Associate Director for Global Advocacy (Geneva) – Switzerland

The role: In consultation with the Vice President (VP) for Global Advocacy, the Associate Director for Global Advocacy (Geneva) supports progress towards the Center’s strategic objectives by implementing and ensuring the proper application of the Organization’s mission, vision, strategic plan and program strategies at the United Nations and on UN-related issues in Geneva. He provides oversight and strategic input to our UN advocacy and government and external relations work and supports the strong and integrated functioning of the Global Advocacy team.

The Associate Director position is for an experienced professional with expertise in advocacy, coalition building, and multilateral policy negotiations with extensive experience in human resources and organizational management. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Global Advocacy, the position will oversee two Senior Global Advocacy Advisers (with the possibility of more as the team grows) and work closely with staff across the organization in government and external relations, programs, communications, and development. The position will be located on the Global Advocacy Team, part of the Government and External Relations Division. The position is based in the Center’s Geneva office.

The position will be based in the Centre’s Geneva office and international travel is required. This position is a hybrid model, with 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home. The AD will be required to be physically present at the United Nations in Geneva on a regular basis and as required.

Main responsibilities:

Supervision, management and leadership

• Serve as part of the Global Advocacy leadership team, including serving as an internal resource and idea partner to the VP;
• Represent the Global Advocacy Team in internal cross-organizational processes when requested and liaise with other departments within the Centre as needed, including Government and External Relations, Programmes, Communications and Development.
• Supervise and advise Geneva-based Global Advocacy staff, including two Senior Global Advocacy Advisers, and identify and implement individual work plans, career development plans and performance plans.
• Assist in the supervision of fellows, interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys upon request.
• Ensure that the Vice President is fully informed about all relevant projects and ensure alignment with institutional priorities and positions.
• Oversee the hiring and onboarding of Global Advocacy staff as needed;
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Advocacy and strategy

• Leading and overseeing the implementation of the Geneva-focused aspects of the Centre’s UN strategy;
• Support the Vice President in implementing the Center’s strategic plan and report effectively on opportunities and challenges.
• Develop an overarching strategy for the Centre’s engagement with the United Nations in Geneva that will increase the visibility and prominence of the Centre’s work among key policy makers and ensure high-quality strategic oversight of implementation and evaluation;
• Provide strategic input and support the implementation of key advocacy projects of the departments in New York, Geneva and the capitals.
• Work in collaboration with the Center’s Vice President and Program Office to identify advocacy opportunities in collaboration with partner organizations and lead the development and implementation of annual joint work plans.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with key stakeholders at the United Nations in Geneva, including permanent missions and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to promote cooperation on reproductive rights and related issues;
• Developing and monitoring the development of advocacy strategies for a defensive and proactive positioning of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) at the United Nations and on UN-related issues in Geneva, including monitoring the anti-gender movement and developing counter and defensive strategies; and
• Contribute to the development and review of written materials on important and emerging issues related to reproductive rights, including publications, advocacy and communications materials, and internal and donor reports.

Government and Foreign Relations

• Develop and strengthen the Centre’s relations with key government delegations in Geneva and capitals and promote the inclusion of SRHR in initiatives at the international level.
• Supporting the Support Center’s overarching bilateral engagement strategy, including through meetings in the capital;
• Position the Centre, including CEO, CPO, CGERO, VP of Global Advocacy and Regional VPs, to key policymakers and processes in Geneva;
• Support in the monitoring, planning, logistics and implementation of events and meetings organised by the Centre in Geneva;
• Work closely with the Vice President and Deputy Director (New York) to strengthen relationships with key UN agencies, including by supporting the development and implementation of institutional memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
• Represent the Center at meetings and events upon request, including those requiring international travel.
• In consultation with the Vice President, represent the Centre externally, including by attending meetings and events, making public speeches and, when necessary, acting as spokesperson to the media.
• Assist the Vice President in fundraising efforts as needed.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional with extensive work experience in advocacy, government and external relations, complemented by extensive human resource and organizational management experience, and exceptional networking and collaboration skills. They will be open-minded, possess strong listening skills, and communicate openly and effectively with staff and external stakeholders.

• Over 12 years of relevant experience.
• More than 5 years of experience in direct personnel management.
• More than 5 years of experience leading lobbying efforts at the United Nations or other multilateral bodies.
• Advanced degree in law, international relations or a related field.
• Strong commitment to the center’s mission, purpose and values.
• Strong understanding and direct experience of working with sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Proven experience working closely with partners and in coalitions with other organizations across diverse issues and regions.
• Effective and persuasive communication and presentation skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to think strategically, set meaningful goals and strategic courses of action based on an evidence-based practice model, adjust course as needed, and learn from mistakes as well as successes.
• Good judgement and strong analytical skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain close, collegial and effective working relationships with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Ability to work independently and manage one’s time with limited supervision.
• Excellent coordination with the ability to plan and manage multiple priorities on different schedules.
• Ability to learn quickly when faced with new problems and priorities.
• Willingness to travel (20%).
• Fluent English required, knowledge of French preferred.