Introduction to Multilaterals. Robin Broadway LSE Careers October 2011

Transcription

1 Introduction to Multilaterals Robin Broadway LSE Careers October 2011

2 What we will cover in this seminar Types of international (or multilateral ) organizations Their governance structure What kinds of vacancies they have The recruitment process

3 Definition of an multilateral organisation What a multilateral organisation is not: - NOT an international commercial firm, such as Exxon or P&G NOT part of the private sector: no individuals or companies own its shares

4 What it is: - Definition of a multilateral organisation Belongs in the public sector (its staff are international civil servants) Is owned and financed (in most cases) by governments Deals principally with governments (some exceptions: IFC and Private Sector Departments of IFIs)

5 Why is it called a multilateral organisation? To distinguish it from a multinational To emphasize that it is owned and controlled by many different countries Financial aid is usually tied to advice or conditions; these come from an international staff, who are theoretically impartial and not beholden to one country, or set of countries (e.g., the West )

6 Types of International Organisations UN Family International Financial Institutions (IFIs) World and regional political groupings (like European Union institutions, NATO, ASEAN, The Commonwealth, The Gulf Cooperation Council, Non-Aligned Movement, etc.) World and regional interest groups (e.g., OPEC, International Whaling Commission, International Coffee Organisation, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie)\ See Northwestern University s list on their website:

7 Some UN organisations UN Secretariat UN Development Programme (UNDP) The Global Fund UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) UN Children s Fund (UNICEF) World Health Organisation (WHO) UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) UN Women UN Population Fund (UNFPA) UN UN Industrial Dev. Org. (UNIDO) UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) World Tourism Org. (WTO) International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) World Meteorological Org. (WMO) International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Trade Organisation (WTO) World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) International Court of Justice (ICJ) Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) UN Environment Program (UNEP) UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) You can look them up on:

8 European Organisations European Commission European Parliament European Court of Justice European Personnel Selection Office (European Investment Bank) (European Investment Fund)

9 and others and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) International Organisation for Migration Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

10 Governance of International Organisations International organisations are run by the governments that established them and that provide their financial resources Why is this important? because it gives the organisations legitimacy because it explains some of their strengths and weaknesses

11 How International Organisations are governed Citizens of a country vote for MPs (Deputies, Congressmen, etc) and for their political parties. One or more parties in parliament forms a national government which sends national representatives to (i) the Board of Governors of each international organisation of which the country is a member and (ii) to the Executive Board whose chairman is the President/DG/Managing Director who heads the management and staff of the international organisation.

12 How international organisations are run on a day-to-day basis The President (Head of the Agency) chairs the Executive Board (whose members are nominated or elected by the constituent countries) which controls the direction of the organisation and approves all major decisions ****** The agency head (= CEO) manages the staff and the day-to-day running of the organisation

13 Tension between nationalism and internationalism National interests Executive Directors represent national interests Directions and resources come from member countries Staff must be member country nationals (Realism?) International interests Staff are international and theoretically a-political (thus more legitimacy) International perspective Impartiality Staff owe allegiance only to their organisation (Idealism?)

14 The Nationality Issue Normally, to join the staff of an international organisation, you need to be a national of one of the member countries At the UN, BIS, IMF and World Bank, almost all countries are members Regional development banks are restricted to nationals of regional country members and to nationals of donor countries For European institutions, you have to be a European national. Therefore, check the international organisation s website to see if you are eligible to join.

15 Nationality balance International organisations need an international staff for legitimacy, credibility and operational efficiency Countries want to exert their influence and their staff share to equal (or exceed!) their financial stake in the organisation

16 How national balance is achieved either through maintaining a rough balance between a country s contribution of resources, voting strength and share of staff or through establishing rigid national quotas and tied positions. So what impact does this have on you as an applicant and later as a staff member?

17 Employment opportunities at the professional level Mid-level and senior vacancies often filled from within. Some external hiring in order to make up for attrition through resignations and to hire staff with new skills that are in demand Entry-level professional external hiring, usually through a high-quality generalist program Contractual/consultant usually external, to meet short-term specific needs Research Assistants/Analysts? (paraprofessionals, usually with Masters) Internships (graduate and PhD students)

18 Types of appointment in an international organisation Staff Professional levels (including managers) (internationally recruited; open-ended appointments or 2-, 3- or 5-year appointments) (Para-professionals) Administrative levels (normally locally recruited) Non-staff Contractual and consultant employees (internationally or locally recruited; but NOT staff members)

19 What are international organisations looking for? Their first priority: professional (technical) knowledge and skills They usually require: at minimum Masters; PhD often preferred (especially for entrants coming directly from university) Economists, Development Specialists, Financial Analysts Engineers (infrastructure, transportation, water, etc.) Specialists in public health, education, environment, etc. Lawyers, IT specialists, HR, Controllers, Auditors etc.

20 and 2. Relevant work experience 3. Strong analytical skills 4. Ability to write well in English 5. Ability to speak other languages 6. International work or study experience 7. Excellent soft and people skills

21 What kind of soft skills? Strong interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills Initiative (a self-starter who needs little supervision) Reliability (if you are given a job, you get it done) Good organizational skills and good work habits (especially, the ability to work to a deadline) Flexibility (able to handle unexpected changes) Team-spirit (willing to help others) Commitment and dedication to the agency s mission ( passion for the organisation s mission) Patience; equanimity; and if possible, a sense of humour Diplomacy and tact Awareness of cultural and political differences

22 Selection Process 1. Submit CV or application form (usually online) 2. CV or application screened 3. Either selection by exam or preliminary interview plus assessment centre 4. Final interview by department and/or by supervisor Watch for deadlines actual or implicit

23 What to expect in the final Interviews interviews -- technical -- competency Assessment Centre -- could be a presentation, group discussion, in-tray exam, psychometric test, etc. Test of writing skills Sometimes assessment of research Reference check

24 International Organisations Day At LSE on Saturday, 12 th November Registration begins in New Academic Building Plenary Session in Peacock Theatre Individual organisations give presentations in lecture halls Some organisations also have stalls and conduct preliminary interviews.

25 Participating International Organisations at IOD 2011 Asian Development Bank European Bank for Reconstruction and Development European Investment Bank EU Careers/European Personnel Selection Office Inter-American Development Bank International Committee of the Red Cross International Finance Corporation International Organisation for Migration Islamic Development Bank OECD UNICEF UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) UN Secretariat, New York + UN Regional Information Centre UN Development Programme World Bank World Health Organisation

26 When reading an application, what are employers looking for? In addition to the factors mentioned above The facts, clearly and succinctly laid out Avoid making unsupported claims First-class academic qualifications and good, relevant work experience (incl. internships, research assistant and teaching assistant positions at university)

27 CV Heading Name: Put family name in capitals (or family name you normally use, e.g. CHUA, Antonio MERCADO Fabrigas Address: (the one where you would like the appointment letter to be sent!) Nationality Date of Birth Telephone Numbers (land-line and mobile) address (just one, that s how they will probably contact you)

28 Education In reverse chronological order, giving most space to the important elements Degree Subject University Dates (give expected grade, distinction, etc) Thesis topic and published papers Final secondary school, indicating country and, very briefly, your exam results

29 Experience Like with education, in reverse chronological order, giving most space to the most important points Indicate very briefly what you did in each job Give dates Internships, volunteer work, RA and TA work can also be included

30 General Tips Keep your points brief and to the point Keep your CV under 2 pages, unless you have a long publication list Make an impact: remember the midnight and a couple of glasses of wine factor Find out what the employer is looking for and provide examples Well-structured; clear; good English Don t make unsupported statements; avoid selfaggrandizing adjectives: let the facts speak for themselves.