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April 30, 2021

"The international community should
work toward digital access for all"

On April 27, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, delivered a statement during the UN General Assembly's High-Level Thematic Debate on Digital Cooperation and Connectivity, on the topic of whole-of-society approaches to end the digital divide, being held virtually. 

Archbishop Gallagher said that the COVID-19 pandemic had brought to the fore both the benefits people receive, and the challenges many people face, in digital connectivity. He highlighted how during the pandemic digital technology has helped with education, work, health care and even worship. At the same time, however, he noted that not everyone has access, with Least Developed Countries, rural areas, and poor people often being the most excluded. 

Warning against the "dark web" and the exploitation and human rights violations it enables, he called for the development of a framework of international standards to properly guide the use of digital technology, putting these technologies at the service of the "common good of humanity."

To read his remarks, please click here. To watch his message, please click here.

 

"The health of humanity
cannot be separated from that of the
environment in which we live"

On April 26, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement during the Sixteenth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, being held virtually. 

Archbishop Caccia focused on the critical importance of forests in sustaining fragile ecosystems, enhancing the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change. He expressed concern, however, for the "wanton disregard" for the impact of human activity on forests and the profound consequences this has for the poor and vulnerable. Reiterating the words of Pope Francis, he said, “the health of humanity cannot be separated from that of the environment in which we live."

Noting that the Amazon is the world's largest forest, he called for greater consultation with indigenous peoples and all those most impacted by the natural, economic, social, environmental, scientific, technical and governance issues concerning forests and forest degradation.

To read his statement, please click here

 

Job Opening for Office Manager

 

Job Description
Office Manager

 
Job Summary
The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York is seeking, for a full-time staff position, a dedicated, fast-learning, energetic, friendly and multi-tasking Catholic professional to serve long-term in the position of Office Manager. The Office Manager will undertake the following tasks, under the overall direction of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See:
 
Essential Duties

  • Provide general administrative support to the executive office of the Mission 
  • Organize and schedule meetings and appointments
  • Monitor the Mission’s main email account
  • Receive and make phone calls on behalf of the Mission. 
  • Assist with hospitality to visiting Ambassadors and other visitors
  • Coordinate office operations and procedures
  • Monitor and maintain office supplies inventory
  • Assist with the Mission’s official and electronic correspondence
  • Help maintain the calendar of the Permanent Observer and the Mission. 
  • Liaise with various United Nations offices and the U.S. Mission. 
  • Assist with the Mission’s protocol book and filing of documents. 
  • Prepare payroll and other checks to be signed in a timely fashion.
  • Manage the bookkeeping of the Mission on Quickbooks.

Education and Experience

  • A Bachelor’s Degree or greater is required.
  • Proven office management, administrative or assistant experience, with knowledge of standard clerical practices, is preferred. 
  • Experience working or volunteering in various institutions of, or inspired by, the Catholic Church is a plus. 
  • Written and spoken fluency in English, including mastery of English grammar and spelling, is required. Working knowledge of Italian or other romance languages is a plus.

Key Competencies Needed

  • Know and practice the Catholic faith and have familiarity with basic Catholic terminology.
  • Can build and maintain good working relationships with members of the staff, interns, experts, UN officials, Catholic Church officials and others. 
  • Be highly computer literate, competent to use or learn platforms and programs such as the Mail, Microsoft Suites, Adobe, Salesforce, Quickbooks, Mail Chimp, Safari, Google, etc. 
  • Have strong organizational and time management skills. 
  • Be able to keep good records. 
  • Write and speak clearly.
  • Have hands on experience with typical office machines (printers, fax machines, etc.)
  • Be able to maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Be able to thrive in a Catholic workplace environment.  

Availability

  • The typical workweek at the Mission and the Foundation is Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, with an hour for lunch, which is provided free-of-charge on the premises. 

Salary and Benefits

  • Starting salary of $32,500. Consistent with the hiring practices of the Holy See, the person begins with a twelve-month probationary period. A studio apartment at the John Paul II House on E. 38th Street and health insurance, including vision and dental, can also be provided. Should the housing and/or the insurance not be needed, then the salary would be adjusted accordingly. 
  • Lunch is provided on workdays.
  • 30 working days of vacation at a time coordinated with the Head of Mission.

Application

  • Those interested in applying must send a Cover Letter (no more than two pages) and resumé by May 7, 2021 at noon (NY time) to job@holyseemission.org
  • The application process is foreseen to be brisk, with reviews of applications completed by May 14, 2021 and first round interviews taking place the week of May 17, either in person for those in the New York area or via Zoom. 
  • In the submissions, in addition to describing one’s background and reasons for the interest in the position, candidates are also asked to include basics as to citizenship, date of birth, marital status, competency in languages, when one would be able to start, the parish one attends, as well as the full contact information (including a working email address) for employment references as well as to one or more priests who can testify to the candidate’s practice of the faith. 
 

The International Community 
and Nuclear Disarmament

WORKING TOWARD A NUCLEAR FREE WORLD: On April 23, the Mission welcomed Véronique Christory (center, seated in red), Senior Arms Control Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross, for a presentation to interns and available staff on her decades of work in the area of nuclear disarmament. She contextualized her presentation on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which will be having its review conference in August, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which went into effect in January. 

 

Path to Peace Gala, 2021

SAVE THE DATE: The annual Path to Peace Gala will be held at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on November 16th, 2021, from 6-10 pm. The honoree will be His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.