Northern California American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

Summary:

Location: New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline: 08-Apr-09
Additional Category: Management
Type of Contract: 200 Series
Post Number: 42901
Post Level: L-3
Languages Required: English 
Starting Date: 25-May-2009
Duration of Initial Contract: 1 year
Expected Duration of Assignment: 1 year

Background:

The Gender Team is at the forefront of UNDP's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment. The Gender Team is part of the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) which provides policy advice and technical support to all of UNDP’s operations. The Gender Team works to implement gender equality as a core objective of UNDP through a two-pronged approach (i) mainstreaming gender in all core practices; and, (ii) dedicated interventions that empower women and promote gender equality. In order to advance their mandate, the Gender Team has recently finalized the UNDP Corporate Gender Equality Strategy 2008-11 which outlines in detail how UNDP will work towards gender equality in each of the goals and key results set out in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2008-11 (GES).

The Gender Team is responsible for: steering the organisation to achieve the goals outlined in the GES; for representing UNDP in global, regional and interagency fora; for leading UNDPs work with other agencies of the UN in the area of gender equality; for expanding partnerships for UNDP in the field of gender equality; for supporting the Administrator of UNDP in overseeing the realisation of gender parity and gender equality commitments within the organisation through the Gender Steering and Implementation Committee (GSIC) process; and for heading up initiatives such as the elaboration of training tools, policies, practices and programmes to support UNDP as an organisation in achieving its gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Gender Team within the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP), the incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Supports the Director in liaison with the Executive Assistant, ensuring appropriate and strategic representation at meetings and functions. Assist in resolving conflicting situations and ensure that all meetings have adequate representation from colleagues in GT and BDP.
• Researches, synthesizes, and drafts briefs, background documents and presentations for all meetings, seeking input from relevant colleagues in GT and BDP. Substantively review and critically analyze key documents for the Director to ensure all briefs and presentations are complete and accurate.
• Manages the Director’s communications, ensuring the timely and accurate flow of information between the Director and her staff, and between the Director and outside entities.
• Monitors the Director’s incoming communications, determining which matters are brought to her immediate attention and/or directing such correspondence to relevant staff members for action or information.
• Manages the Director’s outgoing communications, ensuring that responses are provided in a timely manner and deadlines are met based on inputs from relevant staff members and in line with established protocols.
• In cooperation with the Executive Assistant, ensures that relevant background materials and briefing notes are provided to the Director in a well-organized and timely manner for appointments, meetings, missions, teleconferences, etc.
• Attends meetings with the Director, ensures all follow up correspondence, notes to the file, and feedback to colleagues in GT is provided in a timely manner and that the Director’s commitments and agreements are appropriately reflected.
• Supports the Director in implementing a vision for the GT, delivering on its commitments, and following up on pending issues with senior managers for response/decision.
• Briefs the Director on sensitive issues and provide advice and guidance on issues for the Group’s decision to enable the Director to take fact-based, well-informed decisions.
• Provides the Director with other support as needed in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the Group, including providing briefings on critical issues, participating in substantive meetings, and following up as needed.
• Supports the Director and Practice Manager to ensure that the electronic workspace of the Core Management Team is accurate, well organized, up-to-date and user friendly.
• Liaises with GT and BDP staff, conveying information and/or requests from the Director for information, support and/or action in key areas.
• Liaises as needed with GT staff, other units within UNDP, and other organizations to ensure that the Director has necessary information to carry out her functions.
• Undertakes specific (ad-hoc) assignments for the Director of a substantive nature.

The key results have an impact on the efficiency of the unit. Accurate analysis and presentation of information and thoroughly researched and documented work strengthens the capacity of the Gender Team and facilitates subsequent action by the Director. The Special Assistant’s own initiative is decisive in effectiveness of the Director and thus on the functioning of the entire Group.

Competencies:

Communication:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization and is comfortable in handling external relations at all levels; Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy in internal as well as external relations in his/her role as Programme Specialist to the Director.

Professionalism:

• Capable of working in a highly pressured environment with extreme deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of logistical details, accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail; Exercises the highest level of responsibility and is able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Teamwork:

• Works well in a team to service all of GT and BDP as a whole; projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks to create an enabling environment for the meetings of the Director; Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback

Technical Skills:

• Able to draft well with the ability to edit and clear correspondence, speeches, briefings, etc. in English; French and or Spanish is an asset. Be able to concisely draft talking points for the Director as required; Excellent computer skills including IT. Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Willingly shares knowledge and experience and makes contributions to UNDP practice areas (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives); Actively develops deep understanding and experience in one or more knowledge areas, including process and/or substantive knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Gender Studies, a related field.

Experience:

• 5 years of program experience, with increasing independence, including 2 years work experience in a a gender related field, preferably in an international organization. Knowledge of UNDP programming arrangements, administrative procedures and knowledge management preferred.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent English language skills, including excellent drafting skills. Good working knowledge of another official UN language desirable.

To Apply:

Please apply ONLINE at: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=9342

Application Deadline: 08 April 2009.

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