International Public Service (F-4)

Description

The international public service sector encompasses international organizations within the United Nations (UN) system; regional bodies, such as the European Union, Organization of American States and the African Union; and several major nonprofit organizations including the Red Cross and the Young Men’s or Young Women’s Christian Associations (YMCA & YWCA). To a large extent international public service focusses on the following: development issues, human rights, peace and security; and promoting cooperation between nations across the world. The task of international public employees often entails problem solving, transfer of processes and technologies, and their adaptation to new and differing contexts. Work environments, although arduous and challenging, undoubtedly provide opportunities for meaningful service, which can be rewarding and motivational.

There are more than 40,000 workers in the United Nations Secretariat (2014) alone, and over 10,000 workers in US based nonprofit organizations spread across the globe. Apart from training in the areas of specialization listed above, a clear advantage for the career aspirant is good communication skills, especially competences of both writing and speaking in more than one language.  The UN has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, with English and French being the most used. The organization must, therefore, commit a lot of resources toward the presentation of its commutations in all six of its official languages. Increases in the demand for organizational transparency ensures that this remains a priority.

The UN Secretariat located in New York City comprises several departments. These include: the Executive Office of the Secretary General; the departments of the General Assembly and Conference Management, Peacekeeping Operations, Public Information, Economic and Social Affairs; and the Office for Disarmament Affairs. Other organizations with offices in New York City include the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and UN Women. The website www.inspira.org provides information on UN employment opportunities and recruiting procedures. The World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) is another available resource for information on the scope for international public service. http://www.wango.org/resources.aspx?section=ngodir

Collection Items

Notitia Dignitatum
A photograph of an exerpt of the Notitia Digitatum, depicting various shield patterns of the Roman Empire.

The Notitia Dignitatumis an official register of all the offices (excluding municipal), which existed over the course of the Roman Empire. …

Civil Service of Imperial China
The origin of civil service can actually be traced back to Imperial China over 1000 years ago, where men who had memorized the classics were admitted to government administration by correctly answering written questions. This civil service…

United Nations Economic and Social Council- Committee of Experts on Public Administration
The Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) was established under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2001, and is responsible for supporting the work of ECOSOC concerning the promotion and development…

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything it does. Together with its partners, it works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most…

The US Fund for UNICEF
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work, and other efforts in support of the world's children, through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. The organization works with governments, civic leaders, celebrities,…

United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional…

UN Women
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s goals on gender…

World Bank
The World Bank is like a cooperative, made up of 188 member countries. These member countries, or shareholders, are represented by a Board of Governors, who are the ultimate policymakers at the World Bank. Generally, the governors are member…

World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO began when our Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day. We are now more than 7000 people from more than 150 countries working in 150 country offices, in 6 regional offices and at our…
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