Graduate Professional (Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme) → UNIDIR

Background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations (UN) that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the UN and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme (CAAP) is seeking a Graduate Professional to support research and assist in implementing project activities, primarily in the field of weapons and ammunition management. The programme explores and promotes measures to prevent or mitigate the negative impact of unregulated proliferation and misuse of conventional arms and ammunition, thereby contributing to peace, security and sustainable development. In collaboration with UN entities, States, regional organizations and international security experts, CAAP conducts action-oriented field research and convenes multi-stakeholder dialogues to provide advisory support and practical tools to address the uncontrolled spread and misuse of weapons. The programme’s research is structured around two core pillars and an exploratory research cell, alongside an ‘on-demand’ facility that offers advice, support and capacity-building to effectively tackle proliferation, prevent armed conflict and reduce armed violence. The programme structure is:

• Research pillar 1: Strengthening weapons and ammunition management
• Research pillar 2: Preventing armed conflict and armed violence
• Exploratory research cell: Addressing glocal development and security challenges
• Advice, support and capacity-building facility

The selected candidate will primarily support the work of research pillar 1 on strengthening weapons and ammunition management and related activities in the advice, support and capacity-building facility.

More information on CAAP’s research and activities can be found on the CAAP page.

The Graduate Professional will receive a monthly stipend to contribute to living expenses.

Responsibilities

Within CAAP, the Graduate Professional shall perform the following duties under the supervision of the Head of Programme:

• Background research and analysis
• Providing administrative support to the programme, including assisting in the planning and implementation of programme activities (e.g. meetings, workshops, conferences, field missions, etc.) and in record-keeping and monitoring
• Communicating with project partners
• Performing other tasks, as required

Key skills/interests

• Project management and implementation
• Research and presentation
• Ability to synthesize information into concise, high-quality written briefs
• Organization and coordination of multiple tasks
• Interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills (written and oral)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Experience in data collection and analysis, and knowledge of relevant software and tools will be considered an asset
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in conventional arms control
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, including openness to differing opinions and beliefs
• Interest in international peace and security, disarmament and/or the work of the UN, with a commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter

Competencies

Graduate Professionals are to demonstrate the core values of the UN: Professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

In addition, in this role, the Graduate Professional will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Communication: Identifies the information needs of target audiences and tailors communication accordingly, drafts clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals.
• Planning and organization: Uses time efficiently, foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning, monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary to ensure tasks are completed.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services, offers new and different options to solve problems, takes an interest in new ideas and ways of doing things and is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to understand and reflect the clients’ points of view in their work.

Qualifications and experience

Education

To qualify for the UNIDIR GPP, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); or
• have graduated with a university degree (first or second university degree or equivalent) and, if selected, must commence the GPP within a one-year period of graduation.

At UNIDIR, preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the CAAP’s specific current needs, for instance in the fields of social or behavioral sciences (such as political sciences, international affairs, security studies peace and conflict studies) or international law.

Work experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience, however demonstrated experience and/or interest in conventional arms control will be considered an asset.

Languages

• For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required
• Knowledge of at least one other official UN language is desirable

Screening questions

• GPP candidates must be enrolled in a graduate programme or must commence the GPP programme within a one-year period of graduation. Please explain how you meet this criterion.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this position. Please explain how you meet this criterion.
• Explain your skills in standard software applications, including Microsoft Office tools and InDesign.
• Explain your ability to organize and coordinate multiple tasks.

How to apply

Please send us a cover letter, your CV and brief responses (up to 30 words for each response) to the above-mentioned screening questions in PDF format titled as SURNAME_Name_CV-CL to E-Mail schreiben with ‘UNIDIR CAAP-GPP Application’ in the subject line. The deadline for submission of applications is 30 April 2025. The job opening will be removed at 11:59 p.m (Geneva time) on the deadline date.

Please note that incomplete applications and applications generated with artificial intelligence will not be processed.

Please note

Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you move forward in the process, you may be contacted for further assessment.

*Applicants for the GPP must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the GPP and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the Graduate Professional’s commencement. The UN accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the Graduate Professional or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during the GPP.

UNIDIR promotes the core values of the UN: Integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

¹Successful candidates who already receive a stipend from another source, such as an educational institution, will have their stipend topped up to this amount.