The United Nations: Entry Opportunities for Graduates ......The United Nations: Entry Opportunities...
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The United Nations: Entry Opportunities for Graduates & Junior Professionals Mosaïque, UNIL Lausanne, 15 November 2016 Vittoria Groh Talent Management & Outreach Assistant
The United Nations: Entry Opportunities for Graduates ......The United Nations: Entry Opportunities for Graduates & Junior Professionals Mosaïque, UNIL Lausanne, 15 November 2016
cinfo – the Centre for Information, Counselling and Training for Professions Relating to IC
www.cinfo.ch
IC job market
Network platform
Career development
Recruitment services
Intercultural cooperation
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Présenter cinfo brièvement Focal point UNV en Suisse Missions de recrutement des juniors confiées à cinfo par les acteurs suisses (DFAE, DFE) : but = promouvoir la présence suisse dans les OI Pour gens avec plus d’expérience (ONU ou non) : présence des organisations lors du Forumcinfo, webinar sur les organisations partenaires (UNFPA en décembre, autres 2014) Cinfo provides an overview of the IC job market up-to-date and relevant information through a neutral body IC specific counselling concerning career development, recruitment services and intercultural cooperation IC relevant further training an exchange and network platform So where do we work and what do we do? Cinfo is the centre of information, counselling and training for professions in International Cooperation. As a competence centre we are present in every aspect of the IC job market. We are active in four fields: Networking platform: -Exchange between skilled professionals and juniors / Networking at events / Encounter with HR from IC actors representatives -Provide actual information on developments in the IC job market As for Career development services we organise: Broader events in the field of career orientation you’ll hear more about it in the next slide Individualised career support We in the field of personnel marketing / recruitment services do carry out mandated recruitment activities as well as recruitment support. We have a mandate to enhance the number of Swiss nationals in UN organisations, which is why we are very active in this field too, via organising outreach events and recruitment missions. -Intercultural cooperation is essential in all these aspects. We provide specialised publications and courses focusing on intercultural topics like security and stress in foreign countries, p.ex. .
What is International Cooperation?
Humanitarian aid
Development cooperation
Economic cooperation and development
Peace promotion and security
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Who can tell us what International Cooperation IS? Which are the main fields that this sector can be classified in? Enumeration… yes, exactly… There are different def. on what international cooperation is. The one we have here can also be applied to other areas, but it entails all elements of our understanding of international cooperation.
A UN career: Is this for me?
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Première réflexion à mener Quelle genre de vie est-ce que je souhaite mener ? Work-live balance – projets familiaux – carrières nomades Se poser la question si c’est un environnement professionnel qui me correspond : Explorer la Galaxie ONU : variété des acteurs (secrétariat, agences, agences partenaires, banques de développement, etc.), variété de conditions, chaque agence à sa politique RH !!! Secrétariat/UNOG = quotats par nationalités (YPP = outil pour gérer les quotats) ; pas de quotat dans les agences… variétés des missions Genève, New York, mais aussi ailleurs Conditions d’embauche : concurrence, type de contrats (short term), niveaux de salaire, etc Mon style de travail est-il compatible ? Tester en faisant un stage NE PAS SE FIXER SUR QUE L’ON LIT UNE FOIS / CONDITIONS NE SONT PAS TOUJOURS LES MEMES / DIVERSITE DANS LES PO. – RH «International career»: A life choice Great opportunities for professional and personal development Contributing to a mission beyond economical benefit Deep satisfaction to see the benefits of work in many cases Regular re-orientation Reconciliation of professional and private life Geographic mobility Ability to deal with contradictoriness Low security contexts
The United Nations System International Court of Justice
General Assembly
Funds and Programmes • UNDP • UNV • UNEP • UNFPA • UN-HABITAT • UNHCR • UNICEF • UNODC • UNRWA • UN Women • WFP Other entities • UNAIDS • UNOPS Related Organisations • IAEA • OPCW • WTO
Specialised Agencies • FAO • IFAD • ILO • IMF • UNESCO • UNIDO • WHO • Word Bank
Group (IBRD, ICSID, IDA, IFC, MIGA)
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Very briefly, so that we all know what we are talking about. The UN system is a rather complex building of numerous Departments, Organizations, Agencies, Funds, and Programmes. There are five active UN principal Organs which have been established with the Organization’s foundation in 1945. This slide is a simplified version of the UN construction and only shows the main reporting lines of the various entities to the five principal organs. I have also included the Multilateral Development Banks on this slide – just for reference. They do not belong to the UN system, except for the World Bank group. The World Bank group is part of the Development Banks, but also belongs to the UN system, as a specialized agency. “Specialized Agencies» which are all autonomous organisations collaborating with the UN and each other. The World Bank was created at the Bretton Woods conference in 1944. Multilateral Development Banks = institutions that provide financing and professional advising for the purpose of development = banking institutions with large memberships including developed donor countries as well as developing borrower countries The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) The African Development Bank (AfDB) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) The label «United Nations» includes a wide network of organisations dealing with different mandates and areas of interventions, which offer a broad range of employment opportunities with the most diverse professional requirements, aspirations and aptitudes. The United Nations (UN), or the United Nations Organisation (UNO), was founded in 1945, after the second World War to seek solutions to the three thematic areas outlined in its Charter: peace and security; the protection and promotion of human rights; and human development. The UNO then, over the years, created the United Nations system, representing a network of international organisations, treaties and conventions. Today, the work of the various UN organisations touches every corner of the globe with its humanitarian, development and political activities (Graph 1).Some agencies serve as funds and programmes reporting directly to the UN General Assembly, one of the five active principal organs of the United Nations system. These include for example the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Other well-known agencies, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) or the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) serve as so-called «specialised agencies». These also include the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Since Switzerland is a member state of all of them, Swiss nationals can apply for all international positions the banks offer. However / Yet, these institutions and their various career opportunities are not very well known in Switzerland. For this reason cinfo created the following list with 10 facts you probably did not know about MDBs. The WB comprises two institutions managed by 188 member countries which act as borrowers, lenders or donors and which collectively set out policies and oversee operations: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) The International Development Association (IDA) These institutions are also part of a larger body known as the «World Bank Group» (WBG) and consisting of five branches in total: The IBRD The IDA The International Finance Corporation (IFC) The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) The International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
54% Field Operations 30% Headquarters
9% others
7% regional commissions
UN system: staff worldwide
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Nearly 16,000 people are employed by the UN Secretariat. The UN System as a whole, the UN and its related progammes and specialised agencies, employs some 63,450 people worldwide. Close to 60% of them are being deployed in the field. This includes a large number of international civilian personnel working for currently 16 peacekeeping operations. In the field, country and field offices are responsible for on the ground implementation of programmes and activities. They are served by Regional Offices that provide technical and operational support and advisory services. There various types of posts and a wide range of skills are required. Among their ranks, UN staff members can monitor disarmament, support the organisation of elections, coordinate relief in humanitarian crises, raise funds for educational projects, and provide administrative as well as logistical support to carry out the complex mandates. These are just a few examples. In principle, every professional with operational or technical skills can apply for a job with the UN. While every organisation always has need of operational staff such as administration and finance professionals, each one has different technical needs according to its areas of intervention. While UNDP may look for governance and climate change experts, UNICEF may need child protection and nutrition officers In contrast, the headquarters are involved in managerial overview and back-up work. It is also at headquarters level where political and institutional activities relating to the functioning of the UN take place. While the main headquarters of the UN are in New York, two thirds of the activities of the UN system take place in Geneva Around 8,500 staff work for the UN family in Geneva, making it the largest concentration of UN personnel in the world.
The UN: Types of positions
Interns
Consultants
United Nations Volunteers
UN Staff members:
- Professional (P) positions
- General Service (G) positions
UN Hierarchy: Professional (P) positions Secretary-General (SG) Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Under Secretary-General (USG) Assistant-Secretary-General (ASG) Director, Level 2 (D-2) Director, Level 1 (D-1) Professional, Level 5 (P-5) - 10 years’ work experience Professional, Level 4 (P-4) - 7 years’ work experience Professional, Level 3 (P-3) - 5 years’ work experience Professional, Level 2 (P-2) - 2 years’ work experience
Political appointments
Senior level
Mid-career level
Junior level
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Globalement acquérir de l’expérience à l’intérieur du système onusien est un atout pour s’y développer MASTER 2 catégories de personnel à différencier (il en existe davantage…) Ne pas s’attarder car sera sûrement repris par Mmes Molinier et O’Connel Les administrateurs et fonctionnaires de rang supérieur (P et D) sont normalement recrutés sur le plan international; il est escompté qu'ils remplissent leurs fonctions dans différents lieux d'affectation pendant leur carrière à l'Organisation. Des postes de cette catégorie sont vacants dans tous les lieux d'affectation de l'ONU, dans le monde entier. General service:��HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA !!! Pas facile de passer de G à P Les agents des services généraux et le personnel des catégories apparentées sont recrutés sur place, dans la région où un bureau donné est situé, et peuvent avoir n'importe quelle nationalité. En conséquence, il n'est pas escompté que ces agents changent de lieu d'affectation. Les titulaires de certains postes linguistiques de la catégorie des services généraux, comme par exemple les assistants d’édition et de publication assistée par ordinateur peuvent être recrutés sur le plan international, si l’on ne dispose pas sur place de candidats remplissant des critères linguistiques spécifiques. En général, les avis de vacance de postes à la classe de début de la catégorie des services généraux et des catégories connexes sont publiés localement, ce qui signifie que ces postes ne figurent pas sur le site Web.
Requirements for “P” positions at the UN
Regular positions usually require: strong academic background language proficiency at least 5 years of relevant work
experience expert knowledge relevant competencies
How do I acquire these skills to compete as a
candidate?
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Not included here: excellent command of languages, usually english, often French and English, and a strong academic background (MA) UN Professional Profiles Many of the posts available have high-level requirements with strong academic and professional backgrounds including several years of international experience in their area of expertise. Work experience should be relevant to the job for which a person is applying. A Masters Degree is generally a must. Soft Skills: In addition to hard skills, applicants will often be asked to demonstrate a range of soft skills, especially during the interview. Soft skills may include adaptability and cultural sensitivity.a strong commitment to development, leadership capacities, project management skills, planning and organisational skills or the ability to work in a group. The interview in the UN system mostly takes place in form of a so-called «competency-based interview». This means, that candidates are asked to demonstrate their competencies on the basis of past experiences and ways they dealt with specific situations And, with the mobility policy, all staff is expected to move functions, departments, duty stations or organisations periodically after two to five years. (UN, field, thematic knowledge) As mentioned earlier, what is mportant: acquire work experience (in UN or elsewhere! In International Cooperation or elsewhere!)
Entry doors?
Young Professionals Programmes (P-2 level) Consultancies UNV Specialist assignments Internships Junior Professional Officer (JPO) (P-2 level) United Nations Youth Volunteers Programme www.cinfo.ch → cinfoPoste
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Apply to… 5 years of professional experience required Not all of these are officially considered entry-doors, but since you acquire experience/exposure – you may still want to consider them as entry point Government funded: All of these positions are financed by the Swiss Confederation. The UN Youth Volunteers Programme and the JPO positions are managed by cinfo. All positions are advertised on cinfoPoste. Requirements vary, but for all: Swiss nationality is required The objective of all of them is to two-fold: provide the Organisations with human resources (just another way to contribute (vs Financial contribution)); Capacity building of Swiss nationals Each of them also has its own objective: through the UN Youth Volunteers Programme, the Swiss Government wants to offer Swiss young graduates the possibility to gain first work experience in IC, in the field, with the UN Same for the UNV Specialist funded positions Junior Professional Officers/AssEx aim at increasing the number of Swiss in Ios – so there is an expectation of JPOs to remain with in the system after the JPO assignment
1. Internships For students
Opportunity to gain… …Practical …IC experience …UN experience
Requirements Usually enrolment in university studies Proficiency in English
To apply: UN Organisations’ websites
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Purpose: to gain practical experience, improve your skills and complement your studies (not an entry �door as such) No funding by Swiss Government $: usually not remunerated Usually enrollement in MA (!) studies required Excellent opportunity to test the professional environemnt, is the UN/a Development Bank the right place for me to work and start a career? UN system: Non-remunerated, Dvp Banks: sometimes remunerated Mission: from a few weeks to 6 months Commencer déjà pendant les études à acquérir de l’expérience professionnelle Faire des stages. D’après ce que cinfo observe, les personnes qui s’intéressent à la CI font en moyenne deux stages en début de carrière. Buts d’un stage : acquérir de l’expérience professionnelle, tester des hypothèses de carrière (en particulier des environnements de travail), découvrir une organisation de l’intérieur… Si on fait plusieurs stages, s’efforcer de les différencier : durée, type d’organisations, CH-étranger, nature du travail/niveau de responsabilité Mentionner la Geneva Interns Association http://internsassociation.org/ D’abord le Secrétariat, puis les Agences, puis les acteurs genre Global Fund // Indépendance plus grande des acteurs des plus éloignés du cœur de l’ONU (Secrétariat)
2. United Nations Youth Volunteers Programme For graduates
Opportunity to gain… …IC experience …UN experience
…Field experience Requirements Master degree Max. 28 years old Swiss nationality Proficiency in English and 2 official Swiss languages Volunteering and/or practical experience in IC
To apply: www.cinfo.ch → cinfoPoste
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expertise in international cooperation, i.e. peace and security, international development, human rights and humanitarian affairs Mobility & Adaptability Funded by Swiss Confederation (HSD, SDC) MA degree required Officially no professional experience required, but of course if you have already done an internship during your studies, you have a competetive advantage. How to apply www.cinfo.ch → cinfoPoste 20 - 22 positions advertised in September each year Duration of assignment 1 year This is a much neglected programme. We only receive about 100 applications per year (for about 20 positions). They however offer one of the rare opportunities to acquire field experience, professional expertise and knowledge of UN system. UNV Study: Objective Evaluate impact of a UNV mission on the career development of former Swiss UN Volunteers Results High value of experience as UNV Intern or Specialist High retention rate of Swiss UNVs in international cooperation and the UN
3. UNV Specialist positions For young professionals with 2–3 years’ work experience
Opportunity to gain… …IC experience …UN experience …Field experience
Requirements Master degree Min. 25 years Min. 2–3 years’ relevant work experience Proficiency in English
To apply: www.unv.org (→ register on the UNV database!)
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Recruitment is done by Bonn, we advertise only. Mobility and adaptability, flexibility UNV website:�http://www.unv.org/en/how-to-volunteer/register-to-be-a-un-volunteer.html�Registration in UNV Specialist database Duration 6 months to 3 years, possibility of extension Remueration: Living Allowance
4. Programmes for young professionals (P-2) For young professionals with 2–3 years’ work experience
Opportunity to … …start an international career in a multilateral organisation
Requirements Master degree 2-3 years’ relevant work experience Proficiency in English and 1 other UN official
language Interest in longer-term international career
To apply: UN Organisations’ websites
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Purpose: to start a career in the UN/Development Bank system Missions: 1-3 years, usually subsequent long-term employment $: remunerated (Salary) Funding: organisation Highly competitive selection processes Few positions These programmes are the «best» way to enter the UN… but highly competitive and few positions – you have to compete against the entire world (written exams, oral interviews)… You get a UN salary, and if you perform well, you get offered a long-term employment without further having to apply etc.
5. Junior Professional Officers For young professionals with 2–3 years’ work experience
Opportunity to … …start an international career in a multilateral organisation
Requirements Master degree Max. 32 years old Swiss nationality 2-3 years’ relevant work experience Proficiency in English and 1 other UN official language Interest in longer-term international career
To apply: www.cinfo.ch → cinfoPoste
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Because the competitivion for internal junior programmes is so high, about 20 member states fund the so called Junior Profesisonal Officer (JPO) or Associate Experts positions. Fewer applicants P-2 level Limited duration of assignment, thereafter you have to apply… To promote Swiss nationals in multilateral organizations 2 Departments, 4 offices 4 supporting offices Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Human Security Division (HSD) United Nations and International Organisations Division (UNIOD) State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) These are not entry doors into the Swiss Confederation! (old SDC JPO Programme) Remuneration: Fixed term contracts, P-2 level www.cinfo.ch → cinfoPoste
What can I do? Get your degree! Improve your language skills Gain professional experience
(during and after your studies) Gain experience abroad Do good - engage socially Volunteer Build a network Become alumni!
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What can I do to strengthen my profile ? Exp. Étranger: Volontariat, travaux d’études (MA) sur le terrain Engagement associatif Des facteurs qui augment la chance d’entrer; montrer motivation So what can you do now to prepare? Of course: get your degree in an IC-relevant area, which you are already doing. Write your papers in this area, etc. Get engaged socially, do sports in a team, lead a team. Write that in your CV. This shows that you bring specific competencies. Then of course: languages, improve them! Apply already now for internships, maybe for two months assignments at a Swiss Embassy somewhere, or the Swiss Mission in New York, the UN…go abroad, volunteer, visit events and panel discussions to grow your network, and when you finished studying: become alumni!
Competences Strengths, weaknesses Experience? Goals and Interests?
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Now, you must be very eager to apply to one of these different progammes, right? So, before you apply to one of these programmes or positions mentioned, we’d like to give you some tips on how to prepare your application. Very important first: reflect on who you are, what interests you, what your qualities are, any achievements, strengths, weaknesses…it really helps to write them down, to do sort of a list, or a catalogue of characteristics you’d bring to different positions. Whenever you see a job that really interests you, read the description very carefully, and more than once. There are requirements, resp., competencies, and it requires a certain motivation. Before planning to apply, make a checklist, do you really understand the position? Do you bring all these requirements? How would you express your achievements related to these areas? Your CV is the most important thing, the first thing a recruiter sees. In this area, they often have to handle many many applications and thus, take 1 – 2 minutes to decide if they want to keep you for the next round or not. So you might have to adapt your CV to each position. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. If you want, we could have a look at the TOR of the UN Youth Vol. position and discuss…? Préparer une postulation est un processus : Se connaître Comprendre le poste Rédiger le CV Ecrire la lettre de motivation ou de couverture LES ETAPES 1 et 2 SONT LES PLUS IMPORTANTES POUR COMMENCER
Example of career path
Poste Junior
Stage No 1
Stage No 2
Mandats Consultant-e
Volontariat
Diplôme
Poste
p.e. UN YPP, JPO
Davantage d’expérience professionnelle →
Le réseau est important →
p.e. UN Youth
Volutneers programme
p.e. avec une ONG
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Exemple de carrière, en passant par les positions pour jeunes professionnels
Where to find vacancies Career pages of UN Organisations
− Check each career page! − UN Job Finder: https://unjobfinder.org/ − ICSC Jobnet: http://jobs.unicsc.org/
United Nations Volunteers http://www.unv.org/
cinfoPoste http://www.cinfo.ch/en/cinfoposte
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GM Nun haben wir Ihnen noch einige Tipps zu Einstiegsmöglichkeiten zusammengefasst. Das meiste davon finden Sie auch auf unserer Website, unter ‘Entry Points’. Wir empfehlen Ihnen, sich bei der Suche an Career Centres zu wenden, Networking Events, und wenn sie so weis sind, Alumniveranstaltungen zu besuchen. Bereichern Sie Ihr Netzwerk. Für solche die Zivildienst leisten: Die Erfahrungen die man sammelt während eines Auslandaufenthaltes im Rahmen des Zivildiensteinsatzes, ist sehr anerkannt in der IZA. Dann weiter: Praktikumsstellen in der Bundesverwaltung finden sie wiederum auf cfp, auf der EDA-Seite unter Jobs, und auch bei PA III (Politische Abteil. UN / IO) und PA IV (AMS). Sie können es auch mit Spontanbewerbungen versuchen, bei denjenigen Stellen, wo dies klar erwünscht und gekennzeichnet ist. Zivildienstleistende: - Mindestalter 25 Jahre - Abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung oder mehrere Studienjahre - Arbeitserfahrung im Ausland, mit Vorteil in der internationalen Zusammenarbeit - Kenntnisse der jeweiligen Amtssprache(n) im Einsatzland - Umfassende Kenntnisse über das Einsatzland oder ein vergleichbares Land - Fachkompetenz im Einsatzbereich (z.B. Berufserfahrung als Freiwilliger in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, Ausbildung als Tropenarzt oder Landwirtschaftsspezialist)
cinfo can support you...
Information via
Website Newsletter Publications Social Media
Career orientation and Training
Reflection Day Individual career advice Group career orientation
Application and Recruitment support
cinfoPoste Job Application Support (application & interview) Information and Recruitment Events
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What does this mean for you? As a potential job seeker in the IC sector, you can benefit from us in three different ways: Information: by subscribing to our newsletter (complete sheet), reading our publications (found on our website), and following us on Facebook and Linkedin Career orientation and development of competencies: at any point in your career, you can receive a CV check, sign up for a Reflection Day, receive individual career advice or career orientation. You can find our prices on our website. And finally regularly check our jobs database cinfoPoste, sign up for individual recruitment support, and attend our information and recruitment events (working with the UN, IFIs, etc.)
Contact us!
Reflection Day: 8 December 2016 International Career Day: April 2017 in Lausanne cinfoPoste Newsletter Individual career advice Forum cinfo 2016: Videos
