Want a career in multilateral diplomacy, but stuck?
Is a mid-career entry to multilateral diplomacy impossible?
7 ways you can make it possible: It’s not the easiest time to find the diplomacy job you want. Cuts, reforms, AI. Competition is intense.
The best-known entry routes are for graduates. But there are also ways for outsiders with expertise.
7 paths (with examples):
1️⃣ Consultancy rosters & expert panels
Many UN agencies maintain pre-vetted pools in fields like governance, public health, emergency response.
Examples: UNDP & UNICEF run calls where mid-career experts can be approved, then tapped for short-term assignments without fresh recruitment.
The UNSC establishes Panels of Experts for short-term consultancies requiring thematic or regional knowledge.
2️⃣ Standby & surge mechanisms
NGOs & governments maintain standby rosters to deploy external experts to UN agencies’ field operations in emergencies. Examples: NORCAP/NRC, RedR.
You’d work as part of the UN team, building connections & track record. Then parlay multiple surge deployments into a longer-term UN contract.
3️⃣ Secondments for civil servants
Examples: NATO employs experts on cybersecurity & defence planning. The OSCE uses secondees for field missions. UN Peacekeeping employs military officers & police on loan.
Bilateral diplomats find “Special Assistant” roles that build multilateral credentials. Information and links for mid-career paths to bilateral diplomacy: see previous posts.
4️⃣ Adjunct fellowships & academic links
Some multilateral bodies create fellowships for outsiders. Examples: the OECD runs occasional Visiting Fellows programmes in its research units. The UN University & research institutes such as UNIDIR & UNRISD offer project fellowships for academics & think-tank employees.
Nationality-specific Initiatives like the Fulbright Schuman programme or Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship place officials or academics into organisations such as the EU or World Bank.
5️⃣ UN Volunteers:
Beyond entry-level youth, UNV places seasoned professionals on volunteer contracts to fill gaps in UN missions. In 2024, over 14,600 UN Volunteers served across 60+ UN entities, including a growing number of specialists with years of experience.
Today there are 116 open requests in 46 countries:
6️⃣ Open vacancies with UN & UN agencies
Register here and look for consultancy roles:
7️⃣ Ad hoc multilateral job opportunities
Advertised on reputable job boards (& LinkedIn accounts):
*️⃣ Register for my coming diplomacy Gazette: careers & jobs, insider knowledge, personal insights, exclusive tips.
To know when it launches, join the waitlist now:
Feel free to save & repost for your network.
Comments
Post a Comment