regional Offices Strategic Notes and workplans. The Strategic Planning Specialist will also oversee the work associated with management of the Planning, Monitoring and Reporting (PMR) policies and procedures, corporate results management system PRISM, Transparency Portal and IATI publishing.
Key Functions and Accountabilities:
Manage the development and implementation of UN Women Strategic Plans
Lead the preparation for internal and external consultations and coordination for development, monitoring and reporting of UN Women’s Strategic Plans, with the use of Strategic Foresight, data analysis and new innovative inclusive approach throughout the SP cycle, in close collaboration with HQ Divisions and Regional Offices. Provide overall support to the Senior Management for drafting, revision and finalization of the SP narrative, Mid-Term Review (MTR) report and Executive Director's Annual Report (EDAR) narrative, and provide coordination support for its associated annexes, by ensuring overall quality and meeting corporate deadlines and requirements with the Executive Board of UN Women. Analyze and summarize key findings from audits, evaluations, other assessments, internal and external consultations, desk reviews, analysis of results and financial data, and other analytical work at the corporate level to feed into the preparation of contents of Strategic Plans as well as monitoring and reporting exercises of Strategic Plan. In close collaboration with the Executive Board Secretariat and relevant HQ Divisions, prepare and coordinate the preparation of materials ahead of formal and informal sessions with the Executive Board associated with Strategic Plan, and monitor the implementation of relevant Executive Board decisions. Document, analyze and summarize and share with the Senior Management key feedback provided and main takeaways from sessions with the Executive Board. In collaboration with Strategic Partnerships Division (SPD) and the Executive Board Secretariat, support senior management in communicating with member states and major funding partners on the Strategic Plan throughout the SP cycle, with talking points, presentations and other communication materials. In close collaboration with the Division of Communication and Advocacy, strengthen communication of Strategic Plan throughout the SP cycle within UN Women and with external stakeholders with a set of key communication products. Keep UN Women’s leadership informed of new developments regarding strategic planning practices and approaches within the UN System and beyond, to inform effective and efficient preparation of UN Women’s new Strategic Plan, Mid-Term Review and Reporting exercises. Support UN Women’s leadership and technical personnel in engaging in strategic reflections around challenges, risks, opportunities and innovative solutions. Manage and update corporate resources on Strategic Foresight ensuring the user-friendliness and accessibility to all personnel in UN Women to institutionalize the use of Strategic Foresight at all levels. Leads the content development, revisions and implementation of the PMR procedures on Strategic Plan, and leads the preparation of business requirements for the enhancement of PRISM associated with Strategic Plan and participate in User Acceptance Test.Coordinate the development and finalization of Strategic Notes and Biennial Workplans of HQ Divisions and Regional Offices ensuring the alignment with UN Women Strategic Plan, and support the monitoring and reporting processes
Support the preparation of cross-regional/divisional strategic discussions and consultations for development of Strategic Notes and Biennial workplans ensuring the alignment with UN Women Strategic Plan. Share summary of key findings from audits, evaluations, other assessments, internal and external consultations, desk reviews, analysis of results and financial data, and other analytical work to feed into the development and revision of Strategic Notes in line with UN Women’s Strategic Plan and to feed into annual reflections before work planning exercise. Support HQ Divisions and Regional Offices in applying Strategic Foresight tools for their Strategic Notes. Support review process of draft Strategic Notes and workplans from HQ Divisions and Regional Offices, by providing strategic and substantive comments ensuring the alignment with Strategic Plan. Support HQ Divisions and Regional Offices in their monitoring and reporting exercises of Strategic Notes and Workplans. Contribute to planning, monitoring and reporting of SPRED Strategic Notes and Workplans.Oversees the management and implementation of the Planning, Monitoring and Reporting (PMR) policy and procedures
Ensure synergies between the PMR policy and other relevant corporate policies. Ensure the timely revision and improvement of the PMR policy and associated procedures to address critical recommendations from audits and evaluations, adjustments that emerge from corporate system development and enhancement as well as to adjust to the UN system-wide changes. Ensure PMR policy and procedures as well as associated with annexes and training materials are updated and accessible to all UN Women personnel in a user-friendly manner. Act as the technical focal point within SPU to provide documentation and data associated with Strategic Plan and contribute to internal/external audits, corporate evaluations and other assessments associated with Strategic Plan.Oversees the management of corporate results management system, UN Women’s Transparency Portal and IATI reporting
Ensure UN Women’s corporate results management system (PRISM) is developed, enhanced and rolled-out to support the planning, monitoring, reporting and communication of Strategic Plan, Strategic Notes and workplans. Ensure UN Women personnel are supported in a timely manner to use the corporate system for planning, monitoring and reporting of their Strategic Notes and workplans. Ensure that results and financial data against Strategic Plan and Strategic Notes are regularly updated and accessible through UN Women’s Transparency Portal. Ensure that UN Women personnel and external stakeholders understand and use UN Women’s Transparency Portal for their needsLead and manage personnel under their supervision
Manage the performance of the personnel under the supervision by providing managerial direction, guidance and leadership as well as performance feedback and coaching. Ensure performance assessments are completed on time and identify learning and development opportunities to support personnel’s engagement. Ensure all personnel under their supervision are fully aware of UN Women’s workplace relations policies.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
Excellent knowledge of strategic planning and Results-Based Management (RBM) Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision Excellent writing skills Excellent analytical skills Ability to coordinate, collaborate and communicate with various internal and external stakeholders in a transparent and inclusive manner Ability to plan ahead and execute those plans in a very organized manner Excellent data analysis and visualization of key data points to support strategic discussions and decision-making Excellent presentation skills using Power Point Knowledge and familiarity with Strategic ForesightRecruitment Qualifications:
Education and Certification:
• Master’s degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, Social Sciences, Political Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, Gender, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation, international relations, public administration or a related field is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in working in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment at country, regional and/or global level within the UN System is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in coordinating and managing consultation processes at country, regional and/or global level for development of strategic planning document(s), (e.g. country programme/strategy, regional programme/strategy, corporate strategy, Strategic Plan, etc.) is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in coordinating and supporting the drafting and finalization of strategic planning document(s) (e.g. country programme/strategy, regional programme/strategy, corporate strategy, Strategic Plan, etc.) at the country, regional and/or global level is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in using results management system(s) for strategic planning processes and/or results management is required.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) is required.
• Experience in engaging with the Executive Board of the UN entity/agency, and/or Member States is desirable.
• Experience in providing guidance and technical support to the field offices for development of country programme/strategy and/or workplans is desirable.
• Experience in using Strategic Foresight to develop strategic planning document(s) is desirable.
• Experience in managing the development, revision and/or roll-out of policy and/or procedures at the country, regional and/or corporate level is desirable.
• Experience with managing and leading the development and/or roll-out of results management systems and/or tools at the country, regional and/or corporate level is desirable.
Languages:
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).
Statements :
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, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, 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 to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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.