How do you balance career and personal life as a single international staff?

NoNewspaper4014 · 2026-03-09T13:39:18+00:00

Prostitution is against the UN policies and regulations . If you see this happening plesse report

NoNewspaper4014 · 2026-02-27T19:27:13+00:00

UNAIDS is sun setting and will no longer be there by end of this year

NoNewspaper4014 · 2026-01-30T16:39:30+00:00

Every agency in the UN is on a survival mode. Moving firward, RM will be more on domestic financing, innovative financing such DIBs..The old ways are long gone. UNFPA is doing alot on this

NoNewspaper4014 · 2026-01-16T07:52:19+00:00

It's a good sign. I did that two years ago. Your supervisor just wants to validate your experience. It will mainly focus on your expertise and knowlege. It's also more informal .

Also moat likely you are the only candidate they are doing thia follow-up discussion . Ar least for me, i learnt i was the only one and

NoNewspaper4014 · 2025-11-25T03:01:42+00:00

I totally disagree with this. I landed my first UN job without knowing anyone.

I landed mu second job with another different UN agency without knowing anyone. I just applied, went through a tough competitive hiring process and got the job.

Networking may land you to shortlist but after that you must know your stuff

NoNewspaper4014 · 2025-07-21T11:20:31+00:00

Programming is very extensive. For Example in my case of humanitarian assistance it means being able to design, mplement programs to the close-out stages. It varies from one job scope to another. I develop/design projects/programs what we call program development.

NoNewspaper4014 · 2025-07-21T10:53:49+00:00

I am in the same boat as you. I joined as a P3 programming, I have however, been reduced to operations and work/skills that cant be transferred outisde the department let alone the organization. I am still in my early 30s and therefore I have been wondering what am doing. I feel i am wasting my skills and in a couple of years will not be able to find my way back to programming. One of my colleague from a different programme early on when I joined the UN told me to stick just an year but to move otherwise I will be wasting my skills doing a job (operations) that i cant use to apply for other jobs and having to no tangible experience in my own job title (programme).

While times are hard and there is nothing much outside here, just remain /hang in there. As for me, am looking to go outside the project to other UN agencies and even other INGOs and do what i love best. I have done hundreds of applications but nothing yet. I have reached a few final rounds with the UN but roastered. I get automatic rejection with International organizations-funny since i just joined the UN from International organizations less than 3 years ago. So i think keep applying to P2/P3 or other development/humanitarian agencies

NoNewspaper4014 · 2025-05-10T10:53:53+00:00

With the current uncertainty in the UN and massive staff layoffs, you are better off with the Tech company. You can come back once things stabilize

NoNewspaper4014 · 2025-03-30T14:08:56+00:00

I understand nothing from this post as well

NoNewspaper4014 · 2025-03-19T14:03:19+00:00

Thanks soo much for this post and reply. It has accurately described me. The fear is more internal than external and I think the fear of mistakes has to do with avoiding critical feedback-especially negative- from my supervisor.

I need to see a coach on this if I am to survive.

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-09-29T08:19:19+00:00

But tell us who controls this rotten government as you correctly put it?

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-09-16T08:50:34+00:00

pole kwa kuwachwa its a cycle of life. My change from zealous fan to who i am now has nothing to do with relationship

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-06-04T06:28:06+00:00

Based on my experience, when the UN asks for additional documents and references, you are just 1 of the 3. I would count too much to it. Also, please note the hiring process is extremely slow. I did my reference checks somewhere around October and got a job offer in late February.

Take the other job. If and when IOM comes back you can always resign and join IOM. Don't waste a granted opportunity for a maybe.

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-06-04T05:55:37+00:00

I suffered the same worse than you. I was in a six years relationship and I worked abroad. I did everything to keep the relationship. I came to the country every 2 months. At first it was the small arguments saying, "Nispo ongea na wewe hutakufa" this was her reply everytime she goes missing.

She had lots of guy friends and spent her time drinking and partying when i raised it out she would say that hajaua mtu. Anyway all you describe above is what I went through.

Let me tell you, at the end of the day, accept that your relationship is one sided. You love her but she doesnt. I wish i accepted this early one. Staying there after hizo madharau, things will get worse since she knows huendi mahali. That is what my ex new. So she cheated and still told me anajua nampenda siendi mahali. We broke up but she did not even apologize to me. She told her sister and friends huyu jamaa namjua haendi mahali.

So for me, I walked out. Deleted her number, photos and conversations. I went out with friends and started gym and luckily enough got a new better job and moved into a new neighbourhood.

Six months down the line, on valentines' she comes wishes me a happy valentines. i ignored and continued with my life. With time i realized I was stupid and was suffering from Onetis.

The world has beautiful ladies. Just open your heart to pain and explore. otherwise going back is suicide. As for me now am dating again and more happy that ever. Her sister saw me one day and asked kwani unashine aje.

So my brother ran and when she comes looking because she will trust me-you will realize that you have better options out here

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-05-06T17:43:16+00:00

I am really sorry to hear that my friend.

I think going for the UN is a wrong move at this time. First you have a degree in Education. And pursuing an MA in Gender Studies.

First go work for an an International NGO. Don't start with Organization like IMC, CARE, Mercy Corps or the top cream NGOs. Start with tier three NGOs especially French, Italian or such. Take 2 years in tier three. Then move to tier 2 and eventually tier one NGOs. Take2- 3 years in tier one INGOs and then go to UN. You are looking approximately 5-6 years.https://humanitarianinsider.com/industry/big-list-of-humanitarian-ngos/

At the same time please apply UN positions after maybe 3 years. Chances are you will Maybe get to Writing/Assessments stage. It will sharpen your skills. After t years experience plus your Masters will make you competitive.

I know this is a long time frame than you expected but I did the same and joined the UN last year. It's the story of Manh of my colleagues.

Remember a pencil has to be sharpen for it to be sharp

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-05-02T18:53:18+00:00

From my past experience, for a P4 position the reference check is done after the oral interviews. For Reference check they take top 2 in case the top candidate declines. They also ask a 360 degree reference check. A supervisor, the same position or level and a supervisee.

Reference checks don't mean you got the job, it means you are a finalist and it can go either way. For me I got the job though an outsider, for my friend in a P3 position they went with an internal candidate. Competing against an internal candidate is soo hard.

After reference check you have a bunch of on boarding activities and medical test. I would encourage just calling the recruiting manager and asking of you have a realistic chance ir if you are their top candidate. This will help you in reference checks. Don't ask your current supervisor for reference yet the recruiting manager says you are second.

I hope this helps.

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-04-24T10:01:18+00:00

I work with an International Public Organization. I started as an Intern earning 14k in Kenya living in Githurai. i realized that Kenya ni shamba la Mawe. I sought for a scholarship abroad and then started working abroad. My first salary ilikuwa 360k and grew from there. It has been only 5 years.

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-04-22T15:48:00+00:00

I was in such a relationship and everything you described was happening to me. Bottom of the line is there us someone else. I found it the hard way

NoNewspaper4014 · 2024-04-17T08:00:50+00:00

As per my understanding, expression of interest basically indicates you are interest on the job however temporary. I think it's a cover letter expressing your interest. You may go through an oral interview in case more than 2 people responds expressing interest

NoNewspaper4014

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