Graduate Professional (Conventional Weapons, 2 positions)

Background

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’s Conventional Weapons Programme is seeking two Graduate Professionals to assist with research and to support the implementation of project activities primarily in the field of Weapons and Ammunition Management. 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 lays 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

The selected candidate will primarily support the work of research pillar 1 on strengthening weapons and ammunition management and related activities in the advice, support and capacity-building facility.

Responsibilities

Within UNIDIR’s Conventional Weapons Programme, the Graduate Professional shall perform the following duties under the supervision of the Head of Programme:

• 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 and field missions) and in record-keeping and monitoring;
• Communicating with project partners; 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);
• Experience in data collection and analysis, and knowledge of relevant software and tools will be considered an asset;
• Have a demonstrated interest and/or experience in conventional arms control;
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views; and
• Should have an interest in international peace and security, disarmament and/or the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.

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 competencies:

• Communication: Identifies the information needs of target audiences and tailors communication accordingly, drafts clearly and concisely, has 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 and 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, and 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 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 post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme’s specific current needs, for instance, in the fields of social or behavioural sciences (such as political sciences, international affairs, security studies, and peace and conflict 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.

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.

Screening questions

• GPP candidates must be enrolled in a graduate programme or must commence the GPP programme within a one-year period of following graduation. Please explain how you meet this criterion.  
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this position. Please explain how you meet this criterion.   
• Explain your skills and/or experience in conducting research.  
• Explain your skills in standard software applications, such as Microsoft Office tools and InDesign.  
• Explain your ability to organize and coordinate multiple tasks.