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.

UN Women’s Civil Society Division (CSD) facilitates the participation of CSOs in intergovernmental processes on gender equality and women’s rights, in particular in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). CSO engagement and participation numbers in the CSW sessions and related processes have significantly increased over the past decade and are expected to further increase. The Civil Society Division is working with partners in the UN system and with civil society to strengthen inclusive and enabling environments for civil society, including youth to meaningfully engage in intergovernmental processes and normative frameworks, including through improved and innovative modalities. In line with the Pact for the Future, and the revitalization of CSW going forward, the position includes facilitating and strengthening civil society participation not only in CSW but also in other normative processes in support of the implementation of UN Women’s new strategic plan 2025-29. 

The position will facilitate CSW CSO participation, efficient procurement and logistical services, security management, and CSW-related ICT and common services consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. In addition to the work related to CSW, the CSO Intergovernmental Participation Specialist will support CSD with CSO participation in relevant intergovernmental and normative processes, including in humanitarian, human rights, health, climate and labour norm-setting fora, and will strengthen outreach and knowledge sharing platforms and modalities with civil society organizations and networks.

In the context of an evolving UN System, exploring innovative approaches for CSO access and participation modalities is a key function and will include close collaboration with the Indico.UN team and related UNOG and UNHQ NY offices working on improved CSO registration, access, and participation modalities, including hybrid and virtual modalities. Furthermore, the position will help to strengthen CSD’s work with ECOSOC accredited organizations and other key stakeholders and CSW/intergovernmental/normative-related networks and to be able to better support civil society and UN Women regional and country offices in relation to participation of CSOs in global intergovernmental processes such as the CSW and in accordance with the new UN Women strategic plan.

The CSO Intergovernmental Participation Specialist also fosters collaboration through information sharing within the Civil Society Division and with other relevant UN offices, adopting a client-oriented approach. The CSO Intergovernmental Participation Specialist works in close collaboration with the rest of the CSD team, providing guidance to staff ensuring knowledge of rules and procedures governing NGO participation in CSW and other intergovernmental fora. A key part of the position consists of closely working in an integrated manner and through ongoing interaction with the UN Women Intergovernmental Support Section. She/he works in collaboration with IT development and operations staff in UNOG Indico.UN service and UNHQ NY and relevant UN Women teams to successfully deliver effective key stakeholder participation in the Commission in the Status of Women and other relevant intergovernmental and normative processes.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the CSD Deputy Director, the CSO Intergovernmental Participation Specialist is responsible for all operational aspects of CSW civil society participation arrangements, including the improvement/innovation of these processes.

The CSO Intergovernmental Participation Specialist works in close collaboration with the Division’s Programme Specialist CSW, and with CSW teams in CSD, Intergovernmental Support Section (IGS)/Policy, Programme & Intergovernmental Division (PPID), UN System Coordination Division (UNCSD) and other relevant offices to ensure successful implementation of civil society participation arrangements for CSW. The CSO Intergovernmental Participation Specialist will work in close coordination with UN Indico team in Geneva, CSW technical Secretariat, the UN Department for Safety and Security, UN Women Security Services, UN Women Geneva Office, Regional Offices and the Executive Director’s Office (EDO).

Key Functions and Accountabilities

Manage the operations and explore innovations for CSW and other intergovernmental/normative process for civil society access and participation

• Serve as a member of the CSW Management team and provide advice and support to the Deputy Director Civil Society Division (CSD) and to the CSW Secretariat on operational issues related to civil society participation
• Work closely with the Indico.UN team in UNOG to explore and develop innovative modalities for improved CSO access and participation
• Develop the workplan for the CSD CSW team/project personnel and oversee its implementation and monitoring
• Participate in review meetings and assess the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners in collaboration with the programme and technical team

• Oversee all operations activities related to civil society access and participation in CSW and other intergovernmental and normative processes and ensure they follow rules, regulations, policies and procedures for ECOSOC accredited NGOs

Oversee CSO online registration and related information and communications technology (ICT) management and innovation

• Oversee the implementation of ICT systems and improvement/innovation of processes for CSW CSO online registration, including Indico.UN, the official conference registration system of the United Nations
• Liaise with UN DESA NGO Branch on ECOSOC accreditation data and process synchronization via the UN integrated Civil Society Organizations (iCSO) System
• Liaise with UN Indico team in UNOG for a secure, reliable online registration ICT infrastructure and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries
• Manage and oversee the overall CSW NGO online registration process, including troubleshooting and support to NGO representatives and UN Women regional and country offices, and ensure relevant CSW staff have access to Indico functionality for improved business results and improved client services

• Liaise closely with UNDSS on requirements for UNHQ access systems and oversee the preparation and handover of CSW registration data to UNDSS ICT office.

Collaborate with other UN Women offices on strengthening CSO participation in intergovernmental and normative processes

• Contribute to the engagement of women's organizations in relevant intergovernmental and normative processes, including in humanitarian, human rights, health, climate and labour norm-setting fora
• Contribute to outreach and knowledge sharing by managing email campaigns, website publishing, and providing other operational support related to intergovernmental and normative processes with civil society organizations and networks
• Provide expertise and relevant knowledge by contributing to evaluations, reports, and sharing best practices relating to CSW operations and NGO participation
• Manage the planning and implementation of hybrid and virtual participation modalities, in coordination with other UN offices
• Work with relevant UN offices to identify best practices and to create synergies related to the improvement of CSO participation modalities in intergovernmental and normative processes such as the CSW, the Human Rights Council, and others.

Serve as the focal point for security issues related to CSW CSO participation and in other intergovernmental and normative bodies where relevant

• Brief supervisor and staff on security matters related to NGO access and participation in CSW and disseminate relevant information as advised by UN DSS
• Ensure full compliance with UN ECOSOC accredited NGO participation procedures in security planning for CSW as well as with key stakeholders in other processes
• Manage UN Women’s support to UN DSS Pass and ID office for the onsite collection of CSW grounds passes leading up to and during the session
• Liaise with UN DSS on all security matters related to NGO access and participation in CSW and other intergovernmental and normative processes
• Liaise with UN Women Security Advisor and their designated staff members on all security matters related to NGO access and participation in CSW and other relevant intergovernmental processes
• Coordinate UN Women’s contribution to the UN DSS CSW Security Plan.
• Serve as focal point for information security, data protection and privacy for CSW registration data and liaise with Infosec and Legal teams in UN Women.

 Manage knowledge sharing between UN Women/CSW Secretariat and civil society

• Ensure knowledge and information about NGO participation modalities for ECOSOC accredited organizations is shared with civil society
• Manage the CSW NGO participation website using the UN Women enterprise web content management system
• Manage the digital outreach to CSO stakeholders and information-sharing with NGO representatives on CSW and other relevant intergovernmental processes using CSD’s email campaign platform
• Create multimedia tutorials and training materials for CSW NGO registration and participation processes

• Coordinate responses to relevant CSW-related requests from civil society and other stakeholders.

Provide high-quality technical and risk advisory support pertaining to CSO and key stakeholder participation in normative processes.

• Provide technical and risk advisory support to the division in support of UN Women’s normative mandate 
• Provide quality control and identification of potential challenges

• Explore avenues for improved civil society and key stakeholder engagement in intergovernmental and normative processes

Participate in inter-agency activities and support the Division’s strategic engagement

• Represent UN Women in inter-agency meetings and working groups on operations issues related to CSW and other intergovernmental and normative processes on CSO participation to ensure UN Women’s interests are reflected.
• Liaise with UN Secretariat and other UN agencies on operational issues, activities, and collaboration.
• Provide inputs to the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.
• Provide inputs to and support the Division's knowledge management and outreach activities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Division 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:

• Strong knowledge of UN intergovernmental processes related to gender equality and applicable civil society participation modalities
• Ability to provide guidance and support
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations
• Ability to handle confidential information
• Good negotiating skills
• Excellent IT skills, including databases, web publishing, Excel, and video-editing packages.

Education and Certification:

• At least an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international development, 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 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in conference management, conference operations or logistics, is required.
• Experience in working with civil society and international institutions in the context of intergovernmental or normative fora is required
• Experience in working with security and safety services within the United Nations or other large international organizations is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in using conference management/registration software packages, preferably Indico.UN is desirable
• Experience in managing public-facing websites using enterprise web content management systems, preferably Drupal is desirable
• Experience in working with Mailchimp campaign software and Adobe Creative Suite video editing applications is desirable
• Experience in servicing, implementing, and monitoring civil society participation in intergovernmental processes, preferably related to the thematic area, is desirable
• Experience in working with ECOSOC accredited organizations and intergovernmental bodies 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.