By Ranjan K Baruah
The devastating Second World War destroyed lives and properties. One of the institutes which started after the war is the United Nations. Every year 24th October is observed as the UN day as it marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 76 years.
There is no doubt that the world looks to the United Nations for solutions to complex problems everywhere; from ending conflict and alleviating poverty, to combating climate change and defending human rights. There are various career options related to the UN. Among the ranks one will find staff members who monitor elections, disarm child soldiers, coordinate relief in humanitarian crises and provide administrative as well as logistical support to carry out complex mandates. One may imagine the joy and respect one would get if s/he engages with the UN. We are aware that the UN is committed to maintaining international peace and security; developing friendly relations among nations; promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
The work of the UN touches every corner of the globe and focuses on a broad range of fundamental issues, like sustainable development, protection of the environment and refugees, disaster relief and mitigation, counter terrorism, as well as disarmament and non-proliferation. The UN Secretariat which commenced operations in early 1946 was staffed with a mere 300 people working primarily for the Preparatory Commission and engaged in providing conference services for a fledgling world body that was beginning to chart a course to positively change the world. From that nucleus, it expanded within six months to about 3,000 employees. Three years later, in October 1949, the cornerstone was laid for what would evolve into the Organization’s sprawling Headquarters in midtown Manhattan in New York.
Today, the United Nations has evolved beyond the conference management services it provided in its early days and is now actively on the ground around the globe seeking solutions to the three thematic areas outlined in its Charter: peace and security; the protection and promotion of human rights; and human development. Since 1946 the Organization has gradually transformed itself into a global Secretariat with a workforce that now numbers some 44,000 specialized men and women.
The United Nations offers you an attractive remuneration package with competitive pay and benefits and mostly the salary is exempted from income tax as per rule of different countries. Aspirants may work in headquarters of various offices of the UN based in different countries. There are options and opportunities and designation or terms includes Young professionals programme, competitive examinations for language professional, Junior Professional Officer Programme, Volunteer programme, Internship programme, Temporary jobs, Consultants, etc.
The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative for talented, highly qualified professionals to start a career as an international civil servant with the UN Secretariat. It consists of an entrance examination process and professional development once those successful start their career with the UN.
Volunteer programme of the UN is also very exciting and lucrative. Aspirants who want to get engaged in concrete action for global peace and development may look at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. Every year, up to 8,000 qualified and experienced women and men of some 160 different nationalities volunteer at least six months of their lives to help others. These UN Volunteers work in some 130 countries promoting peace, responding to disasters, empowering communities and helping to build sustainable livelihoods and lasting development.
Skilled graduates with energy, enthusiasm and an eagerness to join the UN may look for the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme (formerly known as Associate Experts Programme). The main goal of the JPO Programme is to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to offer young professionals an opportunity to get hands-on experience in multilateral international cooperation at the United Nations.
The UN JPO Programme, managed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), recruits and administers JPOs for different agencies like Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), International Court of Justice and United Nations Tribunals, United Nations Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), etc.
All those who are thinking of entering the world of diplomacy and public policy, an internship at the United Nations could be the ideal start for you. The objective of the internship is to give you a first-hand impression of the day-to-day working environment of the United Nations. Apart from qualification, employability skills are must to shine with the United Nations. Interested people may read from the official website of the UN to know more about careers with the UN as I have directly published information from their website.
(The author is a career mentor and skill trainer and can be reached at 8473943734 or [email protected] for any career queries)