EMERGE - Programme for Emerging Women Leaders

We see talented women at the P3 level, brimming with potential, yet facing invisible barriers to advancement. This inspired the creation of EMERGE – a bold, inter-agency collaboration designed to empower these women and accelerate their journey to leadership. The Programme for Emerging Women Leaders, an innovative initiative jointly developed by 11 UN entities - ILO, ITU, OCHA, OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOG, UNSSC, WHO and WIPO was created in 2016. The programme, that today includes 17 organisations, is also part of a renewed and sustainable effort to tap into the leadership potential of female staff members within the UN system. While some progress has been made, gender parity is still not reached in the United Nations system.  

Over nine months, participants follow virtual sessions, individual coaching, mentoring, buddy system and peer-to-peer learning.  

Course Objectives

• Develop a deeper understanding of the inter­connections between gender, culture, and leadership, addressing both personal and professional challenges unique to women in the UN. Reinforce and apply political acumen, negotiation and influencing skills. 
• Explore, establish and draw on networks, and cultivate strong connections with peers from across the UN system. 
• Address work related challenges affecting performance and career development. 

Course methodology:  

The EMERGE programme encompasses five stages, featuring.  

• Establishing a baseline through self-awareness tools, 
• Planning one’s leadership journey connecting strengths to leadership and integrating opportunities for growth. 
• Navigation development focusing on individual coaching and action learning, 
• Leading development accelerating learning with mentoring and participant led- exercises, 
• Evaluating and network reflecting on individual experiences and strengthening networking skills through practice.  

The EMERGE programme has been awarded at the Career Development RoundTable with two awards, in 2017 the “Employee Engagement” award and in 2024 the “Decade of Excellence” award.  

Target audience

This programme is tailored to women at the P3 level or NO equivalent in HQ or field offices who want to build on and expand their leadership skills. The programme aims to create a diverse network of women across the UN and to better prepare female leaders to take their place at the decision-making tables in all agencies, funds and programmes. 

IMPORTANT: This programme is open to staff from the following 17 UN entities: ILO, IOM, ITU, OCHA, OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNCTAD, UNDCO, UNDRR, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOG, UNSSC, UN Women, WHO, and WIPO.  

Remarks

Participants are selected by each Organization. The programme, which runs from September/October through June/July each year, is delivered in English only.