YPP Exam: Social Affairs/Social Policy & Development (for external applicants)

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located primarily in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the Regional Commissions. DESA is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. Its work is guided by the universal, integrated and transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015. The Regional Commissions are the regional outposts of the United Nations in their respective regions. They are also an integral part of their regional institutional landscape. Incumbents typically report to the Head of a Branch or Section or to a Senior Social Affairs Officer. The typical job in this area is Associate Social Affairs Officer and may also be Associate Population Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

The Young Professionals Programme examination in Social Affairs/Social Policy & Development covers a wide range of cross-cutting issues covered in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes social, economic and demographic topics, matters related to poverty eradication, employment, inequality, gender equality, social integration and social inclusion, crime prevention, drug policies, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, youth, population dynamics, aging and migration, as well as other related areas covered by the social affairs arms of the United Nations. Successful candidates could be assigned to a job in any or a combination of these areas.

Some of the key responsibilities in these areas would be:

Analysis
•Carries out basic research, including collecting, analysing and presenting data and other information gathered from different sources, undertaking literature reviews and participating in the analysis of national experiences and in policy development.
•Assists in designing, organizing, planning and managing the collection, evaluation, analysis, compilation, dissemination and visualization of statistical data on socio-economic issues. Assists in developing, implementing and managing statistical database(s) on trends in socio-economic development.
•Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g., draft background papers, sections of research reports and studies, technical studies, summary reports, etc.
•Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics, policy-related issues, recent developments and emerging trends, etc.
•Provides administrative and substantive support to expert group meetings, panel discussions, conferences, seminars, round tables, etc., including proposing agenda topics and experts, the preparation of technical materials, handling and overseeing logistical and administrative arrangements, etc.
•Analyses progress and developments in the implementation of specific programmes; contributes to the development of mechanisms for monitoring programme implementation.
•Maintains awareness of broader and current social affairs and related issues, such as political and sustainable development issues, so as to integrate relevant developments and considerations into specific sector, country or regional related activities and work.

Intergovernmental Support, Communication and Outreach
•Provides support to intergovernmental processes dealing with social development or population or sustainable development issues by preparing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies; following and providing technical support to intergovernmental meetings and preparing summary reports and similar material; preparing inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings; assisting in the organization of panels, round tables, etc.
•Liaises with NGOs, researchers, academia, etc., as appropriate, to obtain and provide data and information; responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally.
•Participates in the design and implementation of outreach activities in assigned areas, though the provision of written inputs including presentations articles and publications, and attending stakeholder meetings.
•Drafts communications materials for a variety of audiences, including for online publications, newsletters and social media platforms.

Technical Cooperation
•Compiles and analyses data and other information necessary for the preparation of technical cooperation project proposals in the area of social development, population affairs or sustainable development.
•Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
•Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sectoral technical cooperation projects.
•Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
•Participates in fact-finding and advisory missions to government and other activities in support of work programme.
•Performs other duties as required.

The duties above are generic and may not be performed by all Associate Social Affairs / Associate Population Affairs Officers.

Competencies

Professionalism:
•Shows pride in work and in achievements
•Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
•Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
•Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
•Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
•Remains calm in stressful situations
•Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work

Teamwork:
•Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
•Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
•Places team agenda before personal agenda
•Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
•Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

Planning & Organizing:
•Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
•Identifies priority activities and assignments
•Adjusts priorities as required
•Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
•Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
•Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
•Uses time efficiently

Education

At least a first-level university degree (i.e., Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree of at least three years) in one of the following areas (to be selected from the “Main Course of Study” dropdown menu):

All Fields of Study within the following Main Courses of Study:
•Social & Behavioural Science
•Mathematics & Statistics
•Law

Additional accepted Fields of Study:
•Criminology (found within “Security” Main Course of Study)
•Cultural Studies, Foreign Languages and Cultures (found within “Humanities” Main Course of Study

Important: when preparing your application in Inspira, please choose the field of study that is closest to your degree, from the “Field of Study” and “Main Course of Study” dropdown menus; then type the exact title in original language as well as its translation in English or French in the additional comment boxes. Do not select “other” for main course of study or field of study.

Work Experience

No work experience is required. Relevant work experience may be taken into consideration as an additional screening criteria when more than 60 candidates from the same country apply to the same exam area.

Languages

Fluency (speaking, reading, listening, and writing) in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

The assessment process is divided into 3 stages:
1) Screening of applications
2) Written examination taken online
3) Oral examination.

Knowledge of UN languages may be tested at any of these stages.

• Applications will be screened based on the eligibility criteria in this Job Opening.

• The written examination will be conducted via an online testing platform. Candidates convoked for the written examination will be responsible for identifying and securing a location suitable for them to complete the examination (i.e., a computer with a reliable internet connection). Further information regarding the online testing platform and exam preparation guidance will be provided to those convoked for the examination.

The written examination is planned to be offered in two parts, with the following tentative time frame (exact dates to be announced on the UN Careers YPP Page):
• Part I (mid-May) consists of 1) the General Paper, which assesses written communication and other competencies and abilities critical to success in working in an international affairs context, and 2) first part of the Specialized Paper, multiple choice questions which assess knowledge and attributes relevant to the exam area.
• Part II (1-2 months after part I) consists of the second part of the Specialized Paper, constructed response items (i.e., open-ended questions) which assess knowledge and attributes relevant to the exam area. Only examinees successful in part one of the online exam will be invited to participate in the second part.

• Only examinees who are successful in the overall written examination will be invited to the oral examination. The oral examination will be conducted via online video conference. The oral examination will assess the key competencies for the job family, as described in the Job Opening. Part of the final assessment stage, either before, during or after the oral examination may include an element to verify the candidate’s answers given in the Specialized Paper as well as the information in the Personal History Profile submitted. The anticipated time frame for the oral examinations is sometime in Autumn 2022.

Special Notice

• The purpose of the present Job Opening is to invite applications from external candidates who wish to take the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) examination in Social Affairs/Social Policy and Development. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the YPP Careers Page to learn more: careers.un.org/ypp. UN Secretariat staff members who are eligible to apply through the “G to P” or “G to N” track must not apply through this Job Opening.

• Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. Have at least a first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or at least a three-year equivalent) in the main course of study listed in the Education Section of this Job Opening;
2. Be 32 years old or younger by the end of 2021 (born on or after 1 January 1989);
3. Be fluent in either English or French; and
4. Have the nationality of a participating Member State.

The participating Member States for the 2021 YPP are:

Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

If more than 60 applicants from the same country apply for the same exam area, those applicants will be further screened and ranked according to points given for the following additional qualifications: highest level of education completed, knowledge of official UN languages, and relevant work experience. The “top 60” applicants per country per exam area will be convoked to the first stage of the online exam. A maximum of 40 applicants per country per exam area will move forward from the first stage of the online exam to the second stage, based on exam performance.

• APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT SCANNED COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS, AS ATTACHMENTS IN THEIR APPLICATIONS, TO BE CONSIDERED.
1. Passport or a valid identification document issued by a state authority, showing your name, birth date and nationality, with a clear photograph;
2. Documentation of University degree(s) (e.g., diploma, transcript or similar official document), reflecting the main course of study selected.

• Submitting applications for more than one YPP exam in a given year will result in automatic disqualification.

• Success in the YPP exam process will result in placement on a roster of eligible candidates for selection into specific vacancies which may arise over the course of a three-year period (beginning from when the roster is established).

• Upon selection, successful YPP candidates will be initially appointed at the P-1 or P-2 level depending on their qualifications. Those appointed at the P-1 level shall be promoted to a position at the P-2 level following a minimum of two years of satisfactory performance and depending on the availability of posts.

• Applicants should monitor the UN Careers YPP Page (careers.un.org/ypp) frequently. Important notifications and updates will be posted there.

• Click “apply” to activate the Virtual Assistant or Chatbot, Alba, in Inspira. Alba will answer questions about YPP.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.