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Job Opening For HSM Negotiator/Expert

Job Description and Notice

Negotiator/Expert for 
Social, Development and Human Rights Issues
Starting January 2021

Job Summary

A negotiator/expert is a staff member of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the U.N. and works together with the Permanent Observer and the diplomatic staff of the Holy See. The negotiator/expert attends meetings at the U.N. related to his or her portfolio of issues, writes reports on those meetings, participates in negotiations on relevant resolutions and outcome documents, drafts and edits statements, and participates in the overall mission of the Holy See to the U.N. Under the supervision of the Permanent Observer, the person reports to the diplomat in charge of covering the Second, Third and Sixth Committees of the General Assembly as well as the Economic and Social Council. 

Essential Duties

  • Serves with the title of Attaché of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See at the United Nations in New York. 
  • Follows instructions with exactitude and performs all other duties requested by the supervisors. 
  • Represents the Holy See as a bridge builder and a moral voice, with dignity, professionalism and tact. 
  • Attends meetings at the United Nations relevant to areas of competence, particularly human rights, social and development issues. 
  • Develops and shares expertise on human rights, social and development issues with the Mission team.
  • Composes drafts, reviews and edits statements on various issues of competence. 
  • Participates in negotiations. 
  • Develops close working relationships and liaisons with other Permanent Missions and UN Agencies at the expert level, particularly in the person’s area of competence.
  • Writes and edits reports and briefings on meetings. 
  • Collaborates with the Mission’s diplomatic and non-diplomatic staff, experts, fellows and interns. 
  • Attends Prayer and a briefing at the beginning of each day

Education and Experience

  • Educational Background —The person must minimally have a Bachelor’s Degree, but a Masters or a Doctorate is highly preferred. Specialized studies or degrees in human rights, in economic, environmental and development issues, in international law, international relations, or diplomacy, are preferred. 
  • Experience — Experience in international organizations, multilateral or bilateral diplomacy, including the diplomatic work of the Holy See, is preferred. Internal training will be provided. 
  • Catholic Social Teaching— The person must have a deep and precise knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching and its relevance and application to current issues.
  • Languages— Written and spoken fluency in English is required. Fluency in Italian is helpful. Knowledge of one or more of the other official languages of the United Nations — Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic and Mandarin — is preferred. 
  • Other Skills — Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required. Due to the amount of writing done in the office, superior typing skills and speed are preferred. 

Key Competencies Needed

  • Know, believe and live according to the teachings of the Catholic Church, be able to articulate them with conviction in a secular context. 
  • Write and speak clearly and persuasively. 
  • Analyze and understand complex issues. 
  • Form amicable and high-level working relationships easily.
  • Solve problems and find common ground.
  • Negotiate patiently, prudently and perseveringly. 
  • Work effectively on a team. 
  • Keep deadlines.
  • Be willing to keep long hours within reason and when necessary. 
  • Able to maintain confidentiality.
  • Be able to travel back and forth to the United Nations Headquarters from the Mission one or more times a day. 

Hours

  • The typical workweek at the UN is Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, with a lunch break. 
  • During heavy negotiation periods, negotiations may sometimes last into the evenings and may require some work on the weekend. 

Salary And Benefits

  • Range of starting salary of $26,000 to $32,500 depending upon experience. Consistent with the hiring practices of the Holy See, the person begins with a twelve-month probationary period.
  • A simple apartment at the John Paul II House on E. 38th Street ($24,000 value per year) and free health care ($19,500 value per year). 
  • Lunch is provided on workdays at the Mission. 
  • Thirty days of vacation during a year at times agreed in coordination with the Head of Mission. 

Application Process

  • Please send the following documents to Fr. Roger Landry  by November 13, 2020 at noon. 
    • Succinct cover letter and Curriculum Vitae.  
    • Letter of recommendation from a professional supervisor, academic advisor or both. 
    • Letter of recommendation from a priest who can attest that you are a Catholic in good standing and, if possible, to attest to your knowledge of Catholic social teaching. 
  • These materials should be submitted together by PDF. The Letters of Recommendation must be signed and on official letterhead. 
  • On November 13, candidates for the position will receive two documents, which will be due by November 19 at noon:
    • A brief written interview so that we can get to know the candidates better. 
    • An exercise that will give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate various of the skill sets needed for the position. 
  • Interviews with finalists for the position will take place probably November 23-24 in person or via Zoom/Skype. The finalists may have an additional interview with Archbishop Caccia.