About UNICEF: Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible for NETI?
The New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) is an entry point for external professionals interested in an international career with UNICEF. As part of UNICEF’s global talent management strategy to achieve its current and future goals, NETI focuses on attracting, selecting, developing and retaining new external talent from entry to mid-career levels to grow and to develop in the organisation. NETI participants will work actively in a multicultural environment within the development and humanitarian arenas, while contributing to delivering results for children.
NETI participants are given a one-year work appointment that starts with a one-week orientation and induction course at UNICEF New York Headquarters (NYHQ), followed by a two-month assignment in a NYHQ division based on each participant’s profile. Participants are then deployed globally to a duty station for the remaining 10-month period. Participants are reviewed throughout the year and are considered for regular positions with UNICEF on the basis of merit and performance.
External candidates from outside UNICEF as well as suitable UNICEF employees (staff and non-staff) who are formally considered external candidates as per their contract type – United Nations Volunteers (UNVs), Interns, Consultants, Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) and Temporary Appointments (TA) – are eligible for NETI. Please note that Junior Professional Officers are eligible to apply only after 15 months of participation in the JPO Programme.
Eligible candidates cannot be currently holding any fixed-term contract with UNICEF. Candidates from all nationalities are welcome to apply.
Programme requirements to be fulfilled by eligible applicants are:
• Have completed a masters degree (or advanced study equivalent) in a relevant field. A prospective applicant in his or her final year of study toward the masters degree is eligible to apply only if he or she will have completed all necessary requirements to receive the degree by the start date of the programme, which is expected to start in early 2010. Any number of years of relevant professional experience is not accepted in lieu of a masters degree.
• Have proficiency in English and proven working knowledge in at least one of the UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.
• Have the willingness and availability to be assigned to any UNICEF office around the world and to serve in emergency and hardship duty stations.
• Preferably possess three to six years of relevant experience including work in developing countries and in a multicultural environment.
2. When is the next recruitment period?
The next recruitment period is expected to begin in the Fall of 2009. Please continue to check our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_46145.html for the latest updates about the upcoming NETI Programme and the application process.
Applications are only accepted during the active recruitment period. Please note that we only accept applications using the NETI online application system and that no other forms of application submission (email, fax, mail, etc.) will be accepted.
3. How will participants be selected for NETI?
UNICEF will short-list candidates who match the organisation’s talent gaps, have a proven record of effective results and meet all requirements listed in the NETI profile. Short-listed candidates will then be assessed through a rigorous selection process that will include two phases:
• a preliminary remote assessment on the NETI competencies and if successful,
• a telephone interview with a UNICEF selection panel.
The final selection will be made in consultation with global offices and will match the organisation’s specific needs. All interviewees will be notified of the outcome of their selection process.
4. How many participants will be selected?
The NETI programme follows a rigorous selection process to ensure that the most qualified candidates are selected. It is expected that the next cohort of NETI participants will be comprised of 15-20 professionals.
5. In which functional areas will the selected candidates be placed?
NETI participants will develop their work within functional areas in relevant programming / management areas in UNICEF where there is a critical talent gap. Examples of these areas are:
• Adolescent Development
• Child Protection
• Communication for Development
• Communication / External Relations
• Education
• Emergency Programme
• Finance and Administration
• Gender Equality
• Health
• HIV/AIDS
• Human Resources
• Human Rights
• Information Communication Technology (ICT)
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• Multilateral Affairs (GMA)
• Nutrition
• Planning
• Public-sector Alliances & Resource Mobilization
• Social and Economic Policy
• Supply/Logistics
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
For specific information on the requirements for each area, please click on the “NETI competencies and Functional Areas of Need - Functional areas of need’ link on the left tool bar.
6. How long after the remote assessment centre process is complete will I hear from UNICEF?
It is estimated that communication only to short-listed candidates will be sent out in early 2010.
7. What is the required language proficiency?
As stated in the general requirements to apply, candidates must have proficiency in English and proven working knowledge one other UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.
Applicants will have an opportunity to state different language proficiencies when completing the NETI Programme online application. If short-listed, the candidate’s stated proficiency will be corroborated during an interview with a UNICEF selection panel.
Language proficiency will be considered during the duty station assignment process for successful participants. Language proficiency is key for global deployment and effective performance in the field.
8. To which countries will the selected NETI candidates be deployed?
UNICEF is the leading advocate for children’s rights, active in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees.
To learn about our global work by region including our goals, our programmes as well as our accomplishments in each of them, please visit our country information website at: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html
9. How will the duty station be determined?
UNICEF is the leading advocate for children’s rights, active in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees. To learn about our global work by region including our goals, our programmes as well as our accomplishments in each of them, please visit our country information website at: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html.
NETI seeks to address critical talent gaps to achieve the organisation’s current and future needs. UNICEF will review each successful candidate’s profile against global talent needs that require specific relevant work experience, educational background, language skills and competencies.
Language proficiency will be considered during the duty station assignment process. Language proficiency is key for global deployment and effective performance in the field.
Upon completion of the selection process, UNICEF will communicate to successful candidates the outcome of the selection process as well as the assigned duty station for the 10-month assignment as part of the NETI Programme.
10. What happens upon completion of the programme?
Merit and performance are the key features of the NETI Programme. A rigorous and continued assessment process takes place throughout the one year appointment. An initial 2-month assessment occurs upon completion of the assignment in NYHQ. A second assessment is conducted upon completion of 6 months in the assigned field duty station. The final corporate review process includes a comprehensive performance evaluation where a corporate review panel, comprised of Senior Management, reviews participants’ overall performance in the programme and determines their suitability for retention as regular staff or, where necessary, separation from the NETI programme.
11. Can I meet/interview with someone to discuss my application / CV / P11?
In order to guarantee equal treatment and objectivity for all candidates, the New and Emerging Talent Unit does not grant interviews and does not provide profile advice at any point during the application process.
If you would like more information about the requirements and competencies we seek in our candidates, you can review the Eligibility and Programme Requirements on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_46160.html.
12. If I apply and am not selected, can I reapply in the future?
If you have applied previously and were not selected, you are welcome to re-apply in the next recruitment period. Selection for NETI is related to critical talent gaps needed in the organisation to achieve its current and future goals. You can check your profile against the required NETI Eligibility and Programme Requirements at our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_46160.html.
13. When can I expect a decision?
Due to the high number of applications received in UNICEF, we will not be able to respond to each and every application. An acknowledgement will be sent ONLY to short-listed candidates by the end of 2009. The final selection will be made in the 1st quarter of 2010 in consultation with global offices and will be based on the organisation’s specific talent needs.
14. Do I qualify as an external candidate? (JPO, consultant, UNV, intern, temporary appointment)
The New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) is an entry point for external candidates interested in an international career with UNICEF.
External candidates from outside UNICEF as well as suitable UNICEF employees (staff and non-staff) that are formally considered external candidates as per their contract type -UNVs, Interns, Consultants, JPOs and Temporary Appointments- are eligible for NETI. Please note that Junior Professional Officers are eligible to apply only after 15 months of participation in the JPO Programme.
Eligible candidates cannot be currently holding any fixed-term contract with UNICEF. Candidates from all nationalities are welcome to apply.
15. Is there a specific age range to apply?
While there is no specific age range to apply to NETI, we are seeking entry to mid-career level professionals, preferably with three to six years of relevant experience including work in developing countries and in a multicultural environment. The purpose of NETI is to bridge critical talent gaps within the organisation to achieve its current and future needs. UNICEF will short-list candidates who match the organisation’s talent gaps, have a proven record of effective results and meet all NETI program eligibility requirements.
16. What is the professional level of the appointment?
The NETI appointment type is a fixed term contract for the duration of 1 year. The specific post level will be determined based on the participant’s educational background and years of relevant professional experience, in accordance with the International Civil Servants post classification system. As a general indication, P-2 level appointments require 2 to 4 years of professional experience and P-3 level appointments require at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
For information on the UN system of salaries, benefits and other related entitlements, please click on the following link:
http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
17. What is the salary and benefits?
The salary for each NETI participant is dependent on their educational background, relevant professional experience as well as specific allowances related to their assigned duty station. UNICEF seeks to provide equal opportunities to all candidates. Prospective candidates with families are welcome to apply. Selected candidates will benefit from UNICEF’s entitlements to family members as any other UNICEF staff member.
For information on the UN system of salaries, benefits and other related entitlements, please click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
18. Can my family come with me? Will they be extended full benefits?
UNICEF seeks to provide equal opportunities to all candidates. Prospective candidates with families are welcome to apply.
Selected candidates will benefit from UNICEF’s entitlements to family members as any other UNICEF staff member. For information on the UN system of salaries, benefits and other related entitlements, please click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
19. Problems with the online application?
If you are having problems with the online application, please send us an email to neti@unicef.org explaining in detail the error you have encountered. Common errors involve missing information, so please check your documents thoroughly.
Please note that we only accept applications submitted using the NETI online application system during the active application period. If your submission was timely and you received an automated response, please be ensured that we have your application and documents in our database.
20. Is there anyone the candidates can contact at UNICEF to answer specific questions?
Yes. You can email NETI at: neti@unicef.org. As a courtesy to our team, please make sure you have reviewed the Frequently Asked Questions section thoroughly before you contact us.
