JOBS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Starting date: 7 January (Negotiable)

Duration: Six months

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research – UNIDIR is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institute within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems. UNIDIR offices are located in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

The Graduate and Professional Programme position is full-time (40 hours/week) and based in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The Graduate and Professional Programme (GPP) is for a duration of six months.

Duties of the Graduate Professional include, but are not limited to:

• Support in UNIDIR advocacy and outreach activities to internal and external audiences

• Create graphic design materials

• Support the management and development of UNIDIR social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)

• Engage with UNIDIR programme teams, specifically related to generating multimedia materials

• Prepare outreach material, such as talking points, correspondence, and presentations;

• Perform other tasks, as required by programmatic staff.

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviours 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 Programme, 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 politics, international affairs, strategic studies), or international law. However, other disciplines will be considered.

Work Experience

Applicants:

• are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, but interest and experience in communications is desirable;

• familiarity with or interest in social media, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or other graphic design programmes is desirable;

• experience with video production and editing is an asset

• experience with and exposure to publications, marketing, the UN system, and international affairs is preferred

• 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 French and 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 Mr. Aaron J. Buckley, Strategic Communications Officer (buckleya@un.org). with “UNIDIR Communications GPP Application” in the subject line. Your cover letter should include your: • degree programme • software/design skills • relevant experience • available start date.

The application deadline is 21 November 2019.

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

*Applicants for the Graduate and Professional Programme 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 Programme.