JOBS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Starting date: 1 November 2021 (Negotiable)

Duration: 6 months, with the possibility of extension

Location: Geneva, Switzerland (or remote)

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

I.    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 Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (ME WMDFZ) Project is looking for a Graduate Professional to assist with research and to support the implementation of project activities. The ME WMDFZ Project has four objectives:

• To fill an important research gap related to how the issue of the ME WMDFZ evolved, including lessons for current and future prospects;
• To build analytic capacity to support new thinking on regional security issues and the zone, including drawing on lessons from the establishment of other regional nuclear free zones;
• To collect ideas and develop new proposals on how to move forward on this issue; 
• And to foster inclusive dialogue among experts and policymakers on regional security issues and the zone, which in turn could contribute to ongoing multilateral processes.

More information on the project can be found at: https://unidir.org/programmes/middle-east-weapons-mass-destruction-free-zone. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Professional or their sponsoring institutions.

II.    Responsibilities
Within UNIDIR’s ME WMDFZ project, the Graduate Professional shall perform the following duties under the supervision of the Programme Lead:

• Background research;
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of programme activities (e.g. meetings, workshops, conferences, field missions);
• Providing administrative support to projects; 
• Communicating with project partners;
• Performing other tasks, as required by project staff. 

III.    Key Skills/ Interests

• 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, Middle East affairs and the work of the United Nations.

IV.    Competencies
The Graduate Professional is to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect for Diversity.
In addition, in this role, the Graduate Professional 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 & 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.

Qualifications and Experience
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 and Professional Program within a one-year period of graduation.
• have graduated with a university (first or second 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 ME WMDFZ project's specific needs, for instance in the fields of international affairs (especially related to the Middle East), strategic or security studies, or international law.

Work Experience

Applicants: 

• are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, while demonstrated experience/interest in 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

• For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of at least one other official UN language or a language spoken in the Middle East 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. Anne-Laure Souissi-Sans, Project Coordinator (sans@un.org) with “UNIDIR ME WMDFZ project GPP Application" in the subject line. Deadline for submission of applications is 17 October 2021. Closing date is midnight Geneva time.
Please note that incomplete applications will not be processed.
Please note that due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates 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.
UNIDIR promotes the core values of the United Nations: Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.