Senior UN Advocacy Advisor - Temporary Cover

International Planned Parenthood Federation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IPPF Americas and The Caribbean Region seeks a seasoned Senior UN Advocacy Adviser to implement advocacy activities at the UN in New York, advancing SRHRJ and gender equality. The role will strengthen normative frameworks, build national commitments, and support intergovernmental processes in early 2027.

The post requires in-depth UN process knowledge, diplomatic acumen, and experience with NGOs/coalitions. Travel and in-person work in NY are expected.

Qualifications

• Expertise developing advocacy initiatives in international development.
• Thorough knowledge of UN structures and processes.
• Experience with NGOs, coalitions, SRHRJ, gender equality.

Responsibilities

• Promote, position, and grow IPPF’s external relations and UN advocacy work in NY.
• Support UN advocacy activities in New York.
• Nurture intergovernmental/UN partnerships to strengthen IPPF's presence.
• Represent IPPF at international, civil society, and UN meetings as requested.
• Follow safeguarding policies and ensure a healthy working environment.
• Adhere to IPPF anti-racism policies and reporting requirements.
• Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Skills

UN advocacy

SRHRJ knowledge

Diplomatic experience

Grant management

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Fluent English

Coalition building

Job description

Application Closing Date

16th November*Assignment runs from 1 January- 15 June 2027 + requirement to have work visa and ability to work in person in New York required*

Please note: we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high number of applications.

Context of Role

This is a role for a seasoned mid-level intergovernmental expert with experience working to advance SRHRJ in UN contexts in NY advance IPPF’s political advocacy work. With 140+ Member Associations (MAs) and collaborative partners, IPPF has built deep connections among civil society, intergovernmental, and UN partners so that MAs can bring their lived experiences and policy ambitions to UN processes to influence change, participate on their country delegations to advocate for progressive SRHRJ policies and hold their governments accountable for their commitments. IPPF is uniquely positioned to advance this work because our MAs represent the needs of their countries in UN fora. IPPF’s NY and Geneva intergovernmental teams work daily to strengthen relationships among cross-regional member states and build IPPF’s presence within the UN in service of MA objectives and priorities, including linking to regional intergovernmental processes as well.

Role Purpose

The temporary cover for IPPF’s Senior UN Advocacy Adviser will implement advocacy activities at the UN in New York to support and advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Reproductive Justice (SRHRJ) and gender equality within UN contexts, strengthen the normative SRHRJ framework, and build national commitment to and support for SRHRJ, particularly in the context of UN processes happening in the first half of 2027. The Senior Advocacy Officer will contribute to achieve IPPF’s intergovernmental advocacy strategic priorities in line with Strategy2028 by working in collaboration with civil society, member states, and UN agencies so that normative standards lead to progressive policy and program changes to achieve SRHRJ for all in countries around the world.

Deliverables

• Works as part of the External Relations - Global Unit to promote, position, develop, and grow the work of the Federation.
• Supports the implementation of UN advocacy activities in New York.
• Nurtures and maintains strategic intergovernmental and UN-based partnerships to strengthen relationships among cross-regional member states and to ensure IPPF is well connected, ambitious, and resonant.
• Positions IPPF as a brave, bold, and proactive SRHRJ leader, responsive to the most critical and urgent issues that impact SRHRJ.
• Identifies advocacy opportunities to raise awareness of SRHRJ, gender equality, and the work of IPPF at the UN in New York with the aim of developing, implementing, and coordinating advocacy strategies related to UN or other intergovernmental processes.
• Identifies advocacy opportunities to raise awareness of SRHRJ, gender equality, and the work of IPPF at the UN in New York with the aim of developing, implementing, and coordinating advocacy strategies related to UN or other intergovernmental processes
• Supports IPPF's engagement in civil society coalitions
• Supports the Federation’s network in capacity building efforts on global advocacy, including training on UN related processes and negotiated language related to SRHRJ.
• Research and write policy papers on SRHRJ issues as requested in collaboration with the MA Development and Impact Global Unit.
• Reports and shares strategic information and intelligence in a timely and strategic way with IPPF colleagues from across the globe.
• Represents IPPF at international, civil society, and UN meetings, as requested.
• Become familiar with the Federation's Health and Safety Programme and Guidelines and follow the IPPF Safeguarding policy; do everything possible to ensure a healthy and safe working environment.
• Performs other related tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate by the supervisor.
• Adheres to the safeguarding reporting and monitoring requirements of this role. Understands and advances IPPF’s antiracism policies and objectives.
• Support and enable a safe environment, adhering to the safeguarding reporting and monitoring requirements of this role.

Reporting/Management Responsibility:

• None

Essential Skills

Expertise:

• Expertise developing advocacy initiatives (in SRHRJ desirable) which yield results in the international development arena.
• Thorough knowledge of UN structures and processes, and ideally of national government structures and processes.
• Experience working in and with non-governmental organizations and as part of coalitions; familiarity with sexual and reproductive rights, reproductive justice, intersectionality, and women’s and girls’ rights.
• Diplomatic experience is highly desirable.
• Experience managing restricted grants.
• Knowledge of political realities on SRHRJ, women’s rights, and gender equality in a variety of global contexts is required.
• Solid knowledge of agreed international language on gender and women and girls’ rights, SRHRJ, as well as human rights instruments and mechanisms.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - articulate and diplomatic. Ability to interact with diverse groups from different cultures and backgrounds at multiple levels, from diplomatic missions and UN organizations to grassroots activists and youth leaders.
• Strong commitment and understanding of human rights, including SRHRJ, women’s right to choose including abortion, bodily autonomy, gender equality, and population and development issues.
• Ability to reflect on your own culture and privileges and relate to people from different cultures and backgrounds in a positive and engaging way. Strong analytic approach. Is aware of personal and situational power and is scrupulous in dealings with other people.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills. Strong analytical skills and the ability to summarize and simplify complex policy information into an accessible form.

Skills:

• Good IT skills — Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills required.
• Integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and administrative skills, ability to meet multiple, overlapping, and tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision, and as part of a team.
• Excellent writing and communications skills and fluent English essential.

Desirable Skills

• Willing to travel internationally, approximately 10% a year.
• Proficiency in other UN official language (particularly Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.
• Database skills are desirable.