Post: #1

Hi,

Has anyone any experience or advice in getting a job at the UN in the professional grade? (not administrative/general categories)

I'm an engineer (telecom) with about 5 years of work experience and also some non-profit experience (fundraising, program work, IT). I have extensive international experience and speak fairly fluent French.
I'm intrigued at the prospect of working with the UN, partly to gain a broader experience, but also to be able to travel/expand contacts around the world.

Thoughts/opinions/comments are welcome..

Post: #2

https://desertqueensarah.wordpress.com/2...un-intern/

Replace intern with any other job position.

Post: #3

All I can say is I´ve never met a person working for the UN who was happy with their job.
And, being from Vienna, I´d say I have a rather good sample size.
Peregrine´s link is spot on.

Post: #4

The UN is a horrible organization in terms of effectiveness.

Captain Capitalism had a good speech on a related matter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQbvDv68GWQ



This Vice Docu also talks about UN ineptness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRuSS0iiFyo


With Opec and the UN based in Vienna,this city really does not attract the most appealing expats sadly

Post: #5

My perspective is that if you want to gain more international experience and contacts, then working at the UN for a couple years would probably be a good experience. I just wouldn't take the job too seriously.

If you want a job where you'll be happy and feel productive, the UN is probably not a good organization to work.

Post: #6

Not the best advice but keep applying. I've heard people getting contacted after 7-8 months. Meanwhile make your contacts, seek other opportunities, etc.

I also hear of 30 year olds taking up 3 month unpaid internships and then manage to get a per contract but that's not really my style.

Would also be interested to know if there was a less time-consuming method. Keep me posted.

Post: #7

Working with the UN is asking to be treated like a "street walker." They will fuck you more times than you know, your contract will fuck you over and over and you will be their bitch.

I know many people working for the UN at both the bottom and the top. Even the ones at the top hate their job, you never have any job security and the entire thing is bureaucratic. The UN is essentially a large corporation except you are treated like complete shit. You'd be better off finding a smaller NGO or working in the private sector.