Org. Setting and Reporting

Those who are successful in the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) examination process will be placed on a roster used to fill appropriate vacancies. Candidates may be selected from the roster as relevant vacancies become available across the UN Secretariat. The roster is valid and used to fill positions, for a period of three years. It is important to understand that placement on the roster does not guarantee an offer of employment. Candidates selected from the roster will be offered a two-year fixed term contract at the start of their Professional career with the UN. After two years, and subject to satisfactory performance, they may be granted a continuing contract. YPP placements are at either a P-1/P-2 level (entry level professional). Positions may become available at various UN Secretariat offices, including, but not limited to: Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, New York, Santiago, Vienna. Successful candidates must be willing to be placed in a position at any UN duty station or field operation. Please be sure to carefully read the Special Notice section below and visit careers.un.org/ypp for more information. These positions are located primarily in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Department of Peace Operations (DPO), both at Headquarters and in the field, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) or any Office in need of Political Affairs and Human Rights expertise. Associate Officers typically report to a senior officer, i.e., a unit chief or section chief.

Responsibilities

The Young Professionals Programme examination in Political Affairs and Human Rights covers a range of topics in the areas of peacemaking and preventive diplomacy, political analysis, electoral assistance, human rights issues and related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions, humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief issues and activities, and other related areas covered by the Political Affairs and Human Rights arms of the United Nations. If you are successful in the examination, you could be assigned to a job that covers any or a combination of these areas. Some of the key responsibilities of an Associate Officer in Political Affairs or Human Rights would be (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Associate Officers): •Conducts research and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press; maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political affairs/human rights/humanitarian affairs issues in a specified area or subject matter. •Prepares briefing notes, background papers, letters, policy guidelines and talking points for senior officials. •Establishes and maintains contact with relevant interlocutors at the required level as directed (responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally, provides technical support and advice in his/her area of expertise) •Prepares summaries of articles from a wide variety of sources and draft a variety of correspondence, and sections of reports. •Monitors political affairs, human rights affairs, humanitarian affairs, and other relevant developments in an assigned area, and prepares reports. Identifies problems and proposes corrective actions. •Provides input into political affairs, human rights, humanitarian affairs efforts and programmes. •Create databases that track project progress and provide other information relevant to assigned area. •Assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. with other agencies or partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific subjects/issues; serves as reporter to such events. •Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • 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. • PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

At least a first-level university degree (i.e., Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree of at least three years) in one of the following areas (to be selected from the “Main Course of Study” dropdown menu): • Business and Administration • Law • Security Services • Social and Behavioral Science • Humanities Important: when preparing your application in Inspira, if you do not see your exact degree listed, please choose the field of study that is closest to your degree, from the “Field of Study” and “Main Course of Study” dropdown menus; then type the exact title in original language as well as its translation in English or French in the additional comment boxes. Do NOT select “other” for main course of study or field of study (or you will be automatically disqualified).

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

No work experience is required. Relevant work experience may be taken into consideration as an additional screening criteria when more than 60 candidates from the same country apply to the same exam area.

Languages

Fluency (speaking, reading, writing, understanding fluently) in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

For more information and job application details, Click on the button below!