JOBS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Graduate Professional Programme

Location: Geneva, Switzerland Department: UNIDIR Type: GPP

UNIDIR offers a limited number of unpaid positions through its Graduate and Professional Programme. However, eligible candidates will receive a stipend, as a contribution towards living expenses.

The Graduate and Professional Programme is intended to provide successful candidates practical experience in a research institute that serves the global community on questions of international security and assists with disarmament efforts. Selected candidates will be given an opportunity to become part of our team, working directly with outstanding and inspiring career professionals and senior management. Individuals will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to analytical work as well as organizational policy of the United Nations. Initial workload will depend on individual capacity; UNIDIR is invested in the growth of its personnel.

Applicants may be undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate students, or they may have completed their studies. Selected candidates will be based in Geneva.

Specific responsibilities vary based on the needs of particular programmes, but ideal candidates would be self-motivated, client- and solution- oriented. Typical Graduate and Professional backgrounds include but are not limited to: disarmament, international relations, peace and security, communications, law, business/public administration. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and are used in day-to-day professional exchanges. Knowledge of an additional official language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is an advantage.

Successful candidates should be able to provide proof of enrolment in a Medical Insurance valid in Switzerland, as well as a Medical Certificate of good health. The acquisition of the necessary visas, travel costs and arrangements and living accommodation are the responsibility of the applicant.

Graduate Professional – Weapons of Mass Destruction and Other Strategic Weapons (WMDOSW) programme

Location: Geneva, Switzerland Department: Weapons of Mass Destruction and Other Strategic Weapons Type: GPP

Starting Date: 1 September 2020 (Negotiable)

Duration: Two months (Possibility of extension)

Remunaration: Unpaid (eligible candidates will receive a modest stipend, as a contribution towards living expenses)

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the United Nations and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction and Other Strategic Weapons (WMDOSW) programme works to support progress in nuclear disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. The programme also contributes to policymakers’ efforts to keep the world free of biological and chemical weapons, and think through the implications of new strategic technologies—from missiles to counterspace capabilities and missile defence systems. Each year, the WMDOSW programme offers a limited number of assignments for recent university graduates to spend time working on its research team and accumulate professional skills in an interesting, international environment.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

This position is unpaid, full time (40 hours/week) and based in Geneva, Switzerland. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Professional or their sponsoring institution.

The Graduate and Professional Program (GPP) is for 2 months with the possibility of extension. The graduate professional shall perform the following duties:

Work on assorted research tasks associated with the WMDOSW programme with a particular focus on the Biological Weapons Convention and Nuclear Weapon Risk Reduction.
Provide support to the WMDOSW team, including contributing to draft research materials.
Assist in producing presentations, briefs and materials related to the WMDOSW programme and help to organize Programme events.
Attend conferences and meetings of relevance to the WMDOSW programme
Contribute to day-to-day tasks, including communication, coordination and administrative matters.
Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor and Programme Lead.

The graduate professional is also encouraged to use the experience on the programme to pursue their own research interests as they relate to WMD Compliance and Enforcement.

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviors which are considered important for United Nations staff, regardless of their function or level, as well as Graduate Professionals. The Core Competencies for Graduate Professionals at UNIDIR include:

Integrity & professionalism: the candidate shall demonstrate expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; a fair degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; ability to prioritize, plan and organize tasks; responsive and client-oriented.
Communication:the candidate shall demonstrate the ability to work efficiently in a small team; excellent spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise analytical documents; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to appropriately communicate with experts from governments, international and regional organizations.
Creativity: the candidate shall actively seek to improve programmes or services; offer new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promote and persuade others to consider new ideas; take calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; think “outside the box”; take an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Key Skills/Interests

Key skills for the candidate include:

Academic background and/or professional experience in the field of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation or/and the life sciences.
Ability to collect, analyze and synthesize information related to arms control and disarmament into concise, accessible high-quality written briefs;
Ability to organize and coordination events and meetings.
Interpersonal, teamwork and communication (written and oral)

The candidate should have an interest in international peace and security generally and arms control/disarmament specifically.

Education

To qualify for a GPP with the United Nations Graduate and Professional Program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the graduate professional programme within a one-year period of graduation.

Preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the Institute’s specific current needs, for instance: international relations, political science, history, international law, etc. In this instance, special consideration will also be given to those with a degree in the life sciences.

Work Experience

Applicants:

Are not required to have prior professional work experience. However, experience/interest in WMD-related arms control and disarmament treaties will be considered an asset. The successful applicant:
Shall be computer literate in standard software applications
Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this Graduate Professional position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Interested in this position?

Shortlisted candidate for this position will undertake an interview and short test of their abilities as part of the selection process.

To apply please send us your CV and cover letter in PDF format named as SURNAME_Name_CV-CL to james.revill@un.org with “UNIDIR WMDOSW GPP Application” in the subject line.

The application deadline is 31 July 2020. We thank all those who apply, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

*Applicants for the Graduate and Professional Program must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the GPP and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the Graduate Professional’s commencement. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the Graduate Professional or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during the Graduate and Professional Program.

Graduate Professional - Conventional Arms Programme

Location: Geneva, Switzerland Department: Conventional Arms Programme Type: GPP

Starting Date: 7 September 2020 (Negotiable)

Duration: Six months

Remunaration: Unpaid (eligible candidates will receive a modest stipend, as a contribution towards living expenses)

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the United Nations and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Graduate and Professional Program (GPP) position is full-time (40 hours/week) and based in Geneva, Switzerland. The occupational rate of the position is 100%. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Professional or their sponsoring institutions. Eligible candidates will receive a stipend as a contribution towards living expenses.

The GPP is for a duration of six months. The Graduate Professional shall perform the following duties, including but not limited to:

Support to research
Communicating with project partners, including in Francophone countries
Assisting in the planning and implementation of programme activities (e.g. meetings, workshops, conferences, field missions)/p>
Providing administrative support to projects
Performing other tasks, as required by programme staff

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviors which are considered important for United Nations staff, regardless of their function or level, as well as Graduate Professionals. The Core Competencies for Graduate Professionals at UNIDIR include:

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

To qualify for a GPP with the United Nations Graduate and Professional Program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the graduate professional programme within a one-year period of graduation.

Preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the Institute’s specific current needs, for instance in the fields of social or behavioral sciences (such as disarmament, international security, international affairs, strategic studies, political affairs) or international law. However, other disciplines will also be considered.

Work Experience

Applicants:

Are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, but interest and experience in disarmament and/or [behavioral sciences (such as politics, international affairs, strategic studies), is desirable;
Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

For the position advertised, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.
Knowledge of other official UN languages are desirable.

Interested in this position?

Please send us your CV and cover letter in PDF format titled as SURNAME_Name_CV-CL to
Ms. Pinar Ozge BODUR, Team Assistant (pinar.bodur@un.org) with “UNIDIR Conventional Arms ProgrammeGPP Application” in the subject line. Your cover letter should include your: • degree programme • project management/research skills • relevant experience • available start date.

The application deadline is 17 July 2020.

We thank all those who apply, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

*Applicants for the Graduate and Professional Program must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the GPP and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the Graduate Professional’s commencement. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the Graduate Professional or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during the Graduate and Professional Program.

Graduate Professional – Gender & Disarmament Programme

Location: Geneva, Switzerland Department: Gender and Disarmament Type: GPP

Starting Date: 1 September 2020 (Negotiable)

Duration: Three months

Remunaration: Unpaid (eligible candidates will receive a modest stipend, as a contribution towards living expenses)

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the United Nations and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

UNIDIR Gender & Disarmament programme is looking for a Graduate Professional to assist with research and to support the implementation of project activities. The overall objectives of the programme are to generate policy-relevant knowledge and to provide multilateral practitioners with practical tools in order to apply a gender perspective to the substance of their work.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

This position is unpaid (eligible candidates will receive a modest stipend, as a contribution towards living expenses), full time (40 hours/week) and based in Geneva, Switzerland. The occupational rate of the position is negotiable. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Professional or their sponsoring institutions.

The Graduate and Professional Program (GPP) is for a duration of three months, with the possibility for extension. Duties of the Graduate Professional include, but are not limited to:

Assist in organizing meetings, seminars, and workshops for the project
Produce meeting summaries
Drafts official documents and conducts research related to the work of UNIDIR
Assists in outreach and partnership activities with UNIDIR interlocutors
Attends conferences and meetings, and provides verbal and written briefings to colleagues
Contributes to day-to-day tasks, including communication, coordination and administrative matters
Performs other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Key Skills/ Interests:

Project management and/or implementation
Research and presentation
Ability to synthesize information into concise, high-quality written briefs
Organization and coordination
Interpersonal, teamwork and communication (written and oral)
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Should have an interest in international peace and security, disarmament and/or the work of the United Nations.

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviors which are considered important for United Nations staff, regardless of their function or level, as well as Graduate Professionals. The Core Competencies for Graduate Professionals at UNIDIR include:

Communication: Identifies the information needs of target audiences and tailors communication accordingly, drafts clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals.
Planning & Organizing: Uses time efficiently, foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning, monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary to ensure tasks are completed.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services, offers new and different options to solve problems, takes an interest in new ideas and ways of doing things, is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to understand and reflect the clients’ points of view in their work.

Education

To qualify for a GPP with the United Nations Graduate and Professional Program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the graduate professional programme within a one-year period of graduation.

At UNIDIR, preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the Institute’s specific current needs, for instance: international relations, political science, international law, and gender studies.

Work Experience

Applicants:

Are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, while demonstrated experience/interest in gender and/or disarmament will be considered an asset
Shall be computer literate in standard software applications;
Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English
Knowledge of French an asset.

Interested in this position?

Please send us your CV and cover letter in PDF format titled as SURNAME_Name_CV-CL to lenka.filipova@un.org with “UNIDIR Gender & Disarmament GPP Application” in the subject line. The application deadline is 20 July 2020.

We thank all those who apply, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

*Applicants for the Graduate and Professional Program must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the GPP and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the Graduate Professional’s commencement. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the Graduate Professional or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during the Graduate and Professional Program.