Protocol & Strategic Engagements Specialist, Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch, Office of the Executive Director (OED), New York, P-3, New York City

The Position:

The Protocol and Strategic Engagements Specialist is located in the Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch (PAAB) within the Office of the Executive Director (OED) and reports to the Chief, Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch.

The Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch serves as the principal political affairs and Member State engagement capability for UNFPA’s executive leadership. The Branch provides political intelligence and strategic advice, coordinates executive-level engagement with Member States and other high-level stakeholders and supports political advocacy, diplomatic engagement and strategic outreach.

The Protocol and Strategic Engagements Specialist supports the effective preparation, coordination and follow-up of executive leadership engagements with Member States and other external stakeholders. The Specialist provides substantive drafting and briefing support, coordinates protocol and engagement requirements for high-level meetings, events and missions and helps ensure that executive engagements are strategically prepared, effectively delivered and systematically followed up.

The Specialist works closely with the Executive Front Office, Strategic Leadership Communications Unit, Executive Board Branch, Division for External Relations, regional and country offices and other relevant business units to coordinate inputs and ensure timely preparation and follow-up.

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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

Job Purpose:

The Protocol and Strategic Engagements Specialist provides substantive, protocol and coordination support for the Executive Director, Chief of Staff and other members of executive leadership in their engagement with Member States and external stakeholders.

The Specialist prepares and coordinates speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing notes, messages and other materials for senior leadership. The incumbent supports the preparation of executive meetings with Permanent Missions, government counterparts and external partners and contributes to the development of clear and audience-appropriate messages around UNFPA’s mandate and strategic priorities.

The Specialist coordinates the preparation and follow-up of high-level meetings, official events, visits and missions, ensuring alignment of substantive objectives, protocol requirements, programmes, speaking roles, briefing materials and logistical arrangements.

The incumbent also monitors relevant political, intergovernmental, partner and media developments and prepares concise updates and briefing materials for executive leadership.

You would be responsible for:

A. Executive Briefing, Drafting and Messaging

Prepare speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing notes, messages, correspondence and other substantive materials for the Executive Director, Chief of Staff and other members of executive leadership. Draft and coordinate briefing materials for meetings with Member States, government counterparts, senior United Nations officials and other external stakeholders. Synthesize substantive, political and contextual inputs from across the organization into concise, coherent and audience-appropriate materials for executive leadership. Contribute to the development of clear messages and narratives around UNFPA’s mandate, programme priorities and strategic initiatives for different audiences and engagement contexts. Support the preparation of key messages, press lines, media briefs, event summaries and other communications materials related to executive engagements, in close coordination with the Strategic Leadership Communications Unit. Review and edit materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, appropriate tone and alignment with UNFPA’s mandate, policies and executive priorities.

B. Member State and Strategic Partner Engagement

Support the preparation and follow-up of executive leadership engagement with Permanent Missions, Member State representatives and government counterparts. Prepare background information, stakeholder profiles, meeting objectives, talking points and other materials to support bilateral and group-level engagements. Support executive leadership engagement with external partners, including the private sector, foundations, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and other strategic stakeholders. Coordinate inputs from relevant headquarters, regional and country offices to ensure that engagement materials reflect substantive priorities, political context and relevant country and regional perspectives. Maintain records of key engagements, decisions, commitments and agreed follow-up actions and support timely coordination of next steps. Contribute to maintaining institutional knowledge on executive-level relationships and engagements with Member States and other strategic stakeholders.

C. Protocol and High-Level Engagement Coordination

Provide protocol guidance and coordination in accordance with established United Nations practices, and appropriate arrangements for executive-level engagements and communication. Coordinate preparation for high-level meetings, official events, ceremonies, receptions and other engagements involving Executive Leadership.. Prepare or coordinate agendas, programmes, scenarios, speaking orders, seating arrangements, protocol notes, biographies, participant information and other relevant materials. Liaise with Permanent Missions, United Nations protocol counterparts, host governments, event organizers and other relevant counterparts on protocol and engagement requirements. Coordinate closely with substantive, communications, security, travel and administrative colleagues to ensure that high-level engagements are appropriately prepared and delivered. Support official visits by senior government officials and other dignitaries to UNFPA, ensuring coordinated substantive preparation, protocol arrangements and follow-up. Coordinate with regional and country offices, Permanent Missions, government counterparts, United Nations entities, external partners and other relevant stakeholders in preparing executive missions.

D. Political, Partner and Media Monitoring

Monitor political, intergovernmental, partner and media developments relevant to UNFPA’s mandate, executive engagements and institutional priorities. Prepare concise updates, summaries and briefing notes for the Chief of Branch and executive leadership on developments requiring attention or follow-up. Monitor developments and public positioning relevant to planned executive engagements and flag potential sensitivities, opportunities or emerging issues. Support the Branch in maintaining situational awareness of key Member State and stakeholder developments relevant to executive engagement. Contribute research and analysis to political briefs, stakeholder mapping and strategic engagement planning.

E. Coordination and Follow-up

Coordinate with relevant OED teams, headquarters divisions, regional offices and country offices to ensure that executive engagements and missions are prepared on time and supported by accurate and complete materials. Track decisions, commitments, requests and action points arising from executive meetings, events and missions and facilitate timely follow-up with responsible business units. Maintain effective systems for tracking executive engagements, briefing requirements and follow-up actions. Anticipate upcoming requirements and identify gaps, dependencies or delays requiring attention. Support coordination across relevant teams to ensure consistency between substantive preparation, political engagement, communications, protocol and logistical arrangements. Perform other related duties as required by the Chief, Political Affairs and Advocacy Branch.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) international relations, political science, diplomacy, communications, public policy, international development, law, public administration or another related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international relations, political affairs, diplomacy, protocol, strategic communications, external relations, executive support or a related field. Demonstrated experience preparing speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing notes, key messages and other materials for senior leadership. Experience supporting high-level engagement with Member States, Permanent Missions, government officials or senior stakeholders in an international or multilateral environment. Knowledge of diplomatic protocol and established practices for high-level official engagements, visits and events is required. Experience coordinating complex high-level meetings, official events, visits or missions involving senior leadership. Strong analytical, research, drafting and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into concise and audience-appropriate materials. Experience coordinating across multiple organizational units and stakeholders under tight deadlines. Experience supporting engagement with external partners, including private sector entities, foundations, civil society organizations or non-governmental organizations, is desirable. Experience preparing communications and media-related materials, including key messages, press lines, media briefs or event summaries, is desirable. Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is highly desirable. Knowledge of the United Nations system, multilateral processes and UNFPA’s mandate is desirable.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required;  Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Required Competencies: 

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:

Creating visibility for UNFPA/ supporting UNFPA’s capacity to advocate Global leadership and advocacy for ICPD goals Organizational awareness Job knowledge/technical expertise

Compensation and Benefits:

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

UNFPA 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 therefore 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. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.