Getting into the United Nations---Some Ideas for Finding Work

Getting into the United Nations

Some Ideas for Finding Work

1. Two Very Useful Sites to go to Daily – a) www.unjobs.org b) www.unjoblist.org (signup for Sebastien’s email list). This in addition to www.undp.org/jobs and all job sites of all agencies (UNIFEM, UNFPA, UNICEF, FAO...) and of course also www.un.org
2. Fill out all P11s and Rosters at each site—there is no master UN Jobs site so do a P11 and be on each and every agency site. Don’t forget UNDP, DPKO and UN Agencies FAO, WHO etc. Go to each UN Agency site, register, apply!!!
3. Respect people—neither judge nor be affected by judgmental behavior.
4. Constantly interview, constantly apply—that is the industry we are in. Security is a myth, growth is reality. Keep applying always.
5. Move next to the UN; constantly hang out close to the people you want to be in the shoes of. Proximity is Key!
6. Definitely meet all Columbia (not SIPA) Alumni in the UN System including agencies. Apply early Apply Often
7. Don’t forget all NGOs and non-UN organizations as some work with the UN and pay equally, and are UN-affiliated.
8. Consider being a UN Volunteer (www.unvolunteers.org)—it pays quite well, and it definitely pays in the long run as you value the UN’s work more intrinsically rather than just as a job (Secretary-General Kofi Annan was a UNV).
9. REMEMBER it took you a year to get into SIPA, it will take you a year to honorably get out of SIPA so start early, meet greet apply
10. Qualities/Skills needed in someone working for the UNDP—Putting Head down and working, keeping a cool head, knowing how to write reports/memos, knowing how to write emails, knowing when and who to cc and when and who to email and when and who to keep out of your email list, knowing how to budget, knowing how to synthesize thoughts, knowing how to comment on other people’s work constructively, how to bring together edits and comments on a document, knowing how to behave and calmly make your points in a meeting, knowing how to keep deadlines...
11. Know the Directors and Chiefs of each UNDP or UN Agencies divisions—meet them for tea/coffee or advice. They hold the decision-making and budgetary control. Get to know them, and let them get to know you.
12. Separate contract and salaries and type of position from your function and responsibilities i.e. even if you have an intern contract, perform the responsibilities of your job as if you are paid like your boss. Very soon you’ll get a job like your boss (this just happened in UNDP in our office). UNV/Intern/Consultant/Fixed-Term/Temporary Vacancies Contract/Fixed-Term, Temporary Appointment/Temporary Fixed-Term/Permanent/Political Appointment—these are contracts mostly and have nothing to do for the most part with your ability to manage your emotions and do your functional job appropriately. UN in New York/HQ is very different from Field so be open for different experiences.
13. Learn languages – that is how you connect.
14. HANDLE YOUR EMOTIONS—do not put your head too high or too low—try and apply and meet people with faith and inspiration and confidence. Whenever you meet someone, tell them a story that they can remember you by—something you did in Honduras, something you did in Afghanistan, something you did right here in NY, in school.
15. Make a schedule of daily activity on your career. Be not over-confident that Columbia will get you there—there is no such thing! SIPA of course helps but there are so many other schools abroad and within the US all competing.
16. Don’t ask for job—ask for consultancies, ways to be useful—easier to be brought in as a consultant to the UN.
17. Learn Skills—it is wonderful if you have top-notch skills of writing, budgeting, communication, management etc.
18. Be respectful—many have suffered tremendously fighting their governments before coming to the UN—they may not spell correctly, write properly or speak proper English. Be respectful.
19. LASTLY, remember you have something to share daily, something to give. Not something to take, something to give. What is it that you can share, that you can give. Tap into that daily when you get saddled with doubt.