Deputy Director, Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division

Role Overview

As a senior leader in UN Women’s Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division (PPID), the incumbent turns the organization’s strategic commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment into coordinated policy, programme and results-management work. The role combines divisional leadership with organization-wide stewardship: guiding planning and performance, strengthening the use of evidence, and ensuring that global priorities inform work across headquarters, regional and country offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, delivery and review of PPID’s Strategic Note, keeping divisional priorities aligned with UN Women’s Strategic Plan and corporate commitments.
• Oversee the quality and coherence of the Division’s policy, programme and intergovernmental work, and ensure global guidance can be applied at regional and country levels, including during crises.
• Provide strategic direction to political analysis and programme development so emerging issues and political risks inform organizational decisions and positioning.
• Represent the Director when delegated, engaging with Member States, multilateral institutions and other senior stakeholders to advance UN Women’s priorities.
• Coordinate global monitoring and consolidation of Strategic Plan results, working with relevant divisions to improve tracking, analysis, reporting and accountability.
• Guide Outcome and Impact Leads and Indicator Managers; identify performance risks and bottlenecks, and ensure decision-makers receive clear, evidence-based analysis.
• Set corporate direction for knowledge management related to development results, including standards for knowledge products and platforms and the use of research, evaluation findings and lessons in policy and programme decisions.
• Direct divisional planning, budgets, staffing, risk management and operational performance; represent PPID in corporate governance and coordination forums, and oversee assigned trust fund responsibilities.
• Lead workforce management and organizational improvement, supporting staff performance and development while fostering an inclusive, accountable and collaborative working environment.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, public administration, public policy or a relevant social science discipline. A first-level university degree plus two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead.
• At least 15 years of experience in programme management and/or policy development.
• At least 10 years of practical experience designing, monitoring and evaluating development strategies or programmes on gender equality and women’s empowerment; experience with multilateral agencies is preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience managing and leading personnel in international settings, including responsibility for team performance and development.
• Experience leading change management or transformation in a large international organization, and developing strategies with implementation plans.
• Experience applying Results Based Management, with strong capability in strategic planning, performance frameworks, monitoring and analysis.
• Strong systems thinking, project management, problem-solving and prioritization skills, including the ability to move between executive-level direction and operational detail.
• Demonstrated diplomacy, negotiation, cultural awareness, communication and collaboration skills, together with resilience and the ability to lead through changing circumstances.
• Knowledge of UN Women’s mandate and experience in knowledge management, research, normative support or integrated policy advice are assets. Country-level development and management experience is also an asset.
• Proficiency with office software, spreadsheets, databases and web-based management systems is required.
• Fluency in English is required. A project or programme management certification, such as PMP, PRINCE2 or MSP, is an advantage.
• The role leads a team of nine, including five direct reports, and supervises the chiefs of the Political Analysis and Programme Development Unit and the Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women.