Graduate Professional (Youth, Peace and Security) → UNIDIR

Background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations (UN) that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the UN and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

UNIDIR is looking for a Graduate Professional to assist with research, reporting and outreach on issues related to the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda.

Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Professional or their sponsoring institutions.

Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Conducting background research on issues related to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda
• Supporting engagement with various stakeholders on youth-related issues, including States, UN partners and civil society organizations
• Supporting fundraising efforts
• Consolidating UNIDIR input to wider UN-initiatives on Youth, such as the Youth 2030 agenda
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of events and outreach activities (including, but not limited to, drafting invitations, distribution lists, agenda, logistical notes, meeting summaries, etc.)
• Organizing and supporting participatory or youth-led initiatives, ensuring sensitivity to working with conflict-affected youth and applying a youth-centred lens across activities.
• Contributing to day-to-day tasks, including communication, coordination and administrative matters
• Performing other tasks, as required by supervisors

Key skills/interests

• Research and presentation
• Ability to synthesize information into concise, high-quality written briefs
• Organization and coordination of multiple tasks
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills (written and oral), with a creative eye for photography, design or social media considered a strong asset
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and InDesign
• Should have an interest in international peace and security, disarmament, youth engagement and the work of the UN

Competencies

The Graduate Professional is to demonstrate the core values of the UN: Professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

In addition, in this role, the Graduate Professional will demonstrate the following competences:

• Communication: Identifies the information needs of target audiences and tailors communication accordingly, drafts clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals.
• Planning and organizing: Uses time efficiently, foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning, monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary to ensure tasks are completed.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services, offers new and different options to solve problems, takes an interest in new ideas and ways of doing things, is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to understand and reflect the clients’ points of view in their work.

Qualifications and experience

Education

To qualify for a GPP with the UN Graduate and Professional Program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
• Have graduated with a university degree (second university degree, as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the graduate professional programme within a one-year period of graduation.

At UNIDIR, preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to peace and security issues, for instance in the fields of international relations, political science, social sciences, international law and gender studies.

Previous experience and engagement on youth-related issues and/or the YPS agenda is an asset.

Work experience

Applicants:

• are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, while demonstrated experience/interest in the YPS agenda will be considered an asset
• shall be computer literate in standard software applications, including Microsoft Office tools and InDesign
• have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
• have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

• For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of at least one other official UN language is an asset.

Screening questions

• For this role, preference will be given to candidates that have completed a graduate degree (Masters or PhD) within a one-year period of graduation. Please explain how you meet this criterion.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this position. Please explain how you meet this criterion.
• Explain your skills in standard software applications, including Microsoft Office tools and InDesign.
• Explain your ability to organize and coordinate multiple tasks.

How to apply

Please send us a cover letter, your CV and brief responses (up to 30 words for each response) to the above-mentioned screening questions in PDF format titled as SURNAME_Name_CV-CL to E-Mail schreiben with “UNIDIR GPP YPS Application” in the subject line. Deadline for submission of applications is 20 April 2025. Closing time is midnight Geneva time.

Please note that incomplete applications and applications generated with artificial intelligence will not be processed.

Please note

Please note that due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

*Applicants for the Graduate and Professional Program must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the GPP and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the Graduate Professional’s commencement. The UN accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the Graduate Professional or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during the Graduate and Professional Program.

¹Successful candidates who already receive a stipend from another source, such as an educational institution, will have their stipend topped up to this amount