United States of America: Consultant Executive Officer

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 05 Dec 2014

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision of the Director of DOC, the Executive Officer will manage the Director’s participation in all external and internal events, including division-wide and interdivisional meetings; global and regional meetings; events with partners; public relations activities, and official visits. He or she will compile and prepare background documentation and briefs on key topics for the Director. He or she will assist with the planning of the Director’s long-term travel and in the coordination of schedules and travel of the Director, Deputy Director and Section Chiefs. He or she will prepare calendars and agendas for meetings, produce reports of meetings and follow-up on action points. He or she will conduct research and write special reports as needed.

Main Responsibilities

1. Collects, reviews, revises and prepares presentations and briefing materials for the Director, ensuring relevance, timeliness, completeness and appropriateness of content. Works closely with sections to ensure all parties have accurate information required to prepare briefings for the Director.
2. In consultation with DOC section chiefs, compiles background documentation and prepares briefing papers, talking points, speeches and presentations for the Director’s participation in external meetings and other events.
3. Assists with the planning of long-term travel of the Director in close cooperation with the Director and the Executive Assistant, and based on thorough review and discussion with colleagues and partners at all levels, on needs and opportunities for the Director’s participation.
4. Supports the Director and Director’s Office in reviewing and coordinating short- and long-term schedules and travel of the Director, Division Deputies and Section Chiefs. Alerts sections to scheduling conflicts or overlapping priorities and takes necessary corrective action to ensure coordination of travel.
5. Prepares, distributes and maintains the DOC management calendar, ensuring key divisional, organization and partner events, priorities and deadlines are reflected and updated as required.
6. Prepares agenda for Section Chiefs’ meetings to ensure sufficient time is allocated for priorities. Makes necessary adjustments to schedule based on changing demands and priorities. Documents action points and follows up to ensure their timely completion. Prepares weekly reports on DOC priorities and activities.
7. Conducts background research on a variety of communication topics, as required by the Director. Analyses information on such topics, presents findings and recommendations, develops issues briefs and /or reports, as requests. Gathers information on issues related to any UN and organization-wide meetings, conferences and initiatives. Ensure information is organized and conveyed effectively and clearly.
8. Provides general support to the DOC’s Director’s Office as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

· University degree in communication, public affairs, social sciences, international relations or other related discipline

· Five years’ work experience in a professional capacity in communication, external relations, public affairs or international development cooperation, preferably within the UN or similar organization, government or NGO

· Demonstrated ability to collect information, undertake research and present findings

· Communicates effectively in writing and verbally to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking

· Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment

· Sets high level of quality and productivity for self

· Demonstrates an awareness of changes in organizational strategy that impact on own work area

· Makes people feel at ease and builds good working relationships with them

· Demonstrates good skills and relevant knowledge in own area

· Seeks and quickly absorbs new information and techniques

· Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities.

· Familiarity with HQ processes

Competencies

i) Core Values (Required)

· Commitment

· Diversity and Inclusion

· Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

· Communication [I]

· Drive for Result [II]

· Working With People [I]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

· Analyzing [ I ]

· Applying Technical Expertise [II]

· Following Instructions and Procedures [II] Planning and Organizing [II]

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from the UNICEF website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) to ntoaso@unicef.org with subject line ”Consultant, Executive Officer” by 5 December 2014, 5:00pm EST.