It is an honour and a privilege to welcome Mona Khalil, as UCCs special guest speaker, sharing her advice and insights on  “How to Prepare for a Successful UN Interview - Insights from a former UN Senior Officer and Interview Panel Member"

Mona is a respected public international lawyer with 25 years of legal and diplomatic experience including as a former Senior Legal Officer in the United Nations.

During the 60min webinar Mona shared advice and insights on preparing for U.N. competency-based interview including:

·        The tools and steps for optimum preparation

·        The timing, setting and protocol of the UN interview

·        The questions which will likely be asked

·        The elements of an outstanding answer

The UN differentiates between UN core values, competencies, UN skills and managerial skills.

This is important to know as depending on the role you apply for you may want to highlight different skills. More senior role with supervisory function, include more managerial skills such as negotiation and leadership skills.

There are however competencies that are essential for all UN job applications and interviews regardless of the UN organisation or grade you apply for.

They apply for all staff and posts; employees of the UN are called upon to serve the universal ideals of peace, respect for fundamental rights and international cooperation. Furthermore, all UN staff members have to sign the Oath of Office, representing commitment towards upholding the highest levels of efficiency, competence and integrity.

So what are some of the core values that all United Nations staff members are not only expected to follow but will be appraised on?

• INTEGRITY which involves among others the obligation to include impartiality, fairness, honesty and truthfulness, in your daily activities and behaviours and to stand by decisions that are in the Organization's interest even if some of them might be unpopular.

• PROFESSIONALISM aiming to among others for UN staff members to show pride in their daily work and persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.

• RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY and GENDER aiming to among others for UN staff members to work effectively with people from all backgrounds, treat all people with dignity and respect as well as men and women equally.

As a UN employee its key to show commitment towards promoting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights for all. Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is a vital part for achieving both, human rights and human development.

The following UN Competencies can be found if most, if not all UN vacancies and are essential for your interviews and applications with the UN system:

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Planning and Organization

• Client Orientation

• Technological Awareness

Curious to learn more? Listen to UCCs 60min webinar “How to Prepare for a Successful UN Interview - Insights from a former UN Senior Officer and Interview Panel Member" and learn more about the mentioned competencies and other vital skills.

Looking for ways to kickstart your international career? We share the best cover letter tips and structure for 2021! Learn how to craft a cover letter that stands out with UCCs 20 page Illustrated guide of cover letter tips + a sample cover letter!

The United Career Coalition aims to share knowledge, insights, tips & advice from those that have applied, interviewed and secured United Nations system roles! 

Want to learn more on how to spot relevant skills and competencies in a UN system vacancy or the best method to convey your skills in a cover letter? Get in touch with one of our UN insiders or download UCC’s 45min cover letter webinar with tips and advice from UN insiders!

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