United States of America: Fellow, Quaker United Nations Office

Status: Full-Time, Specific Term (One year term)

Region/Unit: Quaker United Nations Office

Application Deadline: July 18th, 2017

Quaker United Nations Office – New York (QUNO)

“QUNO’s mission is to help the United Nations fully carry out its responsibility to prevent violent conflict and build sustainable peace around the world. We work with diplomats, UN officials and civil society groups to change the way the UN community thinks and acts at a policy level in New York, which then impacts the actions of the UN and others on the ground.” QUNO – New York Mission Statement

QUNO - New York is set up as a partnership between AFSC and the Friends Central Committee for Consultation (FWCC), acting together as trustees of the Quaker witness and the Quaker presence at the United Nations in New York. The Quaker UN Committee (QUNC) for New York is responsible for setting program priorities, recommending program plans and budgets to the AFSC Board of Directors, and monitoring and evaluating the work of QUNO-New York.

QUNO staff members facilitate dialogue among UN stakeholders, help bring new ideas and perspectives from the ground to the international policy agenda, offer expert input into UN processes and represent the insights and concerns of Friends in the UN context.

QUNO-New York has a collegial relationship with the Quaker United Nations Office – Geneva (QUNO-Geneva).

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The Fellow will work with QUNO senior staff to develop QUNO’s knowledge and programmatic capacities in the area of peacebuilding at the United Nations. In particular, the Fellow will lead on the development and completion of one or more focused peacebuilding projects that fit within QUNO’s program plan, and as agreed by QUNO senior staff. The fellow will undertake both research and programmatic work to contribute towards the successful completion of the peacebuilding projects. This will include, but will not be limited to, conducting extensive desk research on peacebuilding policy; developing and completing one or more outcome projects by the end of the fellowship; attending relevant UN meetings on peacebuilding issues; engaging with diplomats, members of the UN Secretariat and NGO representatives active on peacebuilding at the UN. S/he may from time to time also be required to assist in supporting the day to day operations of the office, including preparing for and participating in QUNO Committee meetings.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the Fellow include the following:

1. Under the supervision of and in collaboration with QUNO senior staff, lead on the development and implementation of one or more peacebuilding projects as identified in QUNO’s program plan. This may involve desk research as well as engagement with key stakeholders working on peacebuilding at the UN.
2. Explore new connections and relationships with actors working on peacebuilding.
3. Attend and report on relevant program-related meetings at the United Nations.
4. Develop, plan, and organize relevant program activities.
5. Attend meetings of and report to the Quaker UN Committee.

Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (eg. International relations; development; peace studies; etc.), Master’s degree (or relevant experience) preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of peacebuilding.
2. At least 1 year demonstrated experience working with the UN system.
3. Strong research, writing, and project development skills and experience, with a particular focus on peacebuilding, or other relevant fields.
4. Experience providing team leadership.
5. Knowledge of and experience with Friends’ meetings and/or organizations very helpful.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Ability to work in other official UN languages desirable.
7. Demonstrated ability to work with people of differing backgrounds and ideologies. Facility in meeting people and conversing easily; sensitivity to cultural, religious, gender and class differences among people.
8. Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and communications software.
9. Availability to attend evening and weekend meetings and occasional travel as needed.
10. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the Quaker UN Office and the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
11. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

Compensation: The salary will be $38,000, Non-Exempt. Compensation includes comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances; defined benefit pension plan plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation; and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The central office of the AFSC and some offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

QUNO New York is a smoke-free workplace.

To apply, please visit https://www.afsc.org/job-center and complete an online application.

For consideration, please attach the following to your application:

1. Cover letter (PDF)
2. American-style Resume (1 page, PDF)
3. Personal Statement (1 page, PDF): How would the Fellow position at QUNO support you in realizing your future plans and goals? Please refer to QUNO New York’s current Peacebuilding program in answering this question. Answers must not exceed 500 words.

References: (3) references, with contact information, are required. You are responsible for contacting people who will provide you with a reference and asking them to contact qunony@afsc.org directly with their materials. References must be received in advance of the application deadline