Special Assistant to Deputy Executive Director (Programme), Office of the Executive Director, New York, FTA, P-4

The Position JOB DESCRIPTION The Special Assistant post is located in the Office of the Executive Director (OED) and reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director (Programme) and functionally to the Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Director.

Under the direction and supervision of the DED (P), the Special Assistant provides support to the DED (P) to carry out a range of responsibilities to effectively and efficiently respond to programming and policy issues and assists the DED (P) in the development and provision of strategy and policy guidance in his/her areas of responsibility. Under the guidance of the Chief of Staff, OED, works as part of the OED team to support various OED functions and initiatives.

How You Can Make a Difference 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 UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate 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 a focus on 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.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

You Would Be Responsible For

• Ensuring provision of effective and innovative support to the DED (P) including with regards to working arrangements; preparation of briefing notes, presentations and talking points for the DED (P)’s meetings, speaking engagements, and missions; and managing schedules.
• Providing effective liaison between the DED (P) and relevant organizational units in particular, the Programme Divisions and the Regional Offices.
• Scheduling and monitoring actions for the DED (P)’s attention and follow-up related requirements.
• Providing strategic and operational advice to the DED (P) in the areas of programming, performance monitoring, and technical issues.
• Supporting the DED (P) in managing critical demands, including by reviewing and recommending input to Executive Board documents and other incoming documents and correspondence.
• Assisting the DED (P) in his/her capacity as chair/member of various inter-agency groups, external fora and working groups by preparing briefings, following up on decisions made and liaising with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintaining close collaboration with the Special Assistants to the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director (Management), and bringing to the attention of the DED (P) matters that require his/her attention, and providing advice on how to follow-up on these issues.
• Coordinating the work of the staff that directly support the DED (P) and ensuring the efficient delivery of support.
• Providing, in collaboration with the Special Assistants to the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director (Management), secretariat functions for the UNFPA Executive Committee (EC). In this context, reviewing and analysing EC submissions, contributing to the preparation of the EC agenda and minutes, liaising and following up with EC members on matters relating to priority agenda items, providing feedback to EC members and following up on EC decisions.
• Under the direction and guidance of the Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Director, working with the Special Assistants to the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director (Management) to ensure effective coordination of the agendas and commitments of the Executive Direc…