How to apply for professional positions?
United Nations jobs are considered to be the best in the world. They provide international exposure and valuable experience. United Nations treat their employees with respect and provide maximum welfare.
Staff categories
The United Nations workforce is made up of different categories of staff. Within each category there are different levels, which reflect increasing levels of responsibilities and requirements.
These categories include: These are the different categories of staff at the United Nations:
Professional and higher categories i.e. (P and D positions)
General Service and related categories (G, TC, S, PIA, LT)
National Professional Officers (NO)
Field Service (FS)
Senior Appointments i.e.(SG, DSG, USG and ASG)
There are two main ways to apply for UN jobs. The first one is secondment process and the second one is online application process.
1. Secondment jobs
Vacancies are sent to different member states by UN and you apply through your respective government. It is the easiest way to enter UN system. Member states nominate qualified candidates to UN where the process of shortlisting takes place. The shortlisted candidates are interviewed on telephone, video link or in person.Most of the UN Police positions at UNHQ and Peace keeping operations are seconded.
PHP forms Personal History Profile or (PHP) form is a comprehensive resume specifically designed for United Nations System. PHP contains a detailed overview of your education, competencies, skills, achievements and professional experience.It is typed manually and printed for secondment positions. Tailor your PHP form according to the job requirements e.g. If the vacancy is related to training, then you have to highlight your training experience.
There are following five steps for secondment jobs:
1. Member states nominate the name of candidates who fulfil the criteria 2. Nominations are forwarded to UN through permanent missions
3. Shortlisting is done by UN
4. Competency based Interviews are conducted for shortlisted candidates via telephone, video link, or in person.
5. Successful candidates are informed
2. Online application process
The application process involves 7 steps:
1. Searching for job openings using search engine like Inspira.un.org
2. Creating a profile and preparing an application
3. Submitting a job application
4. Evaluation of the application
5. Assessment exercise
6. Competency-based interview
7. Selection notification
Competency-based interview
The competency-based interview may take place either via telephone, video conference, or in person. United Nations interviews are competency based. The competencies are mentioned in the job advertisement and the interviews are based on these core values and competencies.There are 3 to 4 members of the interview panel. Most senior in the penal is the chairperson. Interview starts with introduction of the penal. First question is usually by the chairperson. It is mainly to relax the candidate. Then questions are asked by panelists one by one.
UN core values
The Three UN organizational core values are a set of shared basic principles and beliefs that underpin the work of the organization and its agencies; they are also the guiding actions and behaviors of UN employees and UN staff members carrying out their individual work.
1.Professionalism
2. Integrity
3. Respect for Diversity
UN core competencies.
The term “competency” refers to a combination of skills, attributes and behaviors that are directly related to successful performance on the job.
There are 8 UN core competencies and 6 Managerial competencies The following are Eight UN Competencies:
1. Communication
2. Teamwork
3. Planning and Organization
4. Accountability
5. Client Orientation
6. Creativity
7. Technological Awareness
8. Commitment to Continuous Learning
Six Managerial Competencies include
1. Leadership
2. Vision
3. Empowering Others
4. Building Trust
5. Managing Performance
6. Judgment/Decision-Making
Gender Mainstreaming
One question is usually related to Gender Mainstreaming and Gender equality that how you have implemented gender mainstreaming in your official capacity?
Female Candidates
. It is the policy of Secretary General of United Nations Mr. Antonio Guterres to promote recruitment of females. They are not only encouraged to apply for UN jobs but are given due consideration in selection process.
Conclusion
You can apply for UN jobs through the government on Secondment positions. This route is easier for the government employees of the member states. The second way is to apply online through the search engines like Inspira. If shortlisted you qualify for the competency-based interview.