Job Opportunity at Quaker United Nations Office, Geneva, Switzerland Scholarship / Financial aid: Swiss Francs 1,360 per month
Date: 1 September 2008 to end July 2009 Deadline: 25 March 2008
Open to: applicants that hold a degree or equivalent
Announcement follows:This is an internship opportunity for a person with an interest in international affairs and in the United Nations to experience a range of United Nations work, while working primarily as an assistant to the Representative for Disarmament and Peace (who is also the Director of QUNO).General SummaryThe Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in Geneva is a partnership between Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) and Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC). The QUNO Committee for Geneva, which comprises Friends appointed by both QPSW and FWCC, oversees the work of QUNO and sets the priorities for the programme work. Quaker Peace & Social Witness works with, and on behalf of, members of the Society of Friends in Britain to translate faith into action. Quakers are committed by faith to make active witness for peace and justice. The Quaker testimonies to equality, justice, peace, simplicity and truth are a challenge to alleviate suffering and seek positive change.
Duties and responsibilities:
The post will comprise two sets of responsibilities as follows:
1) Programme work (approximately 50% of time)
Assisting the Representative for Disarmament and Peace on his programme of work, including: · attending UN, NGO and other meetings; · assisting in setting up and participating in meetings at Quaker House and elsewhere; · representing QUNO at UN and other meetings, as appropriate; · writing internal notes and reports; · collecting, reading, analysing, sorting and filing documents; · undertaking small research and writing assignments; ·helping to prepare submissions to the UN, and other materials; responding to enquiries by letter, email and telephone.
2) Administrative tasks across all three programmes (approximately 50% of time)
· organising the Geneva Summer School (in cooperation with QPSW London)· assisting in the arrangements for lunches and other events which take place at Quaker House, including cooking and clearing up and other tasks around the House, · working with other members of staff on general routine clerical duties including dealing with filing, the post, photocopying, and all aspects of hospitality, maintaining the QUNO data base and other tasks related to QUNO outreach activities; · managing and editing a newsletter (the Geneva Reporter) and assisting in the maintenance of a web site.Applicants should be aware that while the work focuses on the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, much of the day-to-day work is administrative and takes place in the Quaker UN Office.
Conditions of Service
Salary: Currently Swiss Francs 1,360 per month. In addition, QUNO pays for a furnished self-catering studio in a student hostel for a single person, a bus pass providing free public transport in Geneva, and the social costs, benefits and health insurance required under Swiss law.
Holidays: 25 days to be taken during the contract period, in addition to Geneva public holidays. The days in which the office is closed, other than public holidays, count as part of the leave allowance. Timing of vacations is to be agreed in advance with the Disarmament and Peace Representative.Working hours: QUNO follows Swiss custom of a 40 hour work week. Office hours are normally 9am to 6pm with a one-hour lunch break. Time worked over and above that, if agreed in advance with the Disarmament and Peace Representative, is compensated by time off in lieu, to be taken within two weeks at times agreed in consultation with the Representative.Travel costs at the start and end of the appointment: The costs of a return ticket from the appointee's home base will be paid for.
Closing date for completed applications: 25 March 2008
Interviews: 24 AprilStarting date: 1 September 2008, with a mandatory preparation period of two weeks, beginning 18 August in the UK, for which a small allowance will be paid.
Website: http://www.quaker.org.uk
http://www.quaker.org.uk/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=141500
