Key Competencies in the UN Competency Based · PDF fileKey Competencies in the UN &...

Key Competencies in the UN

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Competency Based Interviewing

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

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� 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

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� Establishing the post

� Preparing job description

� Vacancy announcement

� Screening/short-listing

� Assessment – written test

� Assessment - interview

� Selection

Use of Competencies in Recruitment

Competencies

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

The Visible Tip of the Iceberg

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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

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Non-Verbal Communication

� Positioning

� Posture

� Eye contact

� Facial expression

� Head movements

� Gestures

� Paralanguage

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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…