Program Assistants position is available at the Quaker United Nations Office, New York. Two openings are there at New York office.

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. It works 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 is set up as a partnership between AFSC and the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), acting together as trustees of the Quaker witness and the Quaker presence at the United Nations in New York.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the Administrative functioning of the office, including phone answering, mail opening and distribution, email distribution, greeting of visitors
• Attend and participate in all QUNO staff-related meetings where appropriate.
• Specialize in one or several of QUNO’s priority issues within the areas of peacebuilding and the prevention of violent conflict, and help provide coverage of the work of the UN inter-governmental bodies and the Secretariat.
• Attend relevant UN meetings to promote and communicate Quaker perspectives and concerns regarding matters before the UN.
• Maintain contacts with appropriate individuals in the UN community regarding issues and support them in areas where their aims correspond to Quaker concerns.
• Help interpret QUNO activities and concerns to Friends, AFSC and other groups
• Participate in the planning of the QUNO Committee Meetings.
• Assist the staff in the recruitment and selection of future Program Assistants.

Salary and Benefits

$25,602 before taxes. Comprehensive medical, dental and hospitalization plan, plus paid leave.

Qualifications and Requirements

• University degree or equivalent in experience.
• Experience with analysis and interpretation of international social, economic, political developments.
• Knowledge of and experience with Friends’ meetings and/or organizations very helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing; other languages useful esp. Spanish and/or French.
• Ability to carry out assignments independently, but remain in close consultation with supervisor and colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of differing backgrounds and ideologies, especially those of the third world. Facility in meeting people and conversing easily; sensitivity to cultural, religious, gender and class differences among people.
• Ability to respond to the rapidly changing situations in the UN community and resultant shifting emphasis in Quaker UN programs.
• Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and communications software.
• Availability to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings, and to travel very occasionally.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies.