International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region - Director of the Nexus Secretariat - New York City

[IPPF/WHR - Viviane Gouredou]

Director of the Nexus Secretariat

 The Nexus Initiative:

Global Advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

 

Location:  New York, New York                                  Reports to: Director of Advocacy

Department:  Advocacy                                               Status & FLSA Status: Full-Time salary, Exempt                     

                                    

About the Nexus Initiative

IPPF/WHR is hiring a Director of the Nexus Secretariat. The Nexus is an innovative initiative to support a group of cross-regional high-level government officials in ensuring the highest-level support to SRHR at crucial UN negotiations related with the Agenda 2030 and ICPD beyond 2014 follow up processes. The Nexus will build on the existing momentum created by the SheDecides movement and will complement its advocacy work by mobilizing the SheDecides government Champions alongside other leaders that are not formally part of this initiative.

 

A small technical secretariat will be created in New York to provide coordination, intelligence, and strategic orientation to support and motivate the Champions to counter the opposition, facilitate cross-regional exchange, and define result-oriented negotiation tactics to hold ground for SRHR support.  The Secretariat will be comprised of a Director, a Senior Political Advisor and a Programme Associate. Established for three years (mid 2018 – mid 2021), the secretariat will coordinate and facilitate the work of the Nexus Initiative hosted by IPPF/WHR.

The successful candidate will be hired by IPPF/WHR under the same terms and conditions as IPPF/WHR full-time employees.

 

Job Summary

The Director of the Nexus Secretariat will be a strong strategist with demonstrated analytic, planning, writing and speaking ability. S/he will have a robust understanding of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and development issues, along with significant experience in intergovernmental negotiations, national and international advocacy and alliance building. S/he will have proven diplomatic and managerial skills as well as strong connections with SRHR and development groups and networks. 

The Director will collaborate closely with the Co-Leads of the Nexus Coordinating Committee and the Nexus members in carrying out their duties, lead substantive work by the Secretariat, and ensure that the Secretariat effectively coordinates and facilitates the work of the Nexus.

 

Job duties and Responsibilities

The Director will be accountable to the Nexus Coordinating Committee for her/his performance of these core responsibilities which include but are not limited to the following:

 

Generation of tools and inputs for international negotiations

·         Lead the development of strategic approaches for different UN negotiations, 

·         Guide and oversee the development of tools and inputs for international negotiations, such as language recommendations, development of cross-regional statements, input for statements, strategic and technical support and intelligence,

·         Guide and oversee the development of communication strategies on SRHR

·         Produce, or identify and assist Nexus members, consultants or resource persons to produce position papers;

 

Generation and collection of “information”

·         Oversee the generation of relevant background information for the Nexus to ensure an adequate understanding of the goals, objectives and work plan of the initiative;

·         Produce analyses of global or regional political developments that may impact the ICPD + 25 and other relevant international processes such as the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals;

·         Provide up-dates on the latest developments of the ICPD + 25 and other relevant international processes and latest developments such as the SDG review process;

·         Prepare background information, speaking points and op-eds for members of the Nexus as well as SRHR Champions;

Coordination, facilitation and communication

·         Oversee development and implementation of strategy for Nexus outreach to countries and for their participation in key regional and international meetings;

·         Ensure effective and timely communication between and among SRHR Champions as well as with key external actors;

·         Build partnerships with multiple stakeholders, networks, and initiatives and coordinate with other relevant high-level mechanisms and initiatives.

·         Oversee and participate in consultations and strategy meetings with other key stakeholders to advance the goals and the work of the Nexus;

Management

• Manages operating budget for both individuals and the Nexus Initiative
• Ensure that the Secretariat complies with company’s policy and regulations
• Hire, supervise and evaluate performance the secretariat staff and consultants
• Evaluate performance of the Nexus Secretariat staff
• Lead fundraising efforts and oversee reports to donors
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the Nexus projects and plans

Terms

• ·         Full-Time position with benefits as employee of IPPF/WHR .
  
• ·         For legal reasons S/he will report to IPFF/WHR’s Director of Advocacy on administrative and managerial matters.
  
• ·         Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
  

 

Required Education and Experience

§  A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Industrial Engineering, International Development, Social Sciences, or another field related to IPPF’s work. A Master’s degree is strongly preferred with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience.

§  Experience working with not for profit organizations in capacity building and/ or working in the corporate sector with a focus on strategic development, change management or institution building.

Qualifications and Skills

§  Demonstrated commitment to IPPF’s mission, vision and values.

• A credible presence with strong writing and presentation skills and strong ability to communicate with senior leaders.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, problem solve effectively and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent judgement and strong strategic thinking. 

§  Knowledge of Spanish and/ or French highly desirable.

§  Ability to travel throughout the Caribbean and internationally as needed.

• Ability to build relationships and diplomacy skills.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

 

IPPF/WHR is an equal opportunity employer, committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people. We welcome and encourage applicants for all positions respecting the full spectrum of education, experience, age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or other military status, legal alien status or citizenship status, genetic carrier status, genetic information, AIDS or AIDS-related complex or HIV status, being a victim of domestic violence, protected activity (i.e., filing a charge of discrimination, participating in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposing prohibited discrimination), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

 

How to apply: We encourage both external and internal candidates to apply. Please send your resume, and cover letter to recru...@ippfwhr.org  no later than by 30 September 2018. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.