New York, NY
UNICEF is a semiautonomous UN organization with a mandate to address the problems of children in both industrialized and developing countries. With emphasis on child survival and development in the less-developed nations, UNICEF cooperates with governments in planning and designing low-cost health services for the benefit of children and their mothers. It finances training programs for professional groups and others involved with children's needs, provides supplies and equipment and, in emergency situations, provides disaster relief. UNICEF receives all of its income from voluntary contributions, with about 80% coming from governments and intergovernmental organizations.
Professional staff
UNICEF has a professional staff of 880, including 127 U.S. citizens, stationed in its main offices (New York, Geneva, Copenhagen and Tokyo) and in 100 field offices in the Third World. There are 160 people at New York headquarters. In the past 12 months, 115 professionals were hired.
Qualifications
UNICEF usually requires a graduate degree-an MA, MBA, MD, MIA, MPA, MS, MPH, RN or PhD-and experience in fields such as health, nutrition, water, sanitation, education, administration, finance and personnel. Knowledge of French, Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese is required. Preference is given to those who have work experience administering assistance programs in Third World countries. Willingness to live and work abroad is essential.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
New York, NY
UNDP is the principal coordinator and central source of grant funding for UN development activities. It assists developing countries in raising productivity, improving living standards and using assets in a more effective way. With a network of 115 field offices in virtually every developing country, There are three main opportunities for employment with UNDP: the Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO), a training program or a regular staff appointment. The JPO accepts about 70 people annually for 2-year assignments in UNDP field offices. Only nationals of participating donor countries can be considered for this program, and, since the U.S. has declined to participate, there are no American JPO's. Qualified Americans, however, are eligible for the training program.
Professional staff
UNDP has a professional staff of approximately 700, of whom 500 are based overseas. Their primary responsibility is to manage technical cooperation projects described above. About 186 have been hired in the past year; most openings occur on the entry or junior levels. UNDP recruits worldwide from graduate programs in development economics or other related disciplines. U.S. citizens make up 29% of those in New York headquarters and 14% of those abroad.
Qualifications
UNDP requires a graduate degree. Economics, development-related disciplines and public administration are the preferred fields of study. Knowledge of at least two official UNDP languages (English, Spanish, French) is required; Arabic and Chinese are also useful. Experience in a development-related field, especially in a Third World country, is strongly preferred. A willingness to live and work abroad is necessary, as well as an ability to work with people from different nationalities and cultural back-grounds.
Training program
The Administrative Training Program runs for seven months. Approximately 15 trainees a year participate in the program. They spend four months at UNDP headquarters and three months in a field office. At the end of the program they are normally assigned to a UNDP field office as Administrative Officer, which is the first step on the UNDP professional career path.
Internships
Unpaid summer internships are available to first-year graduate students pursuing a development-related degree. Interns carry out project and program evaluation and research and analysis and should speak two UNDP official languages.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Vienna, Austria
UNIDO, which became the 16th specialized agency of the UN system in January 1986, promotes industrialization in the developing world. It provides a forum for developing and industrial countries to meet and discuss industrialization and assists these countries in obtaining external financing for industrial projects. Its goal is to help developing countries to increase their share of world manufacturing production from 11% today to 25% by the year 2000. UNIDO's recent projects have promoted investment, provided consultants on basic industries and transferred appropriate technology to the developing world. UNIDO has also established the Industrial and Technological Information Bank, which provides information on investment opportunities in developing countries.
Professional staff
UNIDO has a total staff of approximately 1,800, of whom 8 are based in the U.S. Of the 1,300 in Vienna, 500 are professionals, and the rest are experts hired for short periods, usually less than a year, for assignments in developing countries. In the past year, 400 people were hired.
Qualifications
UNIDO requires a graduate degree for employment and three to five years experience in a field such as economics or econometrics; chemical, industrial or mechanical engineering; technical-assistance project formulation; management science; or administration. Longer experience is normally required for many positions. Technical experience in the Third World is an asset but not a requirement. Knowledge of English or French is essential. Employees should be willing to work and travel abroad. UNIDO is currently interested in hiring more women and welcomes applications from qualified candidates.
Internships
A limited number of unpaid internships is available on an ad hoc basis. Applicants are normally expected to have a graduate degree or to be enrolled in an advanced-degree program. There are internships in areas such as public information, legal affairs, economic development and industrial planning. Candidates may state their preference on the application form.
Application procedure
Internship applicants must be nominated by the U.S. Mission to the UN or by their college or university. Such schools need not belong to a formal UNIDO program and need only initiate the application. Specific information and applications may be obtained by writing to the address below. Persons interested in professional positions at headquarters may write to the same address to request the appropriate application forms. Qualified candidates' names will be retained on a computerized roster, which is UNIDO's major source of recruitment when posts fall vacant.
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
New York, NY
UNITAR, an autonomous UN organization, sponsors training and research programs to improve the effectiveness of the UN in maintaining peace and security and promoting economic and social development. UNITAR's programs-which currently focus on people from developing countries-stress international cooperation, multilateral diplomacy and development. They also prepare participants for assignments within the UN or in other international organizations. Training programs last from three days to four months. About 500 national and UN officials working in the areas of diplomacy, international law and development economics are accepted into the program each year.
UNITAR also sponsors research projects on issues related to the functions and objectives of the UN and does- research for the Secretary-General and for organizations that request it. Since its founding in 1963, UNITAR has published over 130 books. Topics have included the arms race, environmental pollution, technology transfer and development aid.
Professional staff
UNITAR has a professional staff of 20, 6 of whom were hired during the past year. Staff are based overseas in Geneva, Rome, Dakar and at New York headquarters. Those based in Geneva carry out training programs and perform liaison work. Those based in Rome and Dakar carry out special research projects. Of the total staff, 14% are U.S. citizens.
Qualifications
A JD, MBA, MPA, MIA, MA or PhD in international relations, political science, economics, international law and international administration is most useful. Knowledge of at least one UN working language is required, French being the most important. Previous work experience is not required but desirable. Employees do not have to travel.
