Fellow, Quaker United Nations Office – New York

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Fellow, Quaker United Nations Office – New York

Job category: Exempt

Status: Full-Time (One year term; Starting October 1st, 2014)

Supervisor: QUNO Director

Region/Unit: Quaker United Nations Office

Location: New York, New York

Quaker United Nations Office – New York (QUNO)

“QUNO’s mission is to help the United Nations fully carry out its responsibility to prevent violent conflict and build sustainable peace around the world. We work with diplomats, UN officials and civil society groups to change the way the UN community thinks and acts at a policy level in New York, which then impacts the actions of the UN and others on the ground.” QUNO – New York Mission Statement

QUNO - New York is set up as a partnership between AFSC and the Friends Central Committee for Consultation (FWCC), acting together as trustees of the Quaker witness and the Quaker presence at the United Nations in New York. The Quaker UN Committee (QUNC) for New York is responsible for setting program priorities, recommending program plans and budgets to the AFSC Board of Directors, and monitoring and evaluating the work of QUNO-New York.

QUNO staff members facilitate dialogue among UN stakeholders, help bring new ideas and perspectives from the ground to the international policy agenda, offer expert input into UN processes and represent the insights and concerns of Friends in the UN context.

QUNO-New York has a collegial relationship with the Quaker United Nations Office – Geneva (QUNO-Geneva).

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The Fellow will assist QUNO senior staff to develop QUNO program and implement program activities. In particular, the Fellow will work on one or more focused projects that fit within QUNO’s program plan, as agreed by the QUNO Director and with a particular focus on ongoing QUNO activities that bridge UN efforts in the areas of social and economic development. These will include the exploration of creative responses to international conflict for QUNO, including non-violent policy alternatives, as well as supporting QUNO’s work on the UN’s post-2015 sustainable development agenda. This will involve attending relevant UN meetings, meeting with diplomats, members of the UN Secretariat and NGO representatives. The Fellow will liaise with other Quaker partner agencies and report on and interpret QUNO program to those outside of QUNO. S/he will play an active role in supporting the day to day operations of the office, including preparing for and participating in QUNO Committee meetings.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the Fellow include the following:

1. Work in a collaborative team with QUNO senior staff to develop one or more areas of QUNO program.
2. Attend and report on relevant program-related meetings at the United Nations.
3. Explore new connections and relationships.
4. Develop, plan, and organize relevant program activities.
5. Liaise with QUNO Geneva, AFSC, FWCC and other Quaker organizations around area of program specialization.
6. Report on and interpret work in one or more areas of QUNO program.
7. Attend meetings of and report to the Quaker UN Committee.
8. Work with QUNO Office Coordinator to provide general administrative support as needed.

Qualifications

Education:Advanced degree in international relations, development, peace studies, or a related field.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, Master’s degree (or relevant experience) preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of international affairs in area of program specialization.
2. At least 1 year demonstrated experience working with the UN system.
3. Experience providing team leadership.
4. Knowledge of and experience with Friends’ meetings and/or organizations very helpful.
5. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Ability to work in other official UN languages desirable.
6. Demonstrated ability to work with people of differing backgrounds and ideologies. Facility in meeting people and conversing easily; sensitivity to cultural, religious, gender and class differences among people.
7. Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and communications software.
8. Availability to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings and to travel outside the United States for periods of up to two weeks.
9. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
10. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

Compensation:This is an exempt position. The salary will be $37,000. Compensation includes comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances; defined benefit pension plan plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation; and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The central office of the AFSC and some offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

QUNO-New York is a smoke-free workplace.

How to apply:

Please Apply Online: https://jobs-afsc.icims.com/jobs/1318/fellow%2c-quaker-united-nations-of...