World Vision Director and United Nations Representative, New York City

Provide strategic leadership for United Nations and related engagements in New York City for a leading organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children globally.

World Vision International (WVI) is a global network of people committed to enhance the well-being of children everywhere by empowering families and communities to overcome the challenges of poverty and injustice.

The Director and United Nations Representative, New York Global Capital will provide strategic leadership and coordination to World Vision’s relations with the United Nations System and its headquartered institutions in New York City, and member country Diplomatic Missions. This role includes engaging with otherNew Yorkbased institutions of strategic importance to WVI including major academic institutions, foundations, corporations, faith-based organizations, media, and special interest groups.

In addition to the strategic leadership, you will work in close alignment with other WVI capital offices such asGenevaandBrusselsand other WVI partnership entities. The Director will have representational and advocacy support responsibilities and be the principal WVI spokesperson in New York.

The role is intentionally based in New York, a major world centre for commerce and finance, but also one of the primary humanitarian and development capitals of the world, where policy related to the well-being of children is continuously debated and shaped.

This role supports WVI’s global strategic intent to respond to humanitarian need, to work for sustainable development, and to be a voice of change and justice around the globe.

The New York office is central to World Vision’s global positioning and engagement, and the Director is required to engage with senior WVI leaders on a regular basis.

We are looking for a visionary leader who can combine strong analytical skills and convergent thinking with inspirational spiritual leadership skills in line with our Christian values and ethos. You will have a passionate desire to help others, especially children.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Build, optimise and maintain World Vision’s reputation, influence and relationships with key United Nations (UN) officials, institutions and mechanisms; with particular focus on WVIs primary distinctive and interests around the context of children.
• Lead as the overall organisational representative for the New York office; the representative of the President’s Office and other leaders for specific and delegated matters, as assigned and/or delegated; within all external forums in New York.
• Particularly build and maintain strong relationships with top UN executives and the diplomatic corps: UN Ambassadors, the UN Secretary General and staff in its Executive Office; the President of the General Assembly and cabinet; Under Secretary Generals for Humanitarian Affairs and Peacekeeping; UNDP Administrator, and the Executive Director and deputies of UNICEF.
• Provide vision, strategy and leadership to assure WV is acting as a spokesperson and leader across the spectrum of desired contributions in public relations, diplomacy, policy, advocacy, lobbying, professional engagements, services, publications.

REQUIRED SKILLS INCLUDE:

• Master’s degree preferably in one of the following: political studies, international relations, social ethics, intercultural studies, business (with a core in international management), or related.
• A minimum of 10 years of managerial experience preferably working in the Aid Sector in low and middle income countries
• A thorough understanding of the UN system, other multilateral institutions, global and regional inter-governmental organizations, as well as major global and regional non-governmental consortia and coalitions, and an empirical knowledge of how the above function and operate.
• Substantive and broad knowledge of the technical and policy issues common to the international humanitarian and development community, including health and nutrition, education, food security, emergency health, refugee/IDPs resettlement, disaster management, and public policy.
• Knowledge of international conventions, codes of diplomatic practice; international relations, and political engagements.
• French, Spanish and English desired; English required

Use your extensive experience to further “life in all its fullness” for children.

For specific details regarding the position, please refer to the full description and apply online by the closing date 07 Sep 2012. For more information on WVI, please visit our website: www.wvi.org. WVI is an equal opportunity employer.