Employment in International Organisations

Advice on preparing an application

Robin BroadwayLSE Careers Service

October 2007

What we will cover in this seminar

• Types of international organisations• How international organisations operate• The nationality issue• How multilaterals are organised• What kinds of vacancies they have• Advice on making an application

… and your questions

Types of International Organisations

• UN Family

• International Financial Institutions

• World and regional political groupings (like OPEC, NATO, ASEAN, The Commonwealth, The Gulf Cooperation Council, Non-Aligned Movement)

• World and regional interest groups (e.g., International Whaling Commission, International Coffee Organisation, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie)\

• See Northwestern University’s list on their website: www.library.northwestern.edu/govinfo/resource/internat/igo.html

UN Agencies attending the event

• UN Secretariat

• UN Development Program

• UNICEF

• International Labour Organisation

…but there are many more

• UN Environment Program (UNEP) UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)• UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Food Program (WFP)• UN Population Fund (UNFPA) International Criminal Court (ICC)• UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) UN Industrial Dev. Org. (UNIDO)• UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) World Health Organisation (WHO)• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) World Tourism Org. (WTO)• International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) World Meteorological Org. (WMO)• International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Universal Postal Union (UPU)• International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Trade Organisation (WTO)• World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) International Court of Justice (ICJ)• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• You can look them up on: www.unsystem.org

International Financial Institutions

• World Bank Group (proper name: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development – IBRD)

includes International Finance Corporation - IFC

And the regional development banks

African Development Bank (AfDB) Asian Development Bank (AsDB)Black Sea Development Bank Caribbean Development Bank European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)Inter-American Development Bank (IaDB)Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

International Financial Institutions

• Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

• International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• European Central Bank (ECB)

• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

European Institutions

• European Commission

• European Central Bank

• European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund

• European Parliament

• Also Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights, European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), European Patent Office

How international organisations are governed

How International Organisations are governed

Government Board of Governors

MPs Executive Board

Voters Staff

The Nationality Issue

Normally, to join the staff of an international organisation, you need to be a national of one of the member countries

At the UN, BIS,IFC, IMF and World Bank, almost all countries are members

Regional development banks are restricted to nationals from regional country members and from donor countries

For European institutions, you have to be a European national.

Check the international organisation’s website to see if you are eligible to join.

Nationality balance

• Countries want their influence and staff share to equal their financial stake

• Solutions(i) Staff quotas and “tied” positions(ii) A balance between a country’s

contribution of resources, voting strength and share of staff.

• Impact on you as an applicant, as a staff member?

Organisational structure

The head of an agency(a political appointment)

chairs (and is responsible to)

The President (Head of the Agency)chairs

the Executive Board(whose members are nominated or elected by the

constituent countries)

which controls the direction of the organisation and approves all major decisions

******The agency head

managesthe staff and the day-to-day running of the organisation

Types of appointment in an international organisation

• Professional levels (including managers)

(Paraprofessionals)

• Administrative levels

Also contractual and consultant employees

Employment opportunities

• Mid-level and senior vacancies – mainly filled from within. Some external hiring in order to make up for attrition through resignations and to hire staff with new skills that are in demand

• Entry-level professional – external hiring, usually through a high-quality “generalist” program

• Contractual/consultant – usually external, to meet short-term specific needs

• Internships

What are international organisations looking for?

Their first priority: professional (technical) knowledge and skills

They usually require: at minimum Masters; PhD often preferred

Economists, development specialists, financial analystsEngineers (infrastructure – transportation, water etc)Specialists in public health, education, environment, etc.Lawyers, IT specialists, HR, Controllers, Auditors etc.

…and

2. Relevant work experience (at entry level, at least three years relevant work experience at the professional level, preferably dealing with policy

issues) 3. Strong analytical skills

4. Ability to write well in English

5. International work or study experience

6. Other language skills

7. Excellent “soft” and people skills

What kind of “soft” skills?

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills• Initiative (a “self-starter,” little supervision needed)• Reliability (if you are given a job, you get it done)• Good organisational skills and good work habits

(especially, ability to work to deadline)• Flexibility (able to handle unexpected changes)• Team-spirit (willing to help others)• Commitment and dedication to the agency’s mission• Patience; good humour; if possible, sense of humour• Diplomacy and tact• Awareness of cultural and political differences

When reading an application, what are recruiters looking for?

In addition to the factors mentioned above…

The facts, clearly and succinctly laid out

No unsupported claims about yourself and your abilities

First-class academic qualifications and good work experience (incl. internships, research assistant and teaching assistant positions)

Heading

NamePut family name in capitals (or family name you

normally use, e.g. CHUA Hong Wong , Antonio MERCADO Fabrigas

Address (the one where you would like the appointment letter to be sent!)

NationalityDate of BirthTelephone (land-line and mobile)E-mail address (in bold; just one; important as

that’s how they will probably contact you)

Education

In reverse chronological order, giving most space to the important elements

Degree Subject University Dates(give expected grade, distinction, etc)

Thesis topic and published papers

Final secondary school, indicating country and, very briefly, your exam results

Experience

• Like with education, in reverse chronological order, giving most space to the most important items.

• Indicate very briefly what you did in each job, focusing on achievements if possible

• Give dates (try to avoid long gaps)

• Internships, volunteer work, RA and TA work can also be included

General Tips

• Keep it brief and to the point – remember the “1.00 am and 25 to go” factor

• Keep it under 2 pages, unless you have a long publication list

• Target your application to what the employer needs (find this out)

• Well-structured; clear; good English• Don’t make unsupported statements; avoid self-

aggrandizing adjectives. Let the facts speak for themselves.

Any questions?