DERN, NUIG Galway

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