Editor and Strategic Planning Specialist, P-4, New York

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 171,387 USD and 220,969 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Hope

Organizational context:

The Office of the Secretary of the Executive Board (OSEB) is responsible for maintaining an effective relationship between the Executive Board and the UNICEF secretariat. Under the guidance of the President and the Bureau, the Office services all aspects of the work of the Executive Board, including the formal sessions, informal consultations and briefings, Bureau meetings, and field visits by the Bureau and Executive Board members.

The work of the Office of the Secretary of the Executive Board (OSEB) has evolved over the years and increasingly deals with more complex and sensitive issues that require a sound political acumen to manage risks. There is a growing need to mitigate these risks and strengthen backstop and strategic support for the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary when needed. OSEB is also becoming more digital and working more with private vendors. To continue the savings and efficiencies that the Office have managed to achieve, we need to strengthen our capacity in this regard.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of the Secretary of the Executive Board/Director of the Office of the Secretary of the Executive Board (OSEB) and the direct supervision of the Deputy Secretary of the Executive Board, the Editor and Strategic Planning Specialist (Executive Board) has as her/his primary responsibility the provision of high quality editorial work related to UNICEF official documentation, In addition, he/she contributes to the effective preparation for and coordination of Executive Board sessions, as well as to the continued strategic relationship between the UNICEF secretariat and the Executive Board. He/she also supports the Secretary and Deputy Secretary to the Executive Board in planning and running the work of the Executive Board secretariat.

KEY END RESULTS

1. Deliver high-quality editorial work for documents.
2. Ensure effective planning, preparation, and coordination for Executive Board sessions and meetings and Board-related consultations
3. Provide significant contributions to strategic planning and the smooth operation of OSEB.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Deliver high-quality editorial work for Executive Board documents and correspondence (as relevant):

• Plan, schedule and coordinate editorial work and edit documents to the highest professional standards;
• Compile and edit the annual programme of work of the Executive Board; the provisional annotated agenda, timetable and organization of work for upcoming Executive Board sessions and the provisional list of agenda items for upcoming sessions, based on Executive Board decisions/requests and UNICEF secretariat requirements;
• Coordinate the preparation of the official report of each Executive Board session; edit the report, ensuring review by UNICEF focal points and adherence to the production schedule;
• Manage the preparation by the transcribers/a transcription vendor of the informal verbatim report for each Executive Board session;
• Provide editorial support to the Executive Board members and facilitators in the negotiation of draft decisions; and coordinate translation of the draft decisions by the United Nations;
• In consultation with the Deputy Secretary, set up and oversee proper quality control process for editorial work and provide final editorial clearance;
• Coordinate the submission of documents, in the required United Nations format, to the United Nations Documents Management Division or an external translation vendor, for production/translation; and
• Provide guidance and supervision, where necessary, to staff members and non-staff personnel involved in the editing, planning and preparation for Executive Board sessions.

2. Effective planning, preparation and coordination for Executive Board sessions

• In cooperation with the Deputy Secretary and other members of the team, develop internal deadlines for all Executive Board documents, identify and inform focal points for each agenda item and inform them of their responsibilities; establish, and communicate these to, and follow-up with, all relevant UNICEF offices; monitor and chart compliance by offices;
• Contribute to policy, develop draft guidance (e.g., standard operating procedures), provide training and / or advice to UNICEF country/regional offices and headquarters in the preparation of Executive Board documents as well as on the functioning of the Executive Board;
• Liaise and coordinate with the regional offices and relevant headquarters Divisions to ensure timely submission to OSEB of official Executive Board documents, including country programme documents, for editing by OSEB;
• Support the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary of the Executive Board in the effective and efficient organization, preparation, management and servicing of all Executive Board sessions and other Board-related meetings and consultations;
• Draft the opening and/or closing remarks for the President for the formal Executive Board sessions. Draft remarks for the President or Vice-Presidents for other meetings/events, as requested.

3. Provide significant contributions to strategic planning and the smooth operation of OSEB

• Provide advice and support to the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary on strategic planning, including internal planning such as the office management plan, workplans and annual reports, and preparing for key Executive Board discussions and all Board-related meetings and consultations;
• Together with the other Strategic Planning Specialist, maintain the OSEB roster of consultant editors. Draft terms of reference and notes for the record; lead or participate in desk review processes; if required, supervise consultant editors, providing them with guidance and feedback, and evaluate their work;
• Within OSEB’s role and mandate, identify opportunities to include key issues for UNICEF in the agenda of the Executive Board and promote that corporate goals of the Organization are presented in a strategic and effective way;
• Serve as an OSEB point of contact and coordination with divisional focal points in charge of preparing documents for the consideration of the Executive Board;
• Contribute to the dissemination and exchange of knowledge about the Executive Board within UNICEF, in order to promote effective interaction and partnerships between the UNICEF focal points on Board-related issues and the Executive Board members;
• Represent OSEB in meetings as needed, report to the senior management on the discussions with advice and recommendations regarding specific follow-up activities;
• Advise senior managers on a range of editorial and Executive Board documentation issues;
• Support senior managers in handling complex topics, as well as in structuring the work of the Executive Board in a way that provides optimal exposure to strategic issues;
• Support the oversight of OSEB's work during the Executive Board sessions;
• Provide backstop support to the Strategic Planning Specialist in his/her absence, and in this capacity, oversee the upload of documents on the Executive Board website; liaise with UNICEF communication staff on web, photo, video and media coverage of Executive Board sessions and events and disseminate information on Executive Board sessions to relevant parties, preparing speaking notes for the President and Secretary of the Executive Board, review and edit presentations/documents for the informal briefings, among other activities;
• Provide backstop support to the Deputy Secretary in his/her absence and in case of parallel meetings of the Executive Board;
• Attend monthly Bureau meetings and represent the Office when necessary. and accurately draft the notes of the proceedings. Share with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary for review, ahead of dissemination to the Bureau of the Executive Board.

How can you make a difference?

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree, preferably in languages, journalism, international relations, or social and economic development areas.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in writing or editing documents/publications related to social and economic development.
• Proven experience and knowledge of United Nations editorial style, terminology, practices, and procedures.
• Familiarity with the UNICEF mandate and with the work of the Executive Board is ideal.
• Experience working in an international humanitarian or development organization, both at field and/or headquarters level is required.
• Proven strong communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse range of people, adapting your style to the audience.
• Proven political acumen and ability to apply sound judgment in complex settings.
• Proven ability to apply innovative thinking and solutions to complex and changing environments.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (3)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

The functional competencies required for this post are….

• Applying Technical Expertise, [ III ]
• Persuading and Influencing, [ II ]
• Planning and Organizing, [ III ]
• Communication , [ III ]
• Relating and Networking, [ III ]

View our competency framework New Competency Framework Brochure (002).pdf

We are committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.