How to Work for the U.N.
International cooperation is more necessary than ever before. The connectivity of cultures around the globe has been increasing throughout human existence, from small, isolated tribes to today’s hyper-connected society. People can travel from almost any country to another to experience different cultures, languages, foods, and traditions. Governments also trade many types of goods and services, make investments in other countries, and create more global connections.
The United Nations (U.N.) holds a unique influence over the workings of global politics, economics, and society. Not yet a century old, the U.N. has a staff of more than 40,000 workers drawn from its member states, which encompass almost every nation in the world. Continue reading to learn how to work for the U.N., what the organization is, and the necessary steps to attain a position that can create positive change across the globe.
What Is the United Nations?
Founded in 1945 in the wake of World War II, the United Nations began with 51 member states dedicated to preserving world peace after the greatest armed conflict ever seen. It has grown to over 193 member states that collaborate in areas such as economics, tourism, poverty, conflict, healthcare, social justice, climate change, and other international issues. Though the United Nations holds no legally binding powers, its resolutions help set the tone for important global issues and bring to the forefront pressing causes that affect billions of people worldwide. As of 2019, the U.N. has 13 different ongoing peacekeeping missions, with over 100,000 people working in areas such as Kashmir, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kosovo, and Mali.
At the heart of the United Nations is the 15-member Security Council, which consists of five permanent members –– the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia –– and 10 nations that serve two-year terms. The five permanent members hold exclusive veto power over any resolution; a veto from just one of them means a resolution cannot pass. The U.N. secretary-general is the organization’s spokesperson and leader, setting the agenda for the Security Council and General Assembly member states, the latter of which vote on the secretary-general after a Security Council recommendation. As of October 2019, the current secretary-general of the United Nations is former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres. Guterres took the role in January 2017, becoming the ninth secretary-general in U.N. history and succeeding Ban Ki-moon, who held the position from January 2007 to December 2016.
What Do U.N. Careers Look Like?
Many career opportunities, in many locations, are available in a body as large as the United Nations. The organization notes there are “few clearly marked career paths” for working for the U.N. and that its employees “may not only change functions or departments, but even organizations or fields of work” during the course of their employment. U.N. career opportunities include the following examples:
- Legal: With different nations’ legal systems coming into play, the U.N. requires lawyers and other legal experts who can help navigate the complex web of international law.
- Management and administration: Those in these positions help keep the U.N. running, managing people and handling issues such as billing, scheduling, and other administrative tasks.
- Political, peace, and humanitarian: These researchers and aid workers can coordinate humanitarian missions, help broker peace talks, and collaborate with politicians around the world to create more stable, safer environments.
- Science: The U.N. employs many different medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, medical researchers, and scientists
Discover the Skills Needed
No matter what United Nations career you might seek, a specific skillset applies across the board. The organization outlines the following important traits to consider if you think you might be a good match for working in the U.N.:
Integrity and Professionalism
U.N. workers need to conduct themselves ethically and treat their jobs seriously. They should be on time and dedicated to their work, staying organized and efficient, working within legal boundaries, and treating all co-workers and other contacts with respect.
Respect for Diversity
Working in different countries means encountering people with different belief systems and ways of life, which, without cultural awareness, can create conflict. U.N. workers must respect these differences and find ways to work appropriately with everyone.
Teamwork
Most U.N. projects require teams of people working in different fields to create meaningful, global change. Individual agendas and ego-driven workers don’t perform well within the organization’s overall framework.
Creativity
The U.N. looks for employees who can generate new ideas and approaches to problems. These visionaries have the power to shift the status quo for the better. The U.N. encourages innovation and experimentation.
Communication
When working in a complex organization with so many moving parts, communication is vital to keeping the flow of information moving in an orderly manner. Communication doesn’t just mean being vocal; it means speaking and writing with a professional tone and exercising listening skills.
Organization
Working for the U.N. means staying on top of a number of different initiatives, organizations, events, and political changes. Staying properly organized is key, as U.N. employees must be able to recall facts, figures, or documents in a number of important situations.
Technological Awareness
The U.N. works in all corners of the world, leveraging many different technologies. Employees may be required to work with anything from a computer in a modern, developed city to a water wheel in a remote, rural farmland.
The Application Process
How do you work for the U.N.? The application process for potential hires entails the following seven steps:
- Search for job openings
- Create a profile and prepare an application
- Submit a job application
- Await application evaluation
- Complete the assessment exercise (written exam, simulation, and case exercise)
- Attend a competency-based interview
- Await selection notification
Get the Right Education with Maryville University
No matter what United Nations career might interest you, you’ll benefit from an education that emphasizes cross-cultural skills and the formation of global insights regarding cultures and people. Explore how Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Arts in International Studies could help prepare you for a job at the world’s premier international organization.
Recommended Reading
Model U.N. Team Advances Knowledge of Global Politics
What Is International Studies? A Closer Look at Global Issues
Sources
The Balance, “The United Nations and How It Works”
Better World Campaign, “U.N. Peacekeeping”
Maryville University, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
The New York Times, “What Is the United Nations? Explaining Its Purpose, Power, and Problems”
U.N. Dispatch, “How to Get a Job at the U.N.”
United Nations Careers, Career Paths
United Nations Careers, Where We Are