Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
ISPI 10 October 2014
Milan
Preparing for a career in International Organizations:
how to submit a meaningful application
to the Italian JPO Programme
Gherardo Casini
Head of Office
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
(UN/DESA)
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action.
The Department works in three main interlinked areas:
• it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which States Members of the United Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options;
• it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges;
• it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capacities.
UN/DESA Office in Rome
The UN/DESA Office in Italy promotes and coordinates several development cooperation initiatives under the framework of UN/DESA's mandate and, in doing so, it liaises with Italian and European institutions, the civil society and the business sector.
Its web site intends to disseminate information about UN/DESA's activities in Italy and beyond to the public, including those related to the human resources development programmes funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy and implemented by UN/DESA:
Italian JPO Programme
Italian Fellowships Programme
www.undesa.it
Who do we look for ? Political affairs & mediation Peacebuidling Peacekeeping Electoral assistance Disarmament
Agriculture Environment Governance Economics & Finance Trade Technology
Treaty and legal affairs Violence against women Genocide and torture Disabilities
Refugees Displacement
Distster Risk Reduction Humanitarian coordination
Protection of civilians Food security
Codification Treaties
Courts and Tribunals Internal justice system
And also for....
Management Administration
Finance Human Resources
Accounts and Payroll Audit
Coordination
What type of person are you ?
• Identify your strenghts and weaknesses
• Analyze what you like and what you would
like to do
• Identify where in the UN System your
contribution could be valuable
• Develop your professional and behavioural
skills
• Examine all options available to you
United Nations Career Opportunities
As of 22 April 2010, all job openings in the United Nations Secretariat are published on the United Nations Careers Portal (careers.un.org), available also in French.
Galaxy is used for openings in Field Missions (peacekeeping and special political missions)
The former UN National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) is now called Young Professionals Programme (YPP). It recruits people for career posts at the Secretariat. Only candidates from participating countries in the NCRE are eligible to take the exam in the given year. Candidates are encouraged to check the website to see if their respective country is participating that year. Candidates must be 32 years old or younger as of 31 December of the year of the exam.
What are they looking for in a candidate ?
What is the added value that I could bring to the UN?
Who will read my application?
When should I apply?
• S/he matches all the requirements of the vacancy/job
description (and brings additional skills)
• S/he is highly motivated and driven by UN values
• S/he possesses an excellent education background (consistent
with the requirements)
• S/he brings additional values to the organization in terms of new
ideas, energy, creativity, etc.
• S/he is able to write well, quickly and concisely in at least two
official languages
• S/he articulates well concepts and ideas, is able to communicate
in public, has diplomatic tact, thinks strategically.
• S/he scores “outstanding” against competency-based interviews
The IDEAL candidate
• Competition is strong in Italy and internationally
• Erasmus, internships and stages are all added value
• Private and public experiences count. International
experience is a plus.
• Knowledge and proof of use of foreign languages is key
• Additional degrees, certificates/training courses are welcome
and sometimes fundamental
• Consistency/coherence of “career development” is relevant.
• Specialize, do not generalize !
• PhD/Master’s vs experience is an open question (depends on
post requirements).
Build your CV
• For UN internships (not paid) see careers.un.org
• Each UN System agency has its own internship programme
(websites of FAO, WFP, UNDP, etc.)
• Voluntary work/internships in UN field offices (be proactive)
• EU, World Bank and other international institutions offer
paid stages/internships
• The Italian Civil Service has an international programme (1
year, under 28 years, through NGOs)
• Non Governmental Organizations may also offer internships
and stages at home and in foreign countries
• Private and public sector experience may also be valuable
(Embassies, Ministries, bilateral cooperation, etc.)
Internships/stages
As competencies relate more to what a person does, than
what a person knows, they are observable. For each
competency it is possible to describe “behavioral
indicators” – actions or behaviors that exemplify the
competency in practice.
These may be helpful in promoting shared values and
common standards of performance and behavior
throughout the Organization.
Work on your competencies
Communication
Teamwork
Planning and Organizing
Accountability
Client Orientation
Creativity
Technological Awareness
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Core Competencies
Interviews are based on a mix of these competencies
10 tips for a good application
Presentation of your CV: clean and clear
Show consistency in your career development
Motivation letter: formal vs. informal. A good opportunity to show your writing skills
Explain well your academic background
Present your technical and professional skills
Demonstrate commitment to UN’s mission and values
Prove your knowledge of the context
Highlight exposure to diversity, multicultural environments, and team work
Prove your language skills (no mistakes !)
INSPIRA on line application system
Automatic review of applications
Automatic rejection of those not meeting key requirements (years of experience, language, etc.)
First review by staff of human resources departments
Release of suitable candidates to Managers
Review of candidates and identification of long lists
Written test (optional)
Identification of short list
Interview of short-listed candidates
Finalization of the process
Some Tips for a Successful Interview
• Appearance (in person or online)
• Punctuality
• Body language
• Listen carefully to questions (take notes)
• Answer the questions, do not go around them
• Bring a copy of your CV for reference
• Show knowledge of the position environment (Organization,
Department, Division, budget, posts, etc.)
• Analyze the vacancy announcement to identify the
competencies required
• Ask questions at the end of the interview
Key Tips for a Successful Interview
Make sure you know who they are and what they do
• Visit their website
• Understand their mandate or work programme
• Search for infomation in the press
• Prepare (your) questions to be asked at the end of the interview
Key tips for a successful interview
Make sure you understood what the job is all about
• Ask yourself how close is your profile to the post
requirements
• Identify what is the added value that you could bring to
the post and the Unit/Office
• Prepare concrete/real cases and examples that are
related to the duties and responsibilities involved
before the interview
Key Tips for a Successful Interview
Prepare answers based on concrete examples on:
• Your strengths and weaknesses (teamwork,
communication skills, etc.)
• Your achievements: how did you do it ?
• Difficult situations: how did you deal with them ?
• Working in multicultural contexts: with examples
possibly linked to teamwork
• Your career perspectives/objectives
CORE VALUES AT THE UN
Professionalism
Integrity
Respect for diversity
PROFESSIONALISM
The International Civil Servant:
shows pride in work and achievements
demonstrates professional competence
is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
shows persistence when faced with difficult problems and challenges
remains calm in stressful situations
INTEGRITY
The International Civil Servant:
demonstrates the values of the Organization
resists political pressure
acts without consideration of personal gains
does not abuse power or authority
stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s
interest
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
The International Civil Servant:
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 demonstrates this in decision- making
does not discriminate against any individual or group
Essential requirements to apply
• University degree:
Laurea specialistica/magistrale/ciclo unico or laurea followed by a University Master's degree
B.A. + University Master’s degree
• Excellent English and Italian
• Italian nationality
JPO / FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAMMES
Competitive requirements
• Specialization course
• Master’s degree
• Ph.D.
• Internship (Stages)
• Fellowship (UN, academic institutes, etc.)
• Professional experience
• Knowledge of other UN official languages (French, Spanish, etc.)
Age limits
JPO/Associate Experts:
- 30 years old (born on or after 1 January 1984)
- 33 for medical doctors (born on or after 1 January 1981)
UN Fellows 2015/2016: 28 years old (born on or after 1 January 1987)
Application deadline for the Italian JPO Programme
12 November 2014 by 3pm
Application deadline
Italian Fellowships Programme 2015/2016
June/July 2015
How to apply to the JPO Programme 2014/2015
To apply to the JPO Programme 2014/2015 potential candidates of Italian nationality must submit by the deadline of 12 November 2014 at 3 pm (Italian local time) the required documentation by using the electronic form available through the UN/DESA website (www.undesa.it) The Programme does no longer accept applications sent by regular mail or personally delivered at the UN/DESA Office in Rome.
How to apply to the JPO Programme 2014/2015
Candidates need to fill all required fields of the electronic form and upload in one PDF document of a maximum size of 2,5 MB the following documentation: 1. Dated and signed Application Form in English, which
includes the space for the preparation of a mandatory Motivation Letter;
2. Copy of the most recent University degree certificate obtained by the application date (or a self-certification document).
The Application Form to apply to the Italian JPO Programme 2014/2015 is available in Word format at http://www.undesa.it/human_resources/download/FORM_JPO_14-15.doc.
Suggested steps to apply
• Read carefully all documents concerning the Italian JPO Programme 2014/2015 and its eligibility criteria available at: http://www.undesa.it/human_resources/jpo.htm
• Download the Application Form from the website (available in Word format at http://www.undesa.it/human_resources/download/FORM_JPO_14-15.doc) and save it in your computer.
• Fill the Application Form in English following carefully the indications provided in the same Application Form. To be valid, the Application Form must be signed (hand-written signature).
Suggested steps to apply
• Collect a copy of the most recent University degree certificate obtained OR prepare a self-certification form concerning the most recent University degree obtained. To be valid the self-certification form must contain: Given Name and Family Name, Date and Place of Birth, University degree obtained, Date of award, Name of the University/Institute, vote or final score and/or total credits obtained. The self-certification form must be dated and signed (hand-written signature).
• Scan electronically in one PDF document your Application Form and University degree certificate (or self-certification form) and save it to your computer in PDF format. Please note that the size of the PDF document shall not be greater than 2,5 MB. As an example, a 12-page document scanned electronically at 200 DPI will not exceed the MB limit.
Suggested steps to apply
• Access the electronic form to submit your application. Please note that the time-out limit of the session is 30 minutes, and supported browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. Should the 30-minute time out limit expire, close the browser and start the procedure again.
• Fill all required fields of the electronic form, upload the PDF document, review the data entered, and submit the candidature.
• After submitting your candidature, a receipt message will be sent to the e-mail address indicated by you in the electronic form.
Applications or documentation received by fax or by e-mail will not be accepted. Multiple candidatures will not be accepted.
The purpose of the JPO Programme
strengthening the operational capabilities of
international organizations in technical cooperation
activities and policy development
associating young professionals to initiatives on
cooperation and development fostering their cultural
and professional growth
Successful JPO candidates will:
Be appointed at the professional entry level of the
International Civil Service Category (P2 or equivalent)
Obtain a one-year contract automatically renewed for a
second year, pending good performance
Serve either at the Headquarters of the organizations
or in their overseas offices
Carry out technical cooperation initiatives or work on
policy and programme development in different
subject areas
JPO/Associate Experts selection process:
Requests from international organizations: November-
January
Decision on posts and assignments: January-February
Pre-selection of candidates: March – April
Interviews by International Organizations: May –July
Training of selected candidates: September(two weeks)
Entry on duty: September - December
JPO Programme 2013/2014
No. Organization Duty station Job Description
1 Bioversity Rome Junior Professional Officer, Science Liaison Officer, Milano EXPO 2015
2 IDB
Washington Associate Professional Officer, Fiscal and Municipal Management Division
3 Washington Associate Professional Officer, Integration and Trade Sector
4 IFAD Rome Associate Professional Officer, Human Resources Division
5 IOM Geneva Junior Professional Officer, Office of the Senior Regional Adviser for Europe and Central
Asia
6 OECD Paris Junior Policy Analyst – Review, Evaluation, and Engagement Division, DCD
7 OHCHR Geneva Associate Expert in Human Rights. Humanitarian Fund and the Special Fund to the Optional
Protocol to the Convention of Torture – Human Rights Treaties Division
8 UN New York Associate Expert, Office of the Chef de Cabinet, Executive Office of the Secretary-General,
EOSG
9 UNDPA New York Associate Expert in Political Affairs, Africa 2 Division
10 UNOCHA Brussels Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer, UN OCHA Liaison Office
11 UNESCO Paris Junior Professional Officer in Cultural and Creative Industries/Diversity of Cultural
Expressions Section
12 UNEP Nairobi UNEP Live, Division of Early Warning and Assessment
13 UNIDO Addis Ababa Agribusiness Development, Human Security, Youth Entrepreneurship
14 UNODC Vienna Associate Expert in Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling
15 UNOPS Jerusalem Junior Professional Officer, Project Management Analyst
16 WFP
Jerusalem JPO on Emergency Preparedness and Response
17 San Salvador JPO on Purchase for Progress
18 WHO Geneva Associate Legal Officer
No. Organization Duty station Job Description
1 FAO Addis Ababa Agribusiness Officer - Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division, Sub-regional Office for
Eastern Africa
2 ICAO Montreal Human Resources Officer, Policy, Organizational and Staff Development Section, Bureau of
Administration and Services
3 UN/DPA New York
Associate Expert in Political Affairs, Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect - Joint
Office of the Special Advisers to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and on
Responsibility to Protect, Department of Political Affairs
4 UN/OCHA New York Associate Expert in Funding Coordination - Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
Funding Coordination Section
5 UNDP Khartoum Coordination Officer, UN System Coordination
6 UNDP/UNCDF Bangkok Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (Local Development and Inclusive Finance, UNCDF Regional Office
for Asia and the Pacific
7 UNEP Nairobi Programme/Project Evaluation Officer, Executive Office
8 UNESCO Paris Associate Expert in Education, Division of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development,
Section of HIV and Health Education
9 UNHCR Geneva Associate Protection Officer (Children), Division of International Protection (Pillar II)
10 UNICEF
Yangon Health and Nutrition Officer
11 Quito Adolescent Development Officer
12 UNODC Nairobi Associate Expert in Legal Counter Piracy Work, Regional Prosecutions of Piracy Suspects, Counter
Piracy Programme, Regional Office for East Africa
13 UNOPS Copenhagen/
Geneva Project Management Practice Analyst, Project Management Practice Group
14 UNRWA Amman Associate Evaluation Officer, Department of Internal Oversight Services
15 WFP Nairobi Logistics Officer, Kenya Country Office
16 WIPO Geneva Junior Legal Officer, International Appellations of Origin Registry, Brands and Designs Sector (in
collaboration with the Design and Geographical Indications)
JPO Programme 2012/2013
JPO Programme Statistics
Intake
Applications
Wmn
(%)
Age
(Avrg.)
Adv.
Degree
Pre-
Selec.
Wmn
(%)
Age
(Avrg.)
Adv.
Degree
N° of
Posts
Wmn
(%)
Age
(Avrg.)
Adv.
Degree
2013/2014 3.545 64% 27 30% 144 53% 29 56% 18 56% 28 50%
2012/2013 2.565 64% 27 27% 128 66% 29 48% 16 63% 29 44%
2011/2012 2.442 65% 27 30% 100 57% 28 55% 13 77% 28 70%
2010/2011 2.604 64% 27 34% 110 73% 29 62% 14 57% 29 57%
2009/2010 3.288 63% 27 34% 152 59% 29 67% 18 50% 28 61%
2008/2009 2.899 65% 27 40% 147 61% 29 70% 17 59% 29 71%
2007/2008 2.907 65% 27 41% 340 55% 28 65% 60 43% 28 65%
2001/2002 2.331 60% 27 22% 334 60% 28 48% 55 53% 28 57%
JPO Programme – Active Donor Countries
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Kuwait
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Nigeria
• Norway
• Qatar
• Republic of Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United States
The Fellowships Programme
The programme started in 1999
394 Fellows served in developing countries
since the inception of the Programme.
37 will leave to their duty stations in January 2015.
Total = 431
The Fellowships Programme
11 and half months in developing countries in UN offices
or offices of the Italian Development Cooperation
two-week orientation course in December before joining
the duty stations
on-the-job training in the field of international
co-operation (January to December)
In 2014/15, 37 Fellows will be assigned to:
13 Local Technical Units of the Italian Development Cooperation (14 Fellows)
8 International Organizations: FAO, IOM, UN/OCHA, UNCDF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNRC, WFP – offices in developing countries (23 Fellows)
Fellows receive:
Airplane tickets (A/R) to the countries of destination
Monthly stipends based on the cost of living of the
countries of destination
Medical insurance
Albania
Benin
Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Cuba
Djibouti
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Jordan
Kenya
Mozambique
Myanmar
Niger
Palestinian Territories
Senegal
Sudan
Tunisia
Viet Nam
Duty stations for 2015
Fellowships Programme Statistics
Intake Applic. Wmn
(%)
Age
(Avrg.)
Adv.
Degree
Pre-
Select.
Wmn
(%)
Age
(Avrg.)
Adv.
Degree
N° of
Posts
Wmn
(%)
Age
(Avrg.)
Adv.
Degree
2015 905 68% 26 20%
2014 1.213 66% 26 16% 293 71% 26 20% 43 60% 26 21%
2013 1.030 65% 26 18% 147 63% 27 23% 20 70% 26 10%
2012 1.326 66% 26 19% 154 60% 27 26% 23 57% 27 30%
2011 1.410 67% 26 21% 146 69% 27 34% 21 48% 27 29%
2010 1.466 68% 26 23% 123 69% 27 36% 22 68% 27 45%
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT/Ministero/Servizi/Italiani/Opportunita/Nelle_OO_II/PerGiovani/
UNDESA Office Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 251
00186 Roma
tel. +39 06 68136320
www.undesa.it
E-mail:
