Job Detail

Palais des Nations Phone +41 (0)22 917 1141
CH-1211 Geneva 10 Fax +41 (0)22 917 0176
Switzerland www.unidir.org • @unidir

Graduate and Professional Programme
Research Assistant – Conventional Arms Programme

Programme: Conventional Arms Programme
Office: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
(UNIDIR)
Duration: Until 14 December 2018 (based in Geneva, Switzerland)
Type: Part-time
Application deadline: 5 October 2018

About UNIDIR

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research—an autonomous institute within the
United Nations—conducts research on disarmament and security. The Institute explores
current issues pertaining to a variety of existing and future armaments, global diplomacy, and
local tensions and conflicts. Working with researchers, diplomats, government officials, NGOs
and other institutions since 1980, UNIDIR acts as a bridge between the research community
and Member States.

UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms Programme (CAP) works towards enhanced control over
conventional weapons, such as small arms and light weapons (SALW), cluster munitions,
improvised explosive devices, landmines, and explosive remnants of war, thereby reducing
human suffering. CAP focuses on generating ideas and practical initiatives to address security
challenges related to the illicit flow, uncontrolled accumulation and misuse of various types of
weapons and ammunition; all of which threaten public safety, pose risks to society and impede
efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Responsibilities and tasks

CAP is seeking a Research Assistant under the Graduate and Professional Programme (GPP)
to support the research and administrative components of the programme and its projects.

Under the leadership of the Programme Lead, the Research Assistant will assist with:

• writing, editing and fact-checking research outputs in French and English;


• translating research outputs from English into French, and French into English;


• communicating with project partners in Francophone countries;


• conducting research tasks on conventional arms issues in both French and English;


• assisting in the planning and organization of UNIDIR project activities (e.g. meetings,
  workshops, conferences, field missions);


• providing administrative support to projects; and


• performing other tasks, as required by programmatic staff.

This position is part-time and based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Research Assistant under the
GPP will work under the supervision of a CAP staff member to whom they are assigned.

This GPP is for a duration of 2.5 months.

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

Applicants for the GPP 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 GPP’s
commencement. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the
Research Assistant or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during the GPP.

Subject to availability of funding and evaluation of performance, the position may be subject to
a small stipend at the end of the GPP.

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviours that are considered important for
United Nations staff, regardless of their function or level. The Core Competencies for individuals
under the GPP at UNIDIR include:

• 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 & 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.

Education

To qualify for the GPP, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent,
or higher); or
b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum
Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must
commence the GPP within a one year period of graduation.

At UNIDIR, preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications
relevant to the Institute’s specific current needs, for instance in the fields of the social or
behavioural sciences (such as politics, or peace, conflict, development or strategic studies),
history or international law. However, other disciplines will be considered.

Work Experience

Applicants:

• are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the
  programme, while demonstrated experience/interest in conventional arms and small
  arms and light weapons control will be considered an asset;


• shall be computer literate in standard software applications;


• have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations 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.

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Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations in Geneva. Fluency in
both spoken and written French and English is required for this GPP. Knowledge of additional
official languages of the United Nations is an asset.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, please send us your CV and cover letter in PDF format to
sebastian.wilkin@un.org with “UNIDIR Research Assistant GPP Application” in the subject line.
The application deadline is 5 October 2018.

We thank all those who apply, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be
contacted.

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