1. Fiona Bourdin-Farrell
UN Women
Fiona Bourdin-Farrell
Director, HR

2. What will I cover? What is UN Women?
Why should you consider UN Women as a career choice?
What skills are we looking for?

3. What is UN Women?
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. UN Women was established in July to be the global advocate for women’s rights and to accelerate progress on achieving gender equality.

4. Our vision
The UN Women vision is a world in which societies are free of gender-based discrimination, where women and men have equal opportunities, where the comprehensive economic and social development of women and girls is ensured so that they can lead the changes that they want to see, where gender equality and women’s empowerment are achieved and where women’s rights are upheld in all efforts made towards further development, human rights, peace and security.
Our Vision
A world in which societies are free of gender-based discrimination, where women and men have equal opportunities...

5. Global data

6. In what priority areas does UN Women work?
Increasing women’s leadership & participation
Enhancing women’s economic empowerment
Ending violence against women
Engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes
Making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting
Strengthening global norms and standards

7. Workforce Distribution
Over 2000 employees
144 nationalities
74% female, 26% male
Average age is 42
80% of senior staff (P5 & above) are female. They come from 53 different countries
UN Women is present in 93 countries

8. Finnish nationals in UN Women
14 Finns
5 of them are JPOs
All of them are women
5 in HQ, 9 in the field

9. Global UN Women campaigns: HeForShe
Launched on March 8, UN Women's Solidarity Movement HeForShe has to date been signed by 306,256 men all around the world
In Finland 2095 men have joined the movement
The ambitious aim is to bring together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all
These men are Finnish: Musta Barbaari (a rapper), Mikael Gabriel ( a rapper too), Erkki Tuomioja (politician)

10. What type of profiles are we hiring?
Vacancies
Consultant assignments
Management:
Regional Centre Directors
Country Representatives
Deputy Country Representatives
Operations Managers
Cluster Leaders
Resource Mobilization
Specialist in priority areas:
Violence Against Women
Peace and Security
Leadership and Participation
Economic Empowerment
National Planning and Budgeting
Intergovernmental/Interagency processes and coordination
Operations:
Communication
Finance/Budget
Procurement
Human Resources
ICT
Facilities & Administration
Here you might also elaborate a little on P-levels. Often if a Finn has for example 8 years of experience they will only be applying for P4-level because they think that is the only correct level.

11. What’s it like to work for
UN Women?

12. What’s my story?

13. Kiitos! http://www.unwomen.org/ https://www.facebook.com/unwomen

14. The typical UN Recruitment Process
APPLICATION
Personal History Form (P11)
Motivational Paragraph
ASSESSMENT
Technical Test
Interview(s)
Reference Checks
REVIEW & APPROVAL
Compliance Review
Management Approvals

15. It all starts with an application!
We received 1158 applications for senior leadership positions in 2014
- only 8 were from Finnish nationals.

16. The magic 6 for a successful application
Passion for the organization’s mission
A relevant educational background with relevant experience
Languages
Mobility and/or understanding of the international/multicultural world
Proven ability as a problem-solver
Courage to make a difference

17. In reviewing a vacancy:
→ DO YOU MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA?
→ DO YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE?
→ DOES YOUR APPLICATION REALLY SHOWCASE YOUR CAPABILITIES IN RELATION TO THE POSITION & ITS LOCATION?
REMEMBER, YOU ARE COMPETING WITH SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD. DON’T BE SHY!
Here you might also elaborate a little on P-levels. Often if a Finn has say 8 years of experience they will only be applying for P4-level because they think that is the correct one.

18. Application PERSONAL HISTORY FORM (P11) Description of Duties
Duties - What you did in your job
Describe your responsibilities with careful attention to the vacancy for which you are applying
Summary of Achievements
Achievements/Impact
Provide specific examples
Help us understand what is great about you!
Description of Duties
Highlight your job responsibilities.
Describe your duties with careful attention to the vacancy for which you are applying.
Use action verbs;
Current job in present tense
All others in past tense.
Summary of Achievements
Provide specific examples where you made an impact in the positions for your employers.
Be specific in describing the impact/ contributions you have made.

19. Application MOTIVATIONAL PARAGRAPH (max. 1000 characters)
Make it easy for the recruiter to pre-select you
Always tailor your paragraph to speak to the position
Make your words count
Link to your experience - back up your statements
Use the terms used in job description if relevant
Show your true motivation
Don’t focus on your weaknesses
You shouldn’t state any experience that is not recorded in your P-11
Describe how your knowledge, skills, experience, and qualifications match the specific position – argue why you are a good match

20. I travelled to Africa with my boss.
Applicant:
I travelled to Africa with my boss.
Was travelling really for your biggest accomplishment?
Applicant:
I haven’t ever been outside Finland
Could this person cope with other cultures?
These are real-life examples from actual application. The first bubble is something a candidate wrote, to the right from it is what the recruiter might be thinking.
Example 1. The person actually provided all the substantial knowledge, talking points and background information for the Minister during his visit in various key partner countries.
Example 2. The candidate actually has a solid experience in women’s issues. Kvinna till Kvinna means Women to Women in Swedish.

21. I am very interested in working for UN Women and I have all the competencies required for this position.
Although I don’t speak any Chinese, I speak English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
I have good social skills and I get along with different people. I am a fast learner and a flexible colleague. I would be very good at this job.
Example 1: Common statement from applicants
Example 2: Concentrate on what you can – don’t highlight what you can’t
Example 3: Also a common statement from applicants but it doesn’t show why the person is right for the job

22. If you are long-listed, there may be assessments.
TECHNICAL TESTS
Technical test is a test where you have the opportunity to demonstrate your substantive knowledge:
Written
Video
Create a related product
Focus on the clarity of your communication, demonstrate your technical knowledge and show your innovativeness.
Anecdote: In the month of April, Fiona participated in 10 panels. That was a total to 37 hours meaning one week of worktime (in a ‘normal’ office). So stand out from the other candidates by bringing your enthusiasm and knowledge forward in a well-prepared way!

23. Additional Tips
UN recruiters will first get to know you through your application/P11
Be truthful, accurate and specific
Make your words count
Write/edit in word processor
Proofread
Print application/P11 on screen or paper to check
Save your applications
Be concise.
Make your words count. Your use of language is extremely important; you need to project yourself efficiently. Address the job's needs with clearly written, powerful phrases. Provide small, digestible pieces of information. Use action verbs Avoid passive sentence constructions Avoid clichés
Make the most of your experience.
We need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for us. Don't be vague. Especially in your achievements section, focus on what you've accomplished and achieved, as opposed to what you do on a daily basis. Be honest. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it.
Target. Target. Target.
Be specific. If you are going after more than one job opening, customize your application accordingly. The system allows you to update it, so you can tailor your application for a specific position. The same applies to your cover letters – customize them for each application. Customizing the cover letter is the easiest way for you to demonstrate that you have clearly read and understood the job opening.

24. Where do I apply?

25. Kiitos! http://www.unwomen.org/ https://www.facebook.com/unwomen