Executive Board Secretary

• Leads strategic service provision to the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS
• Leads the efficient and effective management of the Executive Board Secretariat on behalf of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS
• Lead on Executive Board policy and strategy
• Provide high level strategic advisory support to UNDP senior management on all Executive Board matters

• Lead and coordinate preparations for all meetings of the Board and manage the official submission of all documentation and statements to be prepared by entities within UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS responsible for matters related to the Board, including Director of UNOPS, Office of the Executive Director of UNFPA as well as within the Executive Office of UNDP;
• Lead on the preparation of the annual work plan of the Board including the workplans for each session and calendar of informal consultations and briefings. Manage and supervise the work of the Documentation, Editorial and Translation Section to ensure high quality and timely preparation, clearance, processing, translation and distribution of all UNDP (including UNV, UNCDF and special UNDP initiatives) documentation, and coordinate UNFPA and UNOPS submissions of documents to the Board;
• Provide high-level strategic advisory services to the President of the Board and the Bureau of the Executive Board on all procedural matters in close collaboration with relevant UNDP senior managers. Provide advice to the President and members of the Bureau of the Board on all relevant UNDP matters during and in-between sessions. Organize meetings of the Bureau of the Board, propose agenda and solutions to various substantive, procedural and organizational questions pertaining to the business of the Board.
• Advise members of the Bureau of the Board on outreach strategy with regard to members of the Executive Board to ensure balance between regional groups and linkages between programme countries and donor countries on all decision-making processes at the Board;
• Lead on the structuring of the meetings of the Board to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness, identify main issues for discussion, consultation and decision and prepare notes for the President and all Bureau members accordingly;
• In collaboration with ExO leadership and all Bureau senior management, provide strategic advice on various programmes and organizational issues likely to be raised by Members of the Board, identify deadlock cases, facilitate liaison between various members so as to pave the way for consensus; and
• Lead on the organization and servicing of formal and informal meetings of the Board of UNDP (including UNV, UNCDF and special UNDP initiatives) UNFPA and UNOPS; ensure efficient logistical and administrative arrangements are in place for all the meetings of the Board; and lead on strategic follow up of all Executive Board requests.

• As part of the ExO senior team, lead on planning and managing the work and budget of the Secretariat of the Executive Board, supervise staff to achieve the outcomes sought, and contribute to cross-team collaboration and mutual learning upon delivery of all assigned tasks;
• Liaise with and advise UNFPA and UNOPS senior management with regard to organization of the informal and formal meetings of the Board and provide strategic advice regarding management of various meetings and consultations with the Bureau of the Board on the conduct of business of the Board regarding UNFPA and UNOPS; and
• Lead on the effective planning and organization of field visits by members of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board in coordination with UNDP’s regional bureaux concerned, with UNFPA, with UNOPS, with country office leadership and with the President and the Bureau of the Board.
• Lead on behalf of UNDP, on the coordinating with UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF, UN-Women and WFP on the organization of the Joint Field Visit of the Boards to ensure appropriate visibility of UNDP development activities in countries visited. Working with UNDP regional Bureaux and Country Offices concerned, provide substantive advice and information to the members of the Board on UNDP activities on the ground and promote the understanding of the role of UNDP at the global, regional and country level in advance of the Joint Field Visit. Organize the Joint Field Visit as required on a rotational basis.
• Lead on behalf of UNDP on the coordinating with UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF, UN-Women and WFP in the organization of the annual Joint Meeting of the Boards. Under the leadership of the Executive Board President and Bureau provide advice and guidance on behalf of UNDP on the joint definition of topics to be addressed. Ensure appropriate visibility of UNDP leadership, and coordinate internal preparations for intergovernmental engagement by UNDP leadership. Organize the Joint Meeting of the Boards as required on a rotational basis.

• Working with ExO leadership and in close consultation with BERA and the all UNDP’s Executive Group, lead on  the strategy of engagement with the Executive Board to continue improving Board oversight function and strategic guidance to UNDP 
• Provide strategic advice to and undertake dialogue with the members of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, and propose and implement strategies for substantive debates and consensual decision-making by the Board in support of and in promotion of the goals and programmes of UNDP;
• Lead on draft policy and position papers for consideration by the Executive Group regarding key issues to be discussed by the Executive Board;
• Discuss with members of the Board, the Bureau of the Board and ECOSOC in particular, policy orientation, objectives and annual work plan for the Board;
• Supervise the timely preparation of elements of draft decisions on major legislation and policy issues to support informed consensual decision-making by the Board.
• Lead on the diligent and timely follow-up to all Executive Board decisions including relevant Board or agency action on resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and ECOSOC.

• Provide regular strategic briefings directly to the Administrator, the Associate Administrator and other UNDP senior management on preparations for and expected outcomes of all meetings of the Executive Board to keep all UNDP stakeholders fully informed;
• Work with the other UNDP teams to identify critical and substantive issues to be addressed in policy papers to be prepared in preparation for, or as a follow-up to, debates and decisions of the Executive Board;
• Lead other policy work on external governance, strategy and accountability issues in relation to the Board;
• Provide strategic advice to the Administrator, the Associate Administrator and other UNDP senior management and contribute to/facilitate meetings with Regional and Central Bureaux and other relevant units within UNDP to identify key issues and discuss strategy to be adopted in UNDP policy papers to be submitted to the Board to achieve desired outcomes; 
• In coordination with other UNDP senior managers, develop strategies to discuss substantive content with heads of delegations and/or mission’s senior staff, and provide strategic feedback to UNDP leadership;
• Review outlines of key reports and papers prepared for the Board, provide quality assurance and advise on tone, approach, key messages, operational implications and clarification of issues for information, consultation and decision, and advise the UNDP leadership on key risks and substantive issues for delivery of anticipated results;
• Review policy content of papers to ensure consistency with Executive Board legislation;
• Lead on the continuous forward-looking strategy of UNDP’s engagement with the Board.

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Ability to persuade others to follow

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

• Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision and mission

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

• Knowledge of global institutions (such as the UN, IFIs), processes (such as G20 and various UN initiatives), good grasp of UNDP’s niche, and ability to engage and foster strong networks with those institutions.

• Ability to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue. 

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge. 

• Advanced university degree (Masters’) in International Affairs, International Relations, Public Administration, Law or related disciplines.

• Minimum of 15 years of professional work experience in a multi-cultural setting including with the United Nations system, with sound knowledge of UN/UNDP systems, procedures and policies. 
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the rules of procedure and legislation and their application of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board is required.
• Proven experience of leading and organizing UN high level meetings including in liaison with conference servicing and management and in undertaking follow-up actions to meetings is required.
• Proven experience in negotiation and relationship management with senior government officials and other stakeholders is required. 
• Experience with writing policy briefs and documents and providing policy advice in a UN setting is required.
• Experience of public speaking is an asset

• Excellent verbal and drafting skills in English required.
• Fluency in other UN language is highly desirable 

• Describe any additional qualifications:

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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