I recently tried to monitor the hits on this blog. Not surprisingly, there are those, like me who have sat the United Nations NCRE exams out there who scour the web looking for any clues, any information they can find on that may enlighten them on the latest happening.
I have come to learn that patience is the name of the game. People say its bureaucracy, others may mistakenly believe that the United Nations may have forgotten all about them. But lets face it; they may be slow in responding but they are well aware of everything. As the 2009 NCRE exams have concluded, I thought I might share more of my tips for those candidates still waiting on word from the United Nations.
After your exams, wait patiently
After your exams go get a nice cup of coffee, relax and refocus all your energy on whatever it is that you are currently doing. Be sure to regularly check the examination page on http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/ncrepage.htm to monitor the progress of the exams. The UN will almost always try to meet the deadlines it posts on this site and if it is not able to meet it, it will post an updated date. I do not know what factors force them to change dates, but changes are expected and your patience is important.
When convoked, be prepared
The successful candidates after the written exams are listed on the NCRE website and contacted at least a week later by email. In this email, the UN will send information you would need such as the date, time and venue of your interview. Included will be a file on UN Competencies, a very important document.
When convoked, do not attempt to will the UN into action by trying to contact them. It is always often met with silence. They will contact you and if you are like me, you will be assigned a very helpful contact who will assist you all the way until you arrive for your interview either in New York, Geneva or any location that they will interview you in. Sometimes, the interview may be conducted via video conference or phone; I am of the opinion that this option is often available to candidates with close proximity to a UN office and where the technology is available. I was initially convoked to Geneva but visa delays forced me to New York instead. Because my assigned contact was based in New York, I was glad to meet her in person, thank her for her hard work and she took me to the interview room.
The wait between when you are advised and when you leave can be long. I was advised of my convocation early in November of 2008 and was interviewed in January of 2009. Liaise closely with your UN contact on all issues regarding your travel. My authorization for travel and e-tickets were provided 3 days before I left for New York.
During the interview
As I have mentioned, be prepared to talk a lot about yourself. For me it was a bit of an unnerving experience because I personally find it very difficult to talk about myself. But study the UN competencies really well and try to think of real examples of where you may have applied some or all of the competencies. Stay positive, avoid flattery and be honest. Practical examples are important. At the end of my interview, we spent 15 minutes on questions about the United Nations. 4 open ended questions will be asked you may pass on only one without being penalized. I missed 2 of those 4 questions. I passed on the first, did not know the answer to the second but answered the last two questions really well.
Join the NCREFORUM
This is a yahoo group on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ncreforum, was formed in 2005 by candidates who were on the roster. The stories you read here will surely give hope; most of us are not alone. Aside from that those on this forum are quick to let others know when opportunities arise or take time to explain in great detail issues that affect candidates who have made it on the roster and are waiting for placement from the United Nations. I surely found some very inspiring stories on this forum. It’s membership is, however, only open to those who are currently on the roster. You will gain valuable insight interacting with its members who have been in this situation before.
But basically my message is, the wait can be long; quite long at times. So patience is the name of the game.
Is there anyone from UK wishing to take the Human Rights exam?
Also now Under Consideration. Legal affairs and from Boston and not sure how to prepare for this. I figure case law is the best bet, the charter is pretty general so I don’t see how memorizing it would help. Maybe impress the interview panel??
I managed to log on just now. Mine says “Under Consideration” as well. Not that it matters, because we all don’t know what it means… 😉
L,
you must have quite some experience if you applied for a P3 post? Impressive! I don’t think most of us have that. May I ask how you got started working in the field of international law? Just curious, because I find it quite hard.
Just for the record: I checked my status after I read your comments. Website is undergoing maintenance, can’t access my account.
L, I am curious to see how your P3 application progresses without having already taken the exam (you may have remembered by inquiry to Lynnold about this a while ago), so if you don’t mind, please keep us posted!
Hey all – like everyone else – have recently gone from “short list 052” to “under consideration” (legal affairs UK). I guess this is our first test in UN red tape :)! Hmmm good luck all!
I’ve been 052 short list since early August for Legal Affairs and am now “under consideration”. I didn’t know what anything meant back then and I still don’t know anything today 🙂
What else is interesting is that I applied for a P3 spot as well and the status for that has gone from blank (nothing there) to “under consideration” as well.
So, we’ll see…
Just checked , my status is “Under Consideration” too,now. Lets hope best.
Anyone applied for Web developer?
Hello everyone. I applied for Legal Affairs as an American candidate and currently have the “Under Consideration” status as well (was previously “052 shortlist”). Any other Legal Affairs American candidates posting on here? What about the previous posters for Legal Affairs (i.e. where are you from)? I am also trying to narrow down and develop a focused review, which is kind of difficult given the lack of information (and I am finishing up an LL.M. degree). I’ll be following this blog closely, thanks for the informative posts!
Anyone taking the Econ exam? How are you planning to prepare?
My status also suddenly changed to “under consideration”, and I have no idea what it means!
Same here for the status update.
Sorry Lynnold, we kinda hijacked your blog here, but as you state, there is NOTHING online to help us/guide us etc.
I am doing Admin btw…
mine says “under consideration” too…still dont know what it means..
Also “short list” to “under consideration” for Legal Affairs.
Mine too, it was 052 short list, and now it says “under consideration” … Oh how long more we have to wait!!!! December is already here 😐
I’m under consideration too… wonder if it’s a good thing. Cross fingers.
Hi Samet,
I’m studying for the statistics exam as well…
Hi, anyone who applied for demography from Turkey?
You are welcome OZD..
And I think this “under consideration” is the last process of the written examination for evaluating and approving the job applications.I have just checked my status column out a few minutes ago after reading this forum and mine was also become “under consideration”.I guess we will not wait so long time for getting informed and the convocation emails will be sent to the candidates whom are accepted for the written exam,soon.By the way,Lynnold,can you give us some information about United Nations Volunteer Programme?Actually,I have searched about that programme but I am wondering your opinions and advices about it?Thanking you in advance and Best Luck for all!!!!
Anyone participating statistics exam ?
Mine too! It says “under consideration.” I hope this is something positive. Best luck to you all!