Assessment Written Exercises for United Nations Jobs such
as :
Movment control officer assessment exercise
Security officer assessment exercise
Air operation officer assessment exercise
Logistics officer assessment exercise
Operation officer assessment exercise
Administrative Clerk assessment exercise
Engineering assessment exercise
Contracts Management Officer assessment exercise
Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer
FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER
Field Security Assistant assessment exercise
Field Security Radio
Obstetrician/Gynaecologist
POLITICAL AFFAIRS assessment exercise
Senior Geospatial Information
Senior Sustainable Development Officer
Senior Advisor assessment exercise
Teacher - Special Education
Budget Officer- Fixed Term
Deputy Chief Field Health Programme
FIELD SECURITY ASSISTANT
FIELD SECURITY ASSOCIATE
FINANCE AND BUDGET
TRAINING
Head of Supply and Logistics
Associate Project Officer
PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER
Senior Police Strategic Partnership Officer
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
Director, Administrative Law Division
INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSISTANT
SUPPLY ASSISTANT
Senior Administrative Assistant
assessment and
competency-based interview (CBI)
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) Analytical Thinking
Case Study / Scenario-Based
Questions
Landing a job at the United Nations is a highly competitive
process, and understanding the written assessment and competency-based
interview (CBI) stages is crucial. These stages are designed to objectively
evaluate if you possess the core competencies and values required to be a
successful UN staff member.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of both.
---
### Part 1: The Written Assessment
The written assessment is often used for professional (P- FS
level) and higher-level positions, as well as some General Service roles. It's
typically administered after your application has been shortlisted but before
the interview. Its purpose is to test your analytical, drafting, and conceptual
skills in a practical context.
#### **Common Formats:**
1. **Drafting
Exercise:** This is the most common format. You are given a set of documents
(e.g., reports, emails, meeting summaries, statistical data) and asked to
produce a specific output.
* **Examples:**
* "Draft a two-page briefing note for the
Under-Secretary-General on the situation in [Country X], outlining key
challenges and recommending three priority actions for our agency."
* "Based on the provided project
documents and evaluation report, write a concept note for a follow-up
project."
* "Prepare a summary of the key findings
from the attached data set for a non-technical audience."
2. **Case Study /
Scenario-Based Questions:** You are presented with a complex, realistic work
scenario and asked to propose a solution.
* **Examples:**
* "You are leading a team with members
from different cultural backgrounds who are in conflict. Describe the steps you
would take to resolve the situation and ensure project deliverables are
met."
* "A donor has suddenly cut funding for a
critical program. What is your immediate action plan and your longer-term
strategy?"
3. **Multiple-Choice
Questions (MCQs):** More common for specific fields like IT, Finance, or Human
Resources, or in entry-level exams. These test your technical knowledge and
understanding of UN rules, procedures, and standards.
#### **Key Competencies Tested in Written Assessments:**
* **Analytical
Thinking:** Can you digest complex information, identify key issues, and draw
logical conclusions?
* **Drafting
Skills:** Can you write clearly, concisely, and persuasively in the required
language (usually English or French)?
* **Planning and
Organizing:** Can you structure your response in a logical and coherent manner?
* **Knowledge of the
UN Context:** Do you understand the UN's mandate, the specific agency's work,
and the international context of the issue?
#### **How to Prepare:**
* **Practice Your
Drafting:** Get comfortable writing briefing notes, concept notes, and reports.
Learn the standard UN formats.
* **Stay Informed:**
Follow UN news, read reports from the agency you're applying to, and understand
their strategic priorities.
* **Time
Management:** These assessments are almost always timed. Practice writing under
pressure.
* **Read
Instructions Carefully:** Pay close attention to the word count, the target
audience (e.g., a senior official vs. the public), and the specific questions
you are asked to address.
---
### Part 2: The Competency-Based Interview (CBI)
The UN interview is almost exclusively competency-based. The
core principle is that past behavior is the best predictor of future
performance. Instead of asking "What would you do?", they ask
"Tell me about a time when you did...".
#### **The UN Core Competencies**
Your answers will be graded against the UN's core
competencies. You must familiarize yourself with these. The key ones are:
1. **Communication**
2. **Teamwork**
3. **Planning and
Organizing**
4. **Accountability**
5. **Client
Orientation**
6. **Creativity**
7. **Technological
Awareness**
8. **Commitment to
Continuous Learning**
*Additionally, for managerial roles:*
* **Leadership**
* **Empowering
Others**
* **Managing
Performance**
* **Building Trust**
*
**Judgement/Decision-making**
#### **The STAR Method: Your Best Friend**
To structure your answers effectively, you **must** use the
STAR method. This provides a clear and concise story.
* **S - Situation:**
Briefly describe the context and background. (e.g., "In my previous role
as a Project Coordinator at XYZ NGO, I was managing a community health
initiative in a remote region.")
* **T - Task:** What
was your specific goal or responsibility? (e.g., "My task was to ensure
the project was completed on time and within budget, despite facing significant
logistical challenges.")
* **A - Action:**
What specific actions **did you** take? This is the most critical part. Use
"I" statements. (e.g., "**I** initiated weekly coordination
meetings with local leaders. **I** developed a contingency plan for supply
chain delays. **I** negotiated with a new supplier to reduce costs.")
* **R - Result:**
What was the outcome? Quantify it whenever possible. (e.g., "As a
**result**, we delivered the project two weeks ahead of schedule and came in
10% under budget. The community adoption rate for the health program was
95%.")
#### **Sample CBI Questions (Mapped to Competencies):**
* **Teamwork:**
"Tell me about a time you had to work in a multicultural team. What
challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?"
* **Communication:**
"Describe a situation where you had to explain a complex technical issue
to a person with no technical background. How did you ensure they
understood?"
* **Planning &
Organizing:** "Give an example of a complex project you managed. How did
you prioritize your tasks and ensure everything was delivered on time?"
* **Creativity:**
"Tell me about a time you identified a new, more efficient way of doing
something to improve a process or outcome."
*
**Leadership/Managing Performance:** "Describe a time you had to
deal with an underperforming team member. What steps did you take?"
*
**Judgement/Decision-making:** "Tell me about a difficult ethical
decision you had to make at work. What was the situation and what was your
thought process?"
#### **How to Prepare for the CBI:**
1. **Deconstruct the
Job Opening:** Identify which 4-6 competencies are most critical for the role
from the job description.
2. **Prepare Your
Stories:** For each key competency, prepare 2-3 strong STAR stories from your
professional, academic, or volunteer experience.
3. **Practice
Aloud:** Rehearse your stories until they sound natural and confident, not
memorized.
4. **Be Honest and
Specific:** Don't exaggerate or make up stories. Interviewers can tell. Focus
on your specific actions.
5. **Research the UN
and the Specific Agency:** Be prepared to answer "Why do you want to work
for *this specific agency*?" and "How do you see yourself
contributing to our mandate?"
6. **Prepare Your Own
Questions:** Have 2-3 intelligent questions ready to ask them about the team,
the challenges, or the strategic direction. This shows genuine interest.
### Final Tips for the Entire Process
* **Values Matter:**
Weave the UN's values (Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity) into
your answers.
* **Language:** Be
professional and clear. Avoid jargon unless you explain it.
* **Follow-up:**
Always send a concise thank-you email within 24 hours, reiterating your
interest.
The UN selection process is rigorous but transparent. By
thoroughly preparing for both the written assessment and the competency-based
interview, you significantly increase your chances of success. Good luck
The United Nations system is vast, with a huge range of careers. They
can be broadly categorized into several job networks and families.
Here is a breakdown of the main types of jobs at the UN,
with brief descriptions.
### 1. Professional and Director Level Categories (P and D)
These are internationally recruited staff who hold
leadership, management, and expert roles. They are categorized by level (P-1 to
P-5, D-1 to D-2).
* **Political, Peace
and Security (P):** Works on conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping
operations, and political analysis.
* *Example Jobs:* Political Affairs Officer,
Civil Affairs Officer, Disarmament Officer.
* **Humanitarian
Affairs (P):** Provides life-saving assistance and protection to people
affected by emergencies and crises.
* *Example Jobs:* Humanitarian Affairs
Officer, Emergency Coordinator, Protection Officer.
* **Human Rights
(P):** Works to protect and promote human rights, monitor violations, and
support human rights institutions.
* *Example Jobs:* Human Rights Officer,
Gender-Based Violence Specialist.
* **Development
Cooperation (P):** Works on long-term sustainable development projects, such as
poverty reduction, health, education, and governance.
* *Example Jobs:* Programme Officer,
Development Coordination Officer, Sustainable Development Specialist.
* **Public
Information (P):** Manages the UN's external communication, including media
relations, public outreach, and content production.
* *Example Jobs:* Public Information Officer,
Spokesperson, Social Media Manager.
* **Management and
Administration (P):** Ensures the smooth operation of the UN, handling finance,
human resources, budgeting, and general administration.
* *Example Jobs:* Administrative Officer,
Finance & Budget Officer, Human Resources Officer.
* **Legal (P):**
Provides legal advice on international law, treaties, and the internal
functioning of the organization.
* *Example Jobs:* Legal Officer, International
Law Specialist.
* **Economics (P):**
Conducts economic research and analysis, and advises on economic policy and
development strategies.
* *Example Jobs:* Economic Affairs Officer,
Economist.
### 2. General Service and Related Categories (G)
These staff are typically locally recruited and provide
critical administrative and support services for the smooth functioning of UN
offices. They are the backbone of any UN office.
* **Administrative
Support (G):** Handles day-to-day office operations.
* *Example Jobs:* Executive Assistant,
Administrative Assistant, Finance Assistant, HR Assistant, Receptionist.
* **Language (G):**
Provides translation and interpretation services.
* *Example Jobs:* Translator, Interpreter,
Verbatim Reporter, Editor.
* **Information
Technology (G):** Manages the UN's IT infrastructure and systems.
* *Example Jobs:* IT Assistant, Systems
Administrator, Help Desk Technician.
* **Logistics &
Facilities (G):** Manages procurement, transportation, and maintenance of
facilities.
* *Example Jobs:* Logistics Assistant,
Procurement Assistant, Warehouse Manager.
### 3. Field Service Category (FS)
These staff are exclusively in peacekeeping operations and
special political missions. They work in challenging field locations.
* **Example Jobs:**
Field Security Officer, Logistics Officer, Civil Affairs Officer (in the
field), Military Observer, Police Officer.
### 4. Senior Appointments (USG and ASG)
These are the highest-ranking officials, appointed by the
Secretary-General or elected by member states.
*
**Under-Secretary-General (USG) & Assistant Secretary-General
(ASG):** Lead major departments (e.g., Department of Peace Operations), head UN
Funds and Programmes (like UNICEF or UNDP), or serve as Special Representatives
of the Secretary-General.
### 5. Other Key Employment Types
* **Consultants and
Individual Contractors:** Hired for a specific, short-term task or project
requiring specialized expertise. They are not UN staff members.
* **Interns:**
Provides a learning opportunity for students and recent graduates. Internships
are typically unpaid (though some organizations now offer stipends) and last
for 2-6 months.
* **United Nations
Volunteers (UNV):** Individuals who volunteer their skills to support UN peace
and development projects. They receive a living allowance.
### Key Agencies with Their Own Specialized Focus
Many jobs are within specific UN agencies, each with a
unique mandate:
* **UNICEF
(Children):** Jobs in child protection, education, health, and nutrition.
* **WHO (Health):**
Jobs for doctors, epidemiologists, public health experts.
* **WFP (Food
Aid):** Jobs in logistics, food security, and nutrition.
* **UNDP
(Development):** Jobs in democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis
prevention.
* **UNHCR
(Refugees):** Jobs in refugee protection, field operations, and resettlement.
* **UNESCO
(Education & Culture):** Jobs in education, science, culture, and
communication.
### How to Find and Apply
The main entry point for most professional (P) and general
service (G) roles is the **UN Careers Portal** (**careers.un.org**). For
specialized agencies, you should check their individual career pages (e.g.,
UNDP Jobs, UNHCR Careers).
The application process is highly competitive and often
involves a detailed application, written assessments, and competency-based interviews.
