Strategic Policy Specialist, Ofce of the Executive Director (OED), New York, P-4

About the role

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The Strategic Policy Specialist post is located in the Office of the Executive Director and reports directly to the Chief of Staff, providing strategic, substantive, and coordination support across priorities under the Chief of Staff’s purview.

The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, accelerating the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

The Office of the Executive Director (OED) coordinates delivery in a strategic and proactive manner, forging and strengthening partnerships within and outside the UN System, including with Member States and other key partners. The Strategic Policy Specialist will contribute to UNFPA’s mandate by providing substantive and strategic support to the Chief of Staff, ensuring effective coordination, preparation, and follow-up across relevant organizational units.

Responsibilities

• Support and provide strategic coordination to senior-level engagements and collaborations with Member States, UN entities, and other partners to ensure harmonized, mutually reinforcing efforts with maximum impact.
• Analyze policies and frameworks, monitor actions and decisions requiring follow-up from senior management discussions and meetings.
• Anticipate and forecast upcoming tasks, deadlines, and deliverables, monitoring timelines and reflecting on implications for UNFPA’s mandate.
• Contribute to the preparation for high-level external and internal meetings, and follow up on decisions and actions.
• Build awareness, collaboration, and information-exchange within and external to the OED.
• Contribute to the development of OED deliverables, including briefing materials and correspondence.
• Support the development of the OED annual work plan, SIS, and other office management reports.
• Flag institutional bottlenecks and lessons learned to ensure successful implementation of work plans.
• Prepare briefing notes and other background and communications materials to support senior management in partnership engagement.
• Support the Chief of Staff in high-level policy discussions and internal/external consultations to advance strategic and policy matters.
• Proactively seek opportunities to connect the OED with business units across the organization and propose solutions where necessary.
• Bring visibility to organizational development and reform initiatives, highlighting results and impact.
• Undertake any other duties, including day-to-day support, as assigned by the Executive Director and/or the Chief of Staff.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, international development, public administration, business, management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience, particularly in strategic coordination, strategic partnership, advocacy, and communication, with at least 5 years at the international level.
• Experience in supporting senior-level engagements and coordinating with Member States, UN entities, and other partners is an asset.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity; ability to decide and act without having the full picture and handle risk and uncertainty.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, written, and communications skills.
• Demonstrated success in developing or building effective partnerships for development.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate the impact of change and direct self and others.
• Self-directed, able to maintain productivity when implementing new, altered, or incomplete procedures.
• Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of a second UN language is highly desirable.

Skills

Values

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships

Functional Competencies

• Global leadership and advocacy for ICPD goals
• Organizational leadership and direction
• Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results
• External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Managerial Competencies

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing, and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process.