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DERN, NUIG Galway

DERN, NUIG Galway. Irish Aid support for careers in development. Friday March 20 th , 2009. Irish Aid is the Irish Government’s Official Development Cooperation Programme Total Budget for 2008 of €891 million, 0.56% of GNP Sixth largest per capita donor in the world.

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DERN, NUIG Galway

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  1. DERN, NUIG Galway Irish Aid support for careers in development Friday March 20th, 2009

  2. Irish Aid is the Irish Government’s Official Development Cooperation Programme Total Budget for 2008 of €891 million, 0.56% of GNPSixth largest per capita donor in the world

  3. Irish Aid support for careers in in development • Project support for 1,300 volunteer and development workers working with Irish Aid partners • Support for development workers – Comhlámh’s returned development workers programme, counselling, careers guidance • Volunteering as a mid-career entry point – United Nations volunteer placements (full five yrs professional experience) • internship programmes e.g. United Nations Volunteer (UNV)

  4. Why does Irish Aid fund UNV internships? • Basically to help create a pipeline of high-calibre development specialists from Ireland • Other similar initiatives include: • the 2008 Junior Professional Internship scheme in Irish Aid - next recruitment possibly 2010 • Support for Junior Professional Officer in a UN agency (JPO) – suspended, next recruitment not known

  5. Why be a development worker • Very rewarding – “sense of worth” • Interesting • Challenging – physically and mentally • Varied • Travel • Part of international community • Working with people • Lifestyle

  6. But …………… • No career framework e.g. talent management • Highly competitive – 25 PG courses • Very uncertain • Very demanding • Relatively low/median pay • Bit of a “nomad” • Decentralisation • Question of need for “Northern” development worker – increased specialisation

  7. Where are the UNV intern placements? • Priority given to Ireland’s designated programme countries • In 2009 these include: - Ethiopia (1) Cambodia (3)Laos (2)Timor Leste (2) Malawi (1), Lesotho (1), Mozambique (2) - Albania (1), Kosovo (1), Nepal (1), India (1)

  8. With UN Agencies field offices Likely to include: • UNHCR • UNAIDS • UNICEF • UNDP • WFP • UNIFEM

  9. Placement characteristics • Irish priority activities • e.g. HIV/AIDS, Education, Human Rights • Meaningful Terms of Reference • e.g. programme & policy development, Monitoring & evaluation, media & public info • Large UN office for desk positions • Safe living and working conditions

  10. Interviews – what are we looking for? Competencies: - Past behaviour is useful indicator of future behaviour • Work organisation and planning • Proactivity/self-reliance • Communication skills • Team work • Motivation and Commitment

  11. Interviews – what are we looking for? Checking for: • Career fit, career fit, career fit • Languages (Official UN) • Robust health • Original copy of Masters Degree Cert. • Availability for interview dates • Preferred location and type of work • Referees availability

  12. Time scale for 2009 UNV intern scheme • May- August UNV gathers suitable ToRs from UNV offices • Late Aug/Beg Sept – Irish Aid advertise scheme – 14 positions? • October – 1st and 2nd rd of interviews ( target 1st and 3rd weeks) 230- 250 applicants about 70 1st interview, then 35 2nd interview (ranking) • Early November: References checked and two nominees for each position on best fit and ranking in panel sent to UNV in Bonn • Mid Nov: Bonn sends two nominees for each position to field office • Dec – UN Field offices make final selection • Jan – 1 week training in Irish Aid Centre and 2 days in UNV Bonn • Feb 2010 – 14? Interns take up positions

  13. Building your CV • Work experience • Multilateral experience • NGO experience • Field experience – definitely !! • Research, policy-making • Academic qualifications – at least Masters • Staying up-to-date in your specialisation • Proficiency in UN languages – French, Spanish, Arabic

  14. Whatever happens – best of luck! www.irishaid.gov.iewww.irishaid.gov.ie/centre Thank You

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