JOBS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Position Title: Graduate Professional – 2 positions available
Contract: Temporary
Occupational rate: 100% (Negotiable)
Desired Starting date: 1 April 2022 (Negotiable)
Duration: 6 months, with the possibility of extension
Location: Geneva, Switzerland or Remote
Remuneration: A stipend is offered as a contribution to living expenses (Geneva-based, USD 1100/month; remote, USD 550/month) 

Background

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’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme (CAAP) is seeking two Graduate Professionals to assist with research and to support the implementation of programme activities. The programme examines and promotes ideas and action to prevent or mitigate the negative impact of unregulated proliferation and misuse of conventional arms and ammunition and thus lay the foundations for peace, security, and sustainable development. In cooperation with partners across the United Nations system, States, regional organizations, and the international security expert community the programme undertakes action-oriented field research and convenes multi-stakeholder dialogues to deliver advisory support and practical tools to prevent, mitigate, and address the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of conventional arms and ammunition. The programme’s research is contained in two pillars and an exploratory research cell, while an “on demand” advice, support, and capacity-building facility enables the sharing of practical advice and the delivery of capacity-building to effectively tackle uncontrolled conventional arms and ammunition proliferation, prevent armed conflict and armed violence. Thus, the programme structure is:

1. Research Pillar 1. Strengthening weapons and ammunition management

2. Research Pillar 2. Preventing Armed Conflict and Armed Violence

3. Exploratory Research Cell: Addressing Glocal Development and Security Challenges

4. Advice, Support, and Capacity-Building Facility

More information on the Programme’s research and activities can be found here.

Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Professionals or their sponsoring institution. 

Applicants are requested to clearly state their preference between conducting the Graduate and Professional Program in-person or remotely in their application. 

Responsibilities

Within UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme, the Graduate Professionals shall perform the following duties under the supervision of the Programme Head:

• Background research and analysis;

• Providing administrative support to the programme, including assisting in the planning and implementation of programme activities (e.g. meetings, workshops, conferences, field missions) and in record-keeping and monitoring; and

• Performing other tasks, as required.

Key skills and interests

• Project management and/or implementation; 

• Research and presentation; 

• Ability to synthesize information into concise, high-quality written briefs; 

• Organization and coordination of multiple tasks; 

• Interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills (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 conventional arms control, and/or the work of the United Nations.

Competencies

The Graduate Professionals are to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect for Diversity.
In addition, in this role, the Graduate Professionals will demonstrate the following competences:

• 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 & Organization: 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.

Qualification and experience

Education 

To qualify for the UNIDIR 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 (first or second university degree or equivalent) and, if selected, must commence the Graduate and Professional Programme within a one-year period of graduation.

At UNIDIR, preference will be given to applicants with qualifications in fields relevant to the Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme’s specific current needs, such as politics, international affairs, peace studies, conflict studies, security studies, or international law. 

Work Experience 

Applicants: 

• are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, while demonstrated experience and/or interest in conventional arms control 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.

• Knowledge of gender issues or experience with gender mainstreaming in a field relevant to the position is desirable.

Languages:

• For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

• Knowledge of at least one other official UN language is desirable (knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset).

To apply

Please send us a cover letter and your CV in PDF format titled as SURNAME_Name_CV-CL to Ms Matilde Vecchioni, Programme Assistant (matilde.vecchioni@un.org) with “UNIDIR Conventional Arms Programme GPP Application” in the subject line. Clearly state in your application if you have a preference for conducting the Graduate and Professional Program in-person or remotely. Deadline for submission of applications is midnight Geneva time on 24 February 2023. 

Please note that incomplete and late applications will not be processed.
Applicants are requested to clearly state their preference between conducting the Graduate and Professional Program in-person or remotely in their application. 

*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.

UNIDIR promotes the core values of the United Nations: Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.