20081028 How to Begin a Career in the United Nations System - Presentation by Lino Sciarra

8/7/2019 20081028 How to Begin a Career in the United Nations System - Presentation by Lino Sciarra

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How to Begin a Career in the United Nations System

,Tuesday 28 October 2008


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DisclaimerThis presentation is given in a personal capacity.These are my personal view of working at the UN as well asstarting a career at the UN. I am not representing theUN Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM), or any other

AimTo offer an overview on some of the ways to begin a career in theUnited Nations System


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Paradigm shifta ma or chan e in a certain thou ht- atterna radical change in personal beliefs, complex systems ororganizations, replacing the former way of thinking ororganizing with a radically different way

On 24 December 1968, almost by chance, a picture was taken.An ima e so owerful and elo uent that it ranks as one of the most important photographs taken by anyone ever

It is an image which still speaks to us today


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United Nations System


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United Nations System

While the United Nations is an international or anization, theUnited Nations System is the whole network of internationalorganizations, treaties and conventions that were created by theUnited Nations

The United Nations System is based on five active principalorgans (formerly six, the UN Trusteeship Council suspendedo erations in 1994 : UN General Assembly UN Security Council UN Economic and Social Council UN Secretariat International Court of Justice

,principal organs, have been created to solve specialized tasks


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UN Core Values and Competencies

What can you do for United Nations?


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UN Core Values

Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviors

Acts without consideration of personal gain

Resists undue political pressure in decision-making

Does not abuse power or authorityStands by decisions that are in the Organizations interest, even if they areunpopular

Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior


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Integrity

Bangladesh Army

Liberia

October 2007


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UN Core Values

Shows pride in work and in achievements

Demonstrates rofessional com etence and master of sub ect matter

Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlinesand achieving results

s mo va e y pro ess ona ra er an persona concerns

Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges

Remains calm in stressful situations


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Professionalism

Nepal ArmyDemocratic Republic of Congo

2007


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UN Core Values

Works effectively with people from all backgrounds

Treats all people with dignity and respect

Treats men and women equally

Shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and-

Examines own biases and behaviors to avoid stereotypical responses

Does not discriminate against any individual or group


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Respect for Diversity

Civil Affairs Regional Coordinator

LinoLinoCivil Affairs County Coordinator LiberiaJune 2008


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The difference between the work in the


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Fishtown Panoramic View

Jul 2005 Februar 2007

M Accommodation

UN Compound

UN Water Purification Plant


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UN Headquarters New York


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Galaxy

Internship


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Deadline 18 January

UN Core Values

Core Competencies


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Internship Programme Eligibility

Education Be enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school at the time of

application and during the internship Or, if pursuing studies in countries where higher education is not

v e n o un ergra ua e an gra ua e s ages,must have completed four years of full-time studies

Work Experience pro ess ona wor exper ence no requ re .However, work experience in relevant areas is an asset

Languages

Secretariat.Fluency in spoken and written English and/or French is required

English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish are the

official languages of the United Nations


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Before sending your application,ou should consider our abilit to:

Obtain the necessary visas and arrange travel to the Uniteda ons ea quar ers n ew or

Cover the costs of travel, accommodation, as well as livingex enses of the internshi no remuneration

Show proof of valid regular as well as major medical insurance

There should be no expectation of employment within the


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Other internship programmes

s nterns p rogramme s or t e n te at ons

Headquarters in New York only. Other UN Offices, Funds andProgrammes have separate internship arrangements. Students

for further information.http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/internships.htm

Information regarding internship opportunities with the UnitedNations Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific

http://www.unescap.org/jobs/internships/


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Galaxy e-Staffing System

www.jobs.un.org


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Galaxy


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Political Appointments

m ar to ot er nternat ona nst tut ons, t e g est pos t ons ns e

the Secretariat are by political appointment. These include:

- - ,recommendation of the Security Council, for a period of five years

Under Secretary General (USG) Department Head Assistant Secretary General (ASG) Head of Office


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Professional and Higher Categories

Normally at the top of the career line are the two D-positions:

D-2 Director Division Head D-1 General Administrator Service Head

Below there are the five professional levels, from P-1 to P-5, where one,with an advanced university degree, progresses through merit andseniorit .

As the amount of experience increases, so does the professional level:

P-5 13 17 years of relevant experience are required

P-4 8 12 years of experience P-3 4 8 years of experience P-2 Examination or if external recruitment 2 3 ears of ex erience P-1 Recent graduates or UN General Service employees, that have

passed internal qualification examinations


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Professional and Higher Categories Remuneration

e eve o sa ar es or ro ess ona sta s eterm ne on t e

basis of the Noblemaire Principle which states that theinternational civil service should be able to recruit staff from from

, -

The federal civil service of the United States of America has to

date been taken as the highest paid national civil service The post adjustment is one of two main elements (base salary

and post adjustment) comprising the salary of staff in theProfessional and higher categories

The cost-of-living varies significantly between duty stations.The post adjustment is designed to compensate the differences

purchasing power at all duty stations


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General Service

e enera erv ce sector s ma e up o var ous groups, a

occupied with clerical, secretarial and administrative work There are seven levels, indicated as G-1 to G-7 . From these

it is possible to continue to the professional category by internalexaminations

Staff in these cate ories are aid on a local basis. The level of salaries is established in accordance with Flemming Principlewhich provides that the conditions of service for locally recruitedstaff should reflect the best prevailing local conditions


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Field Service

ta n t s category, emp oye n peace- eep ng m ss ons are

internationally recruited and entitled to a range of internationalbenefits

The salary structure is similar to that of Professional staff, with asingle salary scale applicable to worldwide. Salary rates for theseven grades in this category, from F1 to F7 , are likewiseestablished by comparison with similar jobs in the United Statesfederal civil service

With the exception of certain cases, the hierarchicalsubdivision just described is also applied to the autonomousagencies and organizations affiliated to the United Nations


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National Competitive Examination

http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/exam.htm


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National Competitive Examination Eligibility

inadequately represented among the staff of the Secretariat.

The examinations are administered in a number of occupational. , , ,

technology, public information, security, social affairs, statistics.

This is for junior professionals: P1/P2 positions.

Requirements:

(Singapore not included in 2009)

Possess a first level university degree

Be 32 years of age or younger at the time of the application

Fluency either in English or French


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United Nations

htt ://esa.un.or /techcoo /associate ex erts.as _


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Associate Expert Programme

aged below 30 from universities or institutions of higher educationan opportunity to acquire professional experience in the technicalcooperation of the Secretariat

The Associate Experts, who may have limited or no professionalexperience, are recruited under bilateral agreements between the

UN and the donor countries They are provided by 19 governments that participate in the

Associate Experts ProgrammeAustralia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

, , , , , , ,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom

Associate Experts are generally nationals of these countries.Some countries, however, a ree to finance nationals of develo incountries


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Junior Professional Officer (JPO)

http://www.jposc.org/


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JPO Eligibility

.

23 donor governments participate in the Programme:

-,government may also sponsor a small number of developing country

nationals.


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JPO Eligibility

sua y e un er years o age

Masters degree (or equivalent) in a development-relateddiscipline

Minimum of one to two years of working experience in adeveloping country is highly desirable

r en an spo en pro c ency n a eas wo o e ree wor nglanguages used by UNDP: English, French and Spanish Fluency in Arabic, Russian or Portuguese is an asset

A strong commitment to development; an interest in adapting tovaried physical and professional environments; and a desire towork with people with different language, national and culturalbackgrounds combined with gender sensitivity


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United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

http://www.unvolunteers.org


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UNV Eligibility

A university degree or higher technical diplomas Several years of relevant working experience

preferably a minimum of five years Prior volunteering and/or working experience in a developing country

is an asset Good working knowledge in at least one of the three working UN

languages: English, French, and Spanish Arabic Portu uese or Russian are an asset and mi ht be re uested

Valid driving license

Ability to adjust in difficult living conditions

Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment


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Conclusion


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Conclusion

A career ath as a lon ourne should startwith two questions: Who am I? Where do I want to o?

Fair assessment My strengths

This sector is extremely competitive Over 250,000 applications to posts in peace operations each year Besides qualifications, in the United Nations System gender and

nationality considerations are playing a role in recruitment

There are different ways to begin a career within the UN system

Long term strategy


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TipsIn applying be:

Realistic apply only for positions within your reach

Honest never lie

Patient pay attention to the details in preparing your CV, the coverletter, and any supporting documentation. Similarly, use extreme care

in submitting your electronic application forms Perseverant keep applying

Humble meanwhile keep qualifying yourself further, , ,

Specialized gaining specialized expertise either geographical orsectorial increases dramatically your chances

Open do not limit your options


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Other relevant websites

e e e

http://www.reliefweb.int/Vacancies

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)http://jobs.undp.org/

United Nations University International Courses (UNU-IC)http://www.unu.edu/ic/

University for Peace (UPEACE)http://www.upeace.org/


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Questions?

Email: [email protected]


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Credits Slides 3 to 6 sources:

" , ,http://www.abc.net.au/science/moon/earthrise.htm

"Paradigm shift", Wikipedia, 2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_shift

Slide 9 United Nations System Chart:http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80422e/80422E06.htm

Officer, Buchanan 24 October 2007, celebration 62 nd UN Day

Slide 14 picture, UN Public Information, no further data available

e an p c ures, r. no c arra proper y, v a rs

Slide 47, compass rose image, Wikipedia, 2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Compass_Rose_English_North.svg

Slide 51, Never Give Uphttp://yesboleh.blogspot.com/2006/10/never-give-up.html


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Resources

e erence mater a most y rom quote we s tes.

A Guide to a Career with the United Nations , United NationsDepartment of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), no datehttp://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN000153.pdf

United Nations Competencies for the Future , 1999http://www.unep.org/vacancies/PDF/competencies.pdf

Documents

20081028 How to Begin a Career in the United Nations System - Presentation by Lino Sciarra