Key Competencies in the UN

&

Competency Based Interviewing

Helsinki, 7 November 2013Barbara Køgs Andersen, JPO Service Centre, UNDP

careermarketingonline.com

� International experience vs. competencies in the UN

� Identifying your personal competencies

� Competency Based Interviewing

Objectives

Core competencies� Ethics & Values� Working in Teams� Communicating Information & Ideas� Self-management & Emotional intelligence� Decision making

Functional competencies� Job knowledge and technical expertise

UNDP Competency Framework

CIMO/DEMOS study vs UN Competencies

CIMO/DEMOS UNDP

Productivity- Efficiency- Analytical skills- Problem solving

Effectiveness and organizational skillsAnalytical skillsProblem solving

Resilience- Reflection- Persistence- Adaptability

Self-management/emotional intelligenceAccountability / Decision makingFlexibility

Curiosity- Tolerance- Intercultural management- Interest in new things- Networking

Respect for diversityAbility to work in multicultural environmentInnovationNetworking and partnership building

abouthruk.co.uk

� Establishing the post

� Preparing job description

� Vacancy announcement

� Screening/short-listing

� Assessment – written test

� Assessment - interview

� Selection

Use of Competencies in Recruitment

Competencies

participatoryartslearning.wordpress.com

“A combination of skills, knowledge, and behaviors that lead to effective performance on the job.”

The Visible Tip of the Iceberg

wired.com

Competency Based Interviewing

•A structured approach to selection

�Seeks evidence of past performance

�Focuses on what’s important for job success

“Past, demonstrated behaviour is the best indicator of future performance” (UNDP 2008)

Education: MA in Economics, International Relations or other related field

Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience ………

Language: English. Fluency in another UN language is an advantage.

Competencies:

� Functional: Partnership/resource mobilization, client orientation

� Core: Ethics and integrity, teamwork, communication

Duties:

� Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management

� Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy

� Ensures effective advocacy of UN activities

UN Coordination Analyst

Competencies - sample

Ex. Communication:Ability to comfortably use a broad range of communication styles, choosing appropriate, effective ways to communicate to different audiences in different situations. (from www.uvic.ca)

Exercise 1 – Identifying Competencies

Reflect on an experience from your work where you:• Delivered a result which had an impact for others• Used yourself in a positive manner• Felt proud

Write down:• Explain what you did (be specific)• What was the result for clients, partners, team• What competencies did you use?

Preparing for CBI interview� Be strategic and do the homework!

� Understand the organization

� Understand the position

� Think about your strongest accomplishments

� Use examples with high a level of competence

� Use clear language

STAR Communication Method

� Situation

� Task

� Actions

� Results

Sample question on Teamwork

“Describe a successful team work experience”

� What was the situation?

� Which was your role?

� What made the team successful?

� How did you handle disagreement within the team?

� What were the results?

� What did you learn from the experience?

Exercise 2 – Identifying Competencies

Interviewers will look for

� Can you do the job?

� Will you do the job?

� How well will you fit?

During the interview

� Listen carefully to the question

� Ask for clarification if needed

� Use examples you can expand on

� Be concise and clear (STAR)

� Be ready for probing questions

lgsa.org.au

Non-Verbal Communication

� Positioning

� Posture

� Eye contact

� Facial expression

� Head movements

� Gestures

� Paralanguage

toolboxes.flexiblelearning.net.au

Other tips

• If asked “Why are you interested in this position?”• Focus on how your experience and interests

match the competencies of the position

• If asked about your strengths• Emphasize your strengths that match the

competencies of the position

• If asked to identify your biggest weakness• Select a weakness and turn it into a strength• Select a weakness not related to the key

competencies of the position

Other tips continued

� Face to face interviews:� Dress appropriately� Consider your non-verbal communication� Arrive early

� Phone/Skype/VCT interviews:� Find a quiet location� Test the equipment� Stand up

Where to look for more…

JPO Service Centre Career Management Website:http://www.jposc.org/career_management/content/welcome/welcome-en.html

www.Careers.un.org

Thank you for your participation…