In search of a new world order

WORLD peace and international cooperation may seem like mere words often bandied about without a care. Inspite of jaded perceptions, world bodies like the UN continue to render yeoman service to the global population in times of strife and crisis.

The United Nations and its various agencies are known for the aid, support and help that they provide in various apolitical areas of human life such as human rights, welfare of children and refugees, labour rights, food and agriculture, international justice, disarmament, de- mining, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, drug trafficking and terrorism, monetary aid, etc.

Presently, the UN has more than 30 affiliate organisations that aid in its humanitarian and peace keeping efforts. With more than 180 countries as its members now, the UN plays a pivotal role in deciding the destiny of many a nation.

The works

The UN essentially is constituted of six main agencies, the International Court of Justice, the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the Secretariat.

The Secretariat

The UN Secretariat carries out the chief administrative and other independent work of the UN as specified by main agencies and other UN organs. The workforce is posted in duty stations such as New York, (the headquarters), Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna.

Work in the UN Secretariat centres mainly around administrative, legal, finance, economics, linguistics, public information, library sciences, statistics and social development. The Office of the Human Resources Management (OHRM) in the UN manages and coordinates the recruitment scene in the UN.

Recruitment into the Secretariat is essentially through recruitment ads in leading publications such as the Economist and through the National Competitive Recruitment Examinations.

The National Competitive Recruitment Examinations are conducted in countries that are inadequately represented in the Secretariat. This examination enables recruitment for junior (P1 and P2) and senior (P3) professionals into various occupational segments in the Secretariat. You need to be 32 years old or younger to apply as a junior professional. Candidates not older than 39 years can apply as senior professionals. Applicants for both the posts need to be fluent either in English or French. While it is necessary for junior professionals to possess a first level university degree, senior professionals need to have an advanced degree.

Examinations to screen and select linguists are conducted as and when required. The applicants must be fluent with at least one of the six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). Translators must possess good command in over any two of the official languages to be able to translate effortlessly. Similarly, excellent auditory comprehension capabilities in at least two official languages are a prerequisite for translators.

Each of the UN agencies and affiliated organisations has a separate Secretariat and governing body. Recruitment into these specialised organisations is done by the particular organisation. Those interested in working with specialised agencies (ILO, FAO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNHCR, World Bank etc) can write to the respective agency for more information, submit their CVs or apply online.

Selection

The UN selects from vast subsection of people and diverse geographical area (to ensure equitable representation of member states), qualified professionals with an advanced university degree and a minimum of six years professional experience for middle and senior level posts. UN information centres or the Foreign Ministry of the respective countries can be contacted for information on current job vacancies.

The UN Peace-Keeping Operations is a specialised function for which recruitments are made specifically. The UN often requires the support of the civilian population, and professionals from various fields can lend their services and expertise in areas such as political affairs, legal affairs, human rights, election monitoring, humanitarian assistance, public information, general administration, procurement, logistics, civil engineering, and electronic data processing.

Peacekeeping is a challenging area of work and requires people with an advanced university degree or its equivalent in the fields mentioned above, and a minimum of four years of experience in the relevant profession in a developing nation. Additionally, knowledge of and fluency in English or French (fluency in other official UN languages is welcome) is necessary. The conditions of work are often difficult, trying and even dangerous. The duty station of assignment is a non-family station and apart from the pay package, the peace worker is given subsistence allowance to cover the living expenses.

In addition to economic, social and developmental issues, the UN is also concerned with administering and providing technical assistance to developing countries on request. The member states provide the necessary assistance to the country seeking aid, usually as a senior advisor. Interested individuals need to have extensive experience in the relevant field and should have achieved a creditable position of responsibility with an excellent track record of professional achievement or expertise to apply for such posts.

Interesting and challenging opportunities are open to graduate students in the mode of internship programmes. However, interns will have to finance their study period themselves, either through governmental support or otherwise. These programmes are offered thrice a year for a period of two-months each. Projects such as these provide students with a better understanding and worldview of global issues, and the role of the UN in finding solutions for the same.

UNICEF

UNICEF is one of the pioneer projects of the UN, which works untiringly in improving the condition of children across the world. Headquartered in New York, UNICEF has around 8 regional centres and 125 country offices. The Innocenti Research Centre based in Italy is the main research body of the UN and works towards creating an agenda for children. UNICEF works in co- ordination and co-operation with governments and NGOs, and other UN organisations in 161 countries, striving to establish the rights of children.

The UNICEF responds to crises, by influencing the political will and enabling the material resources to the most deprived and needy section of children, those affected by natural calamities, diseases, poverty, abuse, exploitation, war, disabilities etc.

UNICEF employs through various modes such as through job postings of current vacancies, the internship, junior professionals and volunteers programme.

The internship programme is open to graduates and students enrolled in a graduate course. The students should also be fluent in English and one other UN language. Academic excellence is however a must to apply. The interns' qualification, preferences and interests will be considered while placing him in a department. Every applicant is allowed to opt for only a single internship programme. The period of internship normally lasts from 6 to 16 weeks. The work differs according to the department assigned and the project allotted.

As the UNICEF doesn't provide financial assistance, interns will have to make their own financial arrangements. The UN also doesn't promise any placement service.

Young professionals working with governments in Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and the UK can apply for the Junior Professional Officer Programme (JPOP). This programme is open to professionals who are interested in gaining experience in development programmes and are citizens of the mentioned countries. Applicants within the age group of 28 and 32 years can post their CVs to the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, who will then appraise the applicant before supporting his suitability for the programme, to the UNICEF. The applicant necessarily has to have good spoken and written skills in English.

The UN volunteers programme

Undergraduates with rich experience in development programmes and who are interested in working on a global scale in developing countries, can apply to this UN programme. The UN selects volunteers for UNICEF and its various programmes through this project. Outside of America, interested volunteers can apply through the UN national committees in industrialised countries.

SAMYUKTA KODA

smyukta.hyd@careercommunity.co.in