Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Part of the Strategic Partnerships Division (SPD), the Private Sector Partnerships Section Services (PSP) Section leads UN Women’s engagement with the private sector, corporations, philanthropy, foundations, and individuals – both in terms of a substantive components and resource mobilization – and it drives a wide range of UN Women’s global initiatives: HeForShe, Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and Unstereotype Alliance (UA). It also leads the work with all UN Women National Committees, and on the development of the individual/digital giving. PSP’s main aims are to ensure that UN Women develops and sustains high quality and impact focused partnerships to achieve maximum results for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The HeForShe team is seeking a senior-level Executive Event Producer to ensure the successful delivery of the HeForShe Summit, planned for 19 September 2024 in New York, USA in conjunction with the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. The individual will be responsible for managing and overseeing the event development, pre-production, and onsite logistical support to ensure a seamless, professional, and impactful production.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Chief and the Private Sector Partnerships Advisor, the Executive Event Producer will undertake the following:

Before the Event

• Provide and oversee a detailed production plan, including timeline of key milestones and deadlines, along with team members responsible for actions/tasks.
• Ensure that all agendas are created for and facilitate regular pre-production meetings with all personnel working on the event.
• Guide the development and creation of customized collateral materials developed for the event (save the date, invitation, communications, signage, display materials, etc.);
• Ensure that production-related documents for the event are prepared such as detailed and timed run of show and other prep materials for participants and speakers as required.
• Collaborate with the HeForShe team to refine the concept and agenda for the event in the most cost-effective manner to accomplish the objectives.
• Provide assistance to the PSP Chief and /or relevant PSP Management Team members in outreach to desired speakers and high-level guests participating in the event,
• Identify and guide outreach to potential celebrity host/speakers/emcee and/or entertainment act(s) for the event in collaboration with HFS team, coordinating with their representatives as needed.
• Serve as central technical lead and primary liaison for coordinating with the event production company, providing detailed guidance on creative direction, technical requirements, and logistical needs to ensure successful execution of the event.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure a smooth end-to-end production: tasks including research, assessment and decision-making inputs on the venue, catering, AV requirements from suppliers, venue design and décor, volunteer assignments, broader logistical needs, VIP, security and protocol needs, speaker and potentially entertainment support.
• Collaborate closely with the HeForShe team to ensure coordinated and streamlined execution of every stage of the process.
• Provide template for the final Script.

During the Event

• Lead on-site management of all production elements including venue set-up, A/V, lighting, staging, etc.
• Lead and provide management support for logistics for speaker and performer green rooms, rehearsals, and backstage operations.
• Ensure professional hosting and speaker support throughout the event.
• Where required, act as “voice of god” to ensure timely delivery of all teams responsible for delivery of successful summit – production, AV, wranglers, etc.
• Provide guidance to team to make rapid alterations to event programme if any challenges arise such as last-minute speaker unavailability or equipment issues.
• Lead on programme and implement run of show on-site.

After the Event

• Hold debrief with the team after the event to recommend action steps to capitalizing on the event and to identify lessons learned.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy, no travel required.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong technical knowledge and skills in event production.
• Strong knowledge on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent team building, communication and management skills.
• Ability to participate effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, to collaborate and cooperate with others.
• Demonstrated capacity to perform effectively within a multi-cultural work environment, tact and ability to deal with confidential matters in a discreet and reliable manners.
• Proven negotiating skills and ability to engage with high level partners.
• Ability to respond to real time changes and challenges.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial and creative spirit, ability to multi-task under pressure, and strong capacity to work in a team as well as independently with minimal supervision to complete tasks.

Ability to perform a variety of tasks in a fast-paced and pressured environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business, Communications, Public relations, Marketing, Hospitality management or related discipline.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in project management and event coordination of a wide range of high-level advocacy or accountability events and meetings is required;
• Ability to create, plan and execute production schedules with knowledge of technical production and equipment requirements definition is required;
• Experience organizing events related to gender equality is considered an asset;
• Experience organizing high-level and high-visibility events for the UN, particularly UN Women, is considered an asset;
• Experience coordinating graphic design and décor standards is considered an asset;

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of any other UN official is an asset.