CAREERS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: ADVICE FROM THE FIELD. Tia Wheeler 5 December 2006

Transcription

1 CAREERS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: ADVICE FROM THE FIELD Tia Wheeler 5 December 2006

2 GENERAL ADVICE NOW Know what jobs are out there, and what the jobs involve At least two languages Time on ground Start building experience Practice selling yourself

3 GENERAL ADVICE LOOKING AHEAD Internship/entry level position early Start with small companies/offices Networking/ organization vs. newspaper job advertisments

4 TYPES OF IR JOBS IOs/NGOs Who UN, EU, World Bank Oxfam, Red Cross What Admin Technical Professionals Intel Community Who Government Private Companies What Analysts Admin/Project Management

5 COMMON REQUIREMENTS Minimum Bachelor degree Foreign language skills Time on the ground Relevant work experience Excellent writing ability Multi-tasking Ability to work alone, and with groups

6 TIME ON THE GROUND Peace Corps Teaching English Semester/year Abroad Volunteer vacations Gap year - several months in a country

7 INTERVIEW HINTS Start a personal dossier Spell check Submit a brief, current writing sample Research the company Reference current events Admit what you do not know

8 INTERNSHIPS

9 National Security Education Program (NSEP)/David Boren Graduate Study abroad programs in regions deemed critical to U.S. security interests and to learn non-european languages abroad. Students must be U.S. citizens who are interested in working with a security-related federal agency after completion of their education. The program is open to a wide variety of majors and disciplines. For more details on the two NSEP programs, which are administered by the Institute for International Education (IIE), please look at the website:

10 Internship, Council on Foreign Relations, New York The responsibilities of the intern include (but are not limited to): Assisting in quality control of website material Providing support in editing pieces for the website Providing administrative support to the website department: including correspondence, transcribing interviews, scheduling appointments, answering phones, and maintaining departmental files Preferred Qualifications: Undergraduate or graduate student focusing on international relations and/or journalism Previous administrative experience Excellent editing and writing skills Strong organizational and communication skills Strong attention to detail Familiarity and facility with online research Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; HTML skills preferred Ability to work independently or on a team. Candidates should be prepared to work a minimum of 25 hours per week, though a full time commitment is preferred. A modest stipend is offered upon completion of the internship.

11 Human Rights Internship Currently, The Leadership Council for Human Rights is looking for interns to help us develop our programs and materials. Interns will help the small LCHR staff with: Developing our outreach materials; Adding to and maintaining our contact database; Planning and execution of events; Maintaining our website and listserv; Attending and reporting on congressional hearings; General administrative duties At a minimum, candidates must demonstrate: Firm interest in international issues and human rights Professionalism and business appropriate communication skills Computer savvy Ability to work independently, but as a key part of a small office team

12 Internships, Public Strategies, Inc. With employees in major cities across the United States, as well as London and Mexico City, Public Strategies manages media, communications, and public policy campaigns for corporations and organizations. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about public affairs, crisis management, and corporate campaigns through a hands-on internship. Interns will play a critical role in client work, as well as internal projects. Candidates are preferably in their junior or senior year of college, recent graduates, or in graduate school. Salary is $10-15 per hour depending on degree. Requirements: Applicants should have excellent writing, research, and organizational skills and be motivated, fast learners, preferably with an interest in government, politics, or corporate strategy. Students should also have a strong academic background and be able to manage multiple projects at a time.

13 Intern Transparency International-USA Qualification: TI-USA seeks several interns to support the efforts of our office in Washington, D.C. Both part-time and full-time positions are available. Successful candidates will perform a range of duties depending upon their experience and ability. In the past, they have been asked to complete tasks involving research, correspondence, meeting/hearing attendance, media coverage, and general administration. In reviewing applicants, we emphasize strong writing, creative problem solving, and thorough research skills. A background in international affairs and experience/interest in issues of corruption and accountability are preferred. Foreign language skills, particularly Spanish, are a plus.

14 International Development Intern, Visions in Action Visions offers 6 and 12 month volunteer placements in Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mexico. We are a non-religious and non-political organization that is committed to providing hands on educational experiences where participants assist in making a difference in the developing world. We are a growing organization that is looking for a motivated intern to help out with the day to day activities within the office. Internship positions require a commitment of three months or more for hours per week. Interns may be placed in any of the following areas: Public Relations Fundraising Conference Newsletter Research Computer System/IT International Administrative

15 EMPLOYMENT

16 UN Junior Professional Program CRITERIA (all must be met) 1. Be no more than 32 years old as of December 31, 2007 (UN requirement). 2. Have at least an undergraduate degree (advanced degree is a definite advantage) in one of the following occupational fields or related areas: * Economics * Legal Affairs * Library and Information Management * Publishing and Printing * Radio Producers (Arabic & Spanish) * Security * Statistics 3. Be fluent in English and/or French, the two working languages of the Secretariat. Knowledge of additional official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is a definite advantage. For Radio Producers, Arabic and/or Spanish required.

17 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, Peace X Peace, Washington D.C. REQUIRED: 5+ years experience in organizational support and administration at the executive level 2+ years experience in Human Resource management Superior schedule management skills at the executive level High-level expertise in developing, maintaining, and implementing tracking systems on communications, connections, commitments, and meetings Expertise in developing and managing an executive budget Superior writing skills, including meeting minutes, research briefs, executive letters, and more Expertise in creating spreadsheets and presentations, including in multi-media options, PowerPoint, and graphs Expertise in coordinating executive meetings, including in teleconference services, Skype, and videoconference Expertise in making travel arrangements Bachelor s degree (minimum) in area related to responsibilities of the position HIGHLY DESIRABLE: Experience in creating processes for more efficient, effective office management Knowledge of Apple computers and imac operating systems Fluency in language(s) other than English Experience living outside the U.S. Rolodex of women s empowerment, conflict resolution, and/or funding organizations

18 GCHQ Linguist LRL 1/06 (non European languages) Do you speak Middle Eastern, African, Indian subcontinent, Asian and Oriental languages? GCHQ has requirements for staff with language skills in the areas listed above that have not been met through our normal recruitment campaigns. If you believe you have these skills then we would be interested in receiving a CV from you. This will be assessed to see if you have the experience we require and, more importantly, if you have skills that cannot be met through an open competition. If it is felt that your skills more closely match those sought via our mainstream recruitment campaigns you will be asked to apply through that particular campaign.

19 Research Assistant-International 20,775 per annum ippr is looking for a Research Assistant to join its International Programme. The Programme aims to apply the ippr s core values of social justice, opportunity and sustainability to some of the most pressing global issues and to formulate practical policy responses to them. The Programme seeks to make a policy contribution in four broad areas: security, poverty reduction and development, human rights, and national and global governance. The post will involve assisting across the range of stated research projects within the international team. The successful candidate should have strong research skills, along with excellent academic credentials and strong interpersonal skills. A commitment to the work and ideals of the ippr is essential. In return the postholder will receive extensive support and ongoing development, as well as a generous annual leave entitlement.

20 Program Officer, Flagship Russian Language Program DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist management team in daily operation of Flagship Programs and in development, and implementation of Persian Flagship Program Organize selection committee in admission of Russian participants; provide logistical assistance to Persian Flagship Selection Committee Designs and coordinates orientation program for Russian and Persian Flagship participants Coordinates participant testing and progress tracking throughout program period Communicates with Russian universities and Tajik faculty teaching Persian Flagship participants Works with overseas staff to arrange visa, travel, housing and internships for Flagship participants Writes reports, proposals, and promotional materials Maintains and updates Flagship websites Develops program budgets and tracks expenses QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in Russian-related field or equivalent work experience; graduate degree strongly preferred; Excellent written and oral communication skills; Excellent spoken and written Russian; Outstanding organizational skills; Database and spreadsheet skills preferred; Knowledge of budgetary procedures, especially with regard to government grants preferred Knowledge of Persian desirable

21 Research Assistant - Military Studies Division R&D firm specializing in command and control (C2) research for the Department of Defense has immediate need for a research assistant. Primary responsibilities will include supporting and contributing to on-going research projects that focus on future military command and control systems and processes, development of measures of efficiency and effectiveness, data collection and analysis. Applicants should be college graduates able to learn quickly, manage time efficiently, and write clearly and concisely. They should have the intellectual confidence to ask questions and suggest solutions. The ideal candidate will have an established interest in military affairs, a current security clearance, and experience in data analysis. Computer skills in MS Office are necessary. The starting salary is $37,000 per year. US citizenship required.

22 Program Coordinator, Concern Worldwide, Afghanistan Job Objective: To manage and develop Concern s Badakhshan program; to train and supervise community development staff to increase participation and development of communities in northern Afghanistan. Qualifications: At least two years previous overseas experience in a role directly involved with managing and implementing community development programs or partner/local institution organizational capacity development programs. At least two years experience of managing a team of national staff. Strong management skills personnel, project, and financial aspects Strong planning and organizational skills Knowledge and experience of advising community-based organizations Strong communication, facilitation, training and interpersonal skills Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity Willingness to live and work in a restrictive cultural environment Desirable: Relevant Master s level degree (humanitarian aid, rural development, community development, organizational and institutional capacity building and development) Previous experience (one year or more) of working as a trainer in an area related to the objective of this job. Previous experience in Afghanistan with a local or international NGO. Previous experience working in an Islamic culture. Previous experience working in a complex post emergency.

23 Africa Program Officer Trickle Up is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the poorest people take the first steps out of poverty via microenterprise development. Over the last year, our budget was $4.3 million, and we are committed to growing the scale and impact of our work. You will be one of a team of four regional officers and will report to the Director of Programs. You will manage a New York-based Program Associate and a West Africa regional office with a staff of 16. Qualification: You have a track record of excellence in development that demonstrates leadership, creativity, passion, and vision. You have a Master's degree in international relations, development, or a relevant field, and work experience in microenterprise development, sustainable livelihoods, and/or economic development. You have at least three years' management experience with NGOs. Your program management skills include: strong partner relations, participatory planning and design, proposal writing and documentation, financial management, and the ability to cultivate and reach agreements with funders. You have experience developing successful and complex proposals for foundation, government, and other institutional funders. You are fluent in French and have at least two years' field experience in Africa. You have strong people skills, covering team building, team leadership, and cross-cultural work. You are able to travel 30% of the time under occasionally rough conditions. You are authorized to work in the U.S.

24 Researcher on South Africa/NGO Liaison, Human Rights Watch (Johannesburg Office) Researcher responsibilities will include monitoring, investigating and documenting human rights violations and developing local and international advocacy strategies to bring violations to the attention of the government of South Africa and the international community. Qualifications: This position requires a substantial background in human rights and policy analysis. The position combines elements of both research and advocacy and requires an individual who has particularly solid judgment and initiative and strong interpersonal skills. Candidates should have a background in human rights concerns in the country and region and excellent English oral and written communications skills. An advanced degree in international relations, journalism, law, history and/or the social sciences as well as experience in human rights work are required. Experience living or working in South Africa and fluency in other regional dialects are assets. A demonstrated commitment to international human rights is required. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, flexible, wellorganized, able to work quickly and well under pressure both independently and as a member of a team, and capable of producing excellent written material in English under tight deadlines. As the NGO Liaison, s/he must be capable of running training sessions and guiding Human Rights Watch colleagues in the inclusion of trainees in planning and conducting fact-finding missions and advocacy campaigns.

25 International Advocacy Officer (United Nations), Palestine The international advocacy officers work collaboratively with the International Advocacy Officer (United Nations advocacy) for the maintenance of the units daily international advocacy work in the English language on violations of the rights of Palestinian children related to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The Officer will build the capacity of DCI/PS to carry out advocacy at the UN and EU levels. Qualifications: Masters Degree in human rights or international affairs or a related field of the social sciences, or alternatively, a BA/JD in law with an LLM in human rights, humanitarian or EU law. Fluent written and spoken English Minimum two years of related advocacy work experience Knowledge of child rights and state obligations to uphold child rights during armed conflict/occupation Knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Ability to travel freely between the Middle East and Europe Arabic language ability is an asset Salary: USD 1,500 (including taxes)

26 Project-Based Linguists Immediate need for project-based native speaking linguists in Afghan Pashto, Farsi, Dari, and in Canadian French. No translation involved. Project involves creating phonetic pronunciations of translated phrases for military/intelligence use. Pashto, Dari and Farsi linguists selected must have current, colloquial, Afghan "street language" knowledge of their respective language. Canadian French must be Quebecois. The material is not formal or in a literary form of the language. Must be familiar with basic military/intelligence terminology. Compensation is hourly, to be negotiated. Professional references on linguistic ability required.

27 RESOURCES St Andrews Career Center - Paul Brown February = Gap Year Fair Tactic Sheets, booklets Prospects website Professional/scholarly organizations Professors

28 RESOURCES

29 RESOURCES