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IO/UNS Newsletter [2/8/22]

Yun Liang - Tuesday, February 8, 2022
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 
February 8, 2022

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

We hope everyone had a great weekend and a chance to watch the 2022 Winter Olympics taking place in Beijing, China that were also attended by the President of the UN General Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. 

Today, UNDP published a Special Report on Human Security “New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene: Demanding Greater Solidarity” to showcase how a new generation of human security framework is needed to understand and address the growing insecurities in people’s lives and to kick off a global conversation that will enrich the preparation of the 2021-2022 Human Development Report. 

This Wednesday, February 9th from 1:00-2:00 pm ET, Dr. Nina Reiners will share insights from her book Transnational Lawmaking Coalitions for Human Rights to show that beneath the surface of the formal access, procedures, and actors of the UN treaty body system, experts and external collaborators play a key role in the development of human rights. You can RSVP here. 

In UN news, President Biden nominated Elizabeth Shortino as the US Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund. Ms. Shortino has more than 17 years of public service experience in the U.S. government, including within the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Treasury, and the Office of the U.S. Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund. 

To help connect SIPA's IO/UNS community on Twitter, we just launched this tweet. If you're on Twitter, consider to

  • Add a comment and we will follow you 
  • Check out your fellow SIPA students in the thread and consider following them
  • Share the tweet (including with your friends and student groups)

This is not just for the experienced social media users but for anyone who wants to grow their professional Twitter networks.

In this newsletter, you will find:

  • UN Women Event Recap
  • UN YPP Application - Feb. 13 Deadline
  • What We’re Listening To
  • IO/UNS Student Spotlight
  • Events at SIPA and Beyond
  • Internship Opportunities

Best regards,

Daniel, Nate & Yun

IO/UNS Specialization Team

**Please note this message is clipped. You can open the message in a new browser to see full event and internship listings.

UN Women & The Future of the UN's Gender Agenda

Thanks to everyone, who attended last week's talk by Dr. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. The close to 200 participants, half of which attended in-person and half online, gained deep insides into Dr. Bahous' vision and positioning of UN Women. The conversation with Professors Yasmine Ergas and Daniel Naujoks honed in on the role of the UN more broadly, mainstreaming of gender across various policy sectors by the UN, and key areas of work on gender & women the world over. 

UN YPP: Apply by February 13

The application period for the 2021-22 YPP exams is now open. Applications will be accepted through 13 February 2022. The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP), a recruitment initiative for talented, highly qualified professionals to start a career as an international civil servant with the UN Secretariat. This year’s exam topic areas and their corresponding job openings are:

  • Social Affairs/Social Policy and Development: Job Opening #164785
  • Statistics and Data Science: Job Opening #164791

Students who would like to join a student-led study group, connecting with like-minded students who are also planning to take the exam, please submit your interest here!

If you plan to apply, we recommend creating an account on Inspira as soon as possible as it might take some time to set it up. Please feel free to review some of the UN YPP resources:

­ƒîÉ SIPA Panel on the YPP ­ƒîÉ APSIA Webinar on YPP ­ƒîÉ Other APSIA Webinars ­ƒîÉ YouTube: “Passing the UN YPP" ­ƒîÉ Basic Facts about the UN (recommended by YPP panelists) ­ƒîÉ UCC Webinars “How to prepare for a successful U.N. interview” & “How to Kickstart your Global Career with Diplomatic Skills" ­ƒîÉ General information from private company

What We're Listening To

In this column, we highlight IO/UNS-related podcasts, movies, news sources, and more that might be of interest to students in our community.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics have begun, and there has never been an Olympic Games like this before. Today, we dive into the political controversies around the host nation, China, including their record of human rights abuses, as well as their approach to staging the games during the pandemic. Then, on a happier note, we look at some of the most interesting storylines and athletes on Team USA, including which athletes are likely to medal, and an early contender for heartwarming story of the Olympics. Our guests are Sean Fitz-Gerald, senior national writer for The Athletic, and Zack Pierce, managing editor for The Athletic Minnesota.

Listen to the podcast here. For more information, check out Sean Fitz-Gerald's story about China's grim shadow over the Games. 


Do you have a favorite podcast, news series, or blog that you think your peers would enjoy? Send us an email with your recommendations!
Danielle Neftin

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

We are proud of the critical views and relevant experiences of our IO/UNS specializers. To give each other a platform and a better appreciation of our goals and ideas, we are looking for volunteers to shed a spotlight on in our weekly newsletter communications and post on our Twitter account (@UNatColumbia). We hope these spotlights will help foster an even better understanding of our IO/UNS community and to share your inspirations for pursuing an education in multilateralism and global governance. We know that each of you has something to offer. Don't be shy and please fill out our questionnaire here - we'd love to shine a light on you!
Events at SIPA & Beyond
Spotlighted Events
 

Wednesday, Feb 9. 1-2 PM ET
Online & in-person
Transnational Lawmaking Coalitions for Human Rights

 

RSVP | EVENT INFO
 

Friday, Feb 18. 1-2.30 PM ET
Online & in-person
International Organizations Revisited
 

RSVP | EVENT INFO
Tomorrow | IO/UNS: Wednesday, February 9. 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET.
Transnational Lawmaking Coalitions for Human Rights
Online & in-person

What is the role and impact of informal collaborations in the UN human rights treaty bodies? Nina Reiners shares insights from her new book 'Transnational Lawmaking Coalitions for Human Rights' (Cambridge UP, 2022) to show that issues as central to international human rights as the right to water, abortion, torture, and hate speech are often only clarified through the instrument of treaty interpretations. Diving beneath the surface of the formal access, procedures, and actors of the UN treaty body system, Reiners reveals how the experts and external collaborators play a key role in the development of human rights.

The talk will be moderated by Professor Daniel Naujoks, director a.i., IO/UNS specialization. 

Dr. Reiners will join virtually. Columbia students and faculty can opt to join the in-person joint viewing or to join virtually. Due to the pandemic, other guests only have the option to join online. Please see the separate registration options. 

Register here.

THIS WEEK February 9 & 16, 2022. 
UNA-NYC Careers at the United Nations
Online 
 
The United Nations Association of New York is hosting a four-part series exploring careers in the United Nations with exclusive access to information and insider tips about how to launch their UN careers. The sessions will be held via Zoom, on January 26, February 2, February 9 and February 16. The time slot for the first three sessions is from 6–7 p.m. ET, while the last session on February 16 is from 1–2 p.m. EST. Each session will last approximately one hour and will include time for attendees to ask questions.
  • February 9 | Navigating the NGO Ecosystem:
    Get an in-depth look at the network of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that work with the UN and the opportunities it presents
  • February 16 | Young Professionals Career Panel: Meet with four young professionals working in the UN world and hear their individual journeys to their jobs, from start to finish
Register for the webinars here.
THIS WEEK Thursday, February 9. 8:00 - 10:00 AM ET.
UN Careers LIVE!
Online

Join CAC for a two-hour LIVE webinar in which we will explore opportunities for university students and recent graduates to start a career in the United Nations. You will be able to attend special presentations on job opportunities that make a difference in the world, the value of adding the UN to your career journey, and much more. This session offers an exciting opportunity to learn more about the work of the United Nations and to gain valuable insight into the process of becoming a competitive applicant.

Audience: The webinar is designed for recent or upcoming graduates who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Candidates who are multilingual, have international experience, or backgrounds in multiple sectors are highly encouraged to join.

The event will be conducted in English. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
 
Register for the webinar here.
Tuesday, February 15. 5:00 PM ET.
Pursuing a Job in the United Nations System
Online

This presentation, by a senior manager of the United Nations Development Programme, will outline strategies for launching a career and pursuing employment in the UN System. Topics covered include: identifying employment targets, navigating the different intra-organization agencies, and networking and interviewing with established organization professionals.
Mari Matsumoto has worked for more than 25 years across many areas of administration and management at the UN, including inter-agency policies, staff engagement, talent management, coaching and leadership.

Registration for the webinar here. 
Thursday, February 17. 5:30 PM ET.
The Development Diplomat: Working Across Borders, Boardrooms, and Bureaucracies to End Poverty
Online

How can we think about development and diplomacy differently to fight global poverty? Join Fatema Sumar in conversation with Leyth Swidan MPA '18 about her new book, “The Development Diplomat." Sumar will share her own personal and professional stories working on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. government to offer a roadmap of how development diplomacy can change the world. This event will prove to be eye-opening for foreign policy practitioners and current policy students alike who are interested in learning how international development and politics are intertwined.

Register for the webinar here. 
Internship Opportunities
Oslo Forum Intern, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
Application Deadline: February 8, 2022
Location: Geneva, Switzerland

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) is a private diplomacy organisation founded on the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Its mission is to help prevent, mitigate and resolve armed conflict through dialogue and mediation.

Since 2003, the Oslo Forum has grown to become the pre-eminent, agenda-setting retreat in the field of international peacemaking. Co-hosted by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Oslo Forum regularly convenes conflict mediators, peacemakers, high level decision-makers and key peace process actors in a series of informal and discreet retreats. Past participants have included John F. Kerry, Federica Mogherini, Kofi Annan, Juan Manuel Santos, Gerry Adams and Fatou Bensouda. Oslo Forum events are complemented by Oslo Forum publications and podcasts that provide insights, guidance and thought leadership across a range of issues in conflict mediation and peacemaking. The intern will be part of a small team working on the preparation and delivery of the June 2022 event, and will assist with logistics, publications and reporting.
 
Apply on SIPAlink Job #27085699.
OECD Summer Internship
Application Deadline: February 22, 2022
Location: Global Remote/Virtual, Europe - France, Paris

The Organization for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Internship Programme has been designed to bring highly qualified and motivated students with diverse backgrounds into the Organisation to work on projects linked to the Strategic Orientations of the Secretary-General. Its main goal is to give successful candidates an opportunity to improve their analytical and technical skills as well as the experience to work in a truly international environment. Retained candidates will carry out research and provide statistical and technical support for analytical work, under the direction of an OECD official.
 
Apply on SIPAlink Job #27085937.
UNESCAP Environment Affairs Intern
Application Deadline: February 28, 2022
Location: Home-based

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Environment and Development Division, Sustainable Urban Development Section works with member States and key stakeholders to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development in Asia and the Pacific through a programme of work focused on: (i) developing and disseminating knowledge products that foster enhanced awareness and informed decision-making; (ii) providing technical assistance and supporting capacity development; (iii) strengthening intergovernmental processes; and (iv) networking and partnership development, among others.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

UNDP Communication Intern for the Prevention of Violent Extremism
Application Deadline: June 30, 2022
Location: Home-based

UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) has corporate responsibility for UNDP’s corporate crisis-related work and driving UNDP’s vision and priorities for crisis prevention, response, and recovery, to support the strategic results, outcomes and outputs of UNDP's Strategic Plan. Within the CB, the Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions (CPPRI) team works on the integration of governance, conflict prevention and peacebuilding interventions. The CPPRI team leads and coordinates UNDP's corporate, global approach on how to prevent violent extremism (PVE) from a development perspective. 
The intern will engage with the PVE Team in New York as well as colleagues in Country Offices and Regional Hubs to enhance communication across the practice.This position will expose the intern to unique insights on implementation of peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism programmes across the 42 countries in which UNDP implements PVE projects.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

UNCDF - Internship Opportunity with the Partnerships, Policy and Communications Unit
Application Deadline: September 30, 2022
Location: Home-based

The UN Capital Development Fund makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries (LDCs).

UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF pursues innovative financing solutions through: (1) financial inclusion, which expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the local economy, while also providing differentiated products for women and men so they can climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; (2) local development finance, which shows how fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion, women’s economic empowerment, climate adaptation, and sustainable development; and (3) a least developed countries investment platform that deploys a tailored set of financial instruments to a growing pipeline of impactful projects in the “missing middle.’’

UNCDF is seeking an intern to be part of the Partnerships, Policy and Communications Unit (PPC) in its Headquarters located in New York, United States. Working under the guidance and supervision of the Head of PPC, and working closely with PPC staff, the intern will support the ongoing workplan and goals of the unit, including but not limited to expanding partnerships; preparing policy briefs for high level meetings; supporting the launch of major initiatives on blended finance and enterprises in Africa; and building and maintaining a base of knowledge about Member States.


To apply, please visit the job posting here.

UN Office of Political Affairs - Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate, Intern
Application Deadline: December 30, 2022
Location: New York

The internship is for an initial period of three months, with an opportunity for extension up to a total period of six months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours). This position is located in the Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate (OVRA). The OVRA was created as part of the four-pronged strategy set out in the 2017 report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on special measures on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse: a new approach (A/71/818). Its mandate is directed to

ensuring that the rights and dignity of victims are at the forefront of all elements of the United Nations system-wide response to sexual exploitation and abuse alleged to be perpetrated by United Nations uniformed or civilian personnel and non-United Nations troops serving under a Security Council mandate. The intern will support the work of the Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate and work under the supervision of the Human Rights Officer.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.
Intern - Public Information, Office of the High Reprsentative for the LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries, and SIDs
Application Deadline: January 12, 2023
Location: New York

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) internship is for two months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the department. For more information, please see: https://un.org/ohrlls

The internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.


To apply, please visit the job posting here.

Follow the IO/UNS Specialization on
CampusGroups, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.

Feel free to reach out to us:
Daniel Naujoks, Interim Director, daniel.naujoks@columbia.edu
To book office hours, click here.

Yun Liang, Program Assistant, yun.liang@columbia.edu
Nate Edwards, Program Assistant, nke2113@columbia.edu