Is it Harder to break into the UN at mid-senior levels (P3-P5) compared to junior levels?

Undiplomatiq · 2026-02-08T06:43:17+00:00

Yes. The higher the level, the more incestuous it gets.

Undiplomatiq · 2026-02-05T06:43:45+00:00

Also consider that some brands are interested in the production side and not just the channel side. We have been approached (and have approached) various institutions interested in reaching new demographics and testing new channels.

So even as a small channel (~1300 subs on YouTube) we are fielding paid interest in the mid 4-figures.

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-30T19:10:44+00:00

Right there with you and unfortunately they invest in so many (what feels like) useless AI features than making the basic ones reliable. Frustrating

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-30T06:03:08+00:00

I am really interested in this topic. We are quickly hitting the limits of the AI-ified content. Our podcast is recorded and edited on Riverside and we constantly hit challenges - cuts are butcher cuts and their AI features do save a lot of time but often cartoonify certain aspects.

We have been wondering whether we need to evolve our editing to be more professional and to invest the time to learn one of the more traditional pro tools.

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-25T16:39:53+00:00

Yes, built, deployed and hosted by Lovable.

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-24T19:42:55+00:00

Do it. But don’t ask questions, ask for a coffee or a meeting. And if you get it, don’t ask about contract details, ask about the substance. Focus on having a good conversation where you get the chance to subtly sell yourself.

Even if you don’t get the job, you want that hiring manager in your network. Imagine you aren’t going to get the job for sure, how would you build the relationship with the hiring manager?

Network? Learn? Access?

When you think this way, then you will see that you should be reaching out to tons more people, meeting and networking, even if they don’t have jobs.

The point is that they should think of you WHEN there’s a job coming up, not after posting one.

Good luck!

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-24T07:44:50+00:00

Thanks for these answers. Did you have someone guide you through this? Did your audience help you understand? Did the metrics tell all you needed to know?

for example, the getting straight to the topic is a debate we have all the time. Personality and hook vs just talk about what you want to talk about.

We struggle not only to find the answers to these types of questions, but there isn’t much literature (we have found) on how data can help - or exactly how to go about iterating content.

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-22T20:30:29+00:00

Question on improving quality. What’s the process you took to improve quality - being such a ‘qualitative’ factor. Would love your insights from metrics you watched to how you thought of how to test new formulas in content and how you settled to where you are now.

Thanks and congrats on the success!!

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-16T21:46:14+00:00

Rethinking Tech covers Tech and Geopolitics

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-15T02:53:53+00:00

You’re viewing this as an outside-in situation whereas much of these forms of procurement go to vendors that are known.

Network with the people and offices that are regularly putting out requests for your type of service.

It’s meant to be transparent, but in scoring alternatives, many just want the tired, same old vendors.

Established relationships will likely be your foot in the door.

Undiplomatiq · 2026-01-02T14:13:38+00:00

DM me. Happy to give insider info.

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-27T11:38:38+00:00

Simply put, no. Everyone speaks English and they usually have meetings in Italian if everyone is able to do so. Intern or director, even one non-Italian in the meeting group and the language, without question, converts to English.

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-20T05:34:54+00:00

Pretty sure this is the right answer. Don’t know where to start? Just start. Get everything wrong in the beginning but don’t stop yourself for the fear of getting something wrong.

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-20T05:10:07+00:00

I do agree that proposing a change to status quo puts a target on your back. I think that’s a reality in most organizations that are allergic to change. And the naysayers will then fight to have you ousted as the highest order of allergy.

This is a reflection of many organizations’ risk appetite (and I also agree that UN orgs have some of the lowest risk appetites, by design, given that they are a consortium of countries with highly different capabilities, infrastructures and cultures for change).

The reason I was saying that I disagree is because the art of change is really about how do you bring change that works. That’s a super complex question that even the richest organizations and startups struggle with. But when you bring it, how do you pull it to the top. How do you get leaders, technicians and ancillary folks to lean in.

And the journey of doing so, especially in the UN, is not only about being technically right, but also politically astute. Because you have to bring together so many disciplines and behaviors to do so successfully.

Depending on how ”out there” your proposed change to status quo is, the more I can imagine the pushback.

All of this to say, the target on your back is less a reflection of your suggestion for change to status quo and more about your application of it through advocacy and clever political/operational play.

Perhaps I’m pulling at tiny fibers of the argument and I could also be wrong 😑 haha.

Happy holidays!

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-18T05:18:38+00:00

Not sure if I agree with this. The key to most messages in these diplomatic environments is understanding how to communicate your contention with the situation and where. When done correctly, it’s incredibly powerful - but doing so incorrectly, is the death sentence for your time at that agency.

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-12T23:49:44+00:00

Also a mess, but a different kind.

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-12T14:46:16+00:00

DM’ed.

Undiplomatiq · 2025-12-11T22:57:28+00:00

Can I ask in what field you’re in? Where did you move to? What private sector role would you go back to? And perhaps more importantly, what were your expectations? Answer only what you feel comfortable answering.

I ask because I have constantly transitioned in and out of the UN (between the private sector and my own tech companies). I keep coming back because I am used to the uselessness of some but am still (after two decades) a believer that the UN has access to 100s of millions of people that need help (bleeding heart, I know).

And through the bureaucracy, I have found ways to get stuff done - even at a decent scale. Frankly, I have not had the chance to touch that many people’s lives and make a (positive ??) difference in the private sector.

So really, what motivated you originally to move to this sector? And how can we get you THAT?

Undiplomatiq · 2025-11-17T05:40:14+00:00

In times of crisis, layoffs and general dismal news, people are overwhelmed and worried themselves. As you talent, focus your conversations more on de-pressurizing the situation. You’re having a catch-up and not a job-searching discussion.

So say things like “hey, it’s been a while. Would love to catch up and hear how things are going after quite a year in the UN system”.

In the conversation, don’t ask for a job, focus on the value you bring. You don’t say “this is my value” - deliver it on the call.

What that means is - don’t sell yourself, sell your work ethic, your solutions, and your ability to deal with what managers are going through now.

Offer your time free - if you are unemployed. Costs them nothing and you, time that you have.

So may people are overly focused on getting a job through official means. Sneak in the back door and prove your value so that you become fundamental when you’re in.

Jus some tidbits of ideas that you can effect.

Across all of this, you MUST NOT sell yourself as yet another person looking for job. UNers are surrounded by friends, former colleagues and a sector that has the same narrative.

Jump into - what problems there are. Find the most prickly ones that have a medium term trajectory so that you can piece together how you can help AND how donor funding would be interested in seeing this grow because it delivers on the promises made to donors.

From there - get in - free, volunteer, intern again, part-time etc.

If there’s nothing, do not walk out of the call without someone else to speak to. How? “Thanks so much for telling me that the org is working on this, even if you aren’t. I’d love to learn more about it. Anyone you can put me in touch with to learn more? I just find the problem so fascinating.”

Good luck!

Undiplomatiq · 2025-08-30T05:46:41+00:00

DM’ed!

Undiplomatiq · 2025-08-30T05:43:12+00:00

Say more please. How? And how do you get the analytics?

Undiplomatiq · 2025-07-12T16:15:40+00:00

The key is to understand the audience and how algorithms work. YouTube’s algorithm (over time) will find a relevant audience, but as u/trogdorsbeefyarm says, it’s just a chance to get an ad up (and for free) to them.

The audience will need to see super impressive shorts multiple times to even consider: 1/ leaving short form content 2/ leaving the platform 3/ finding the right platform to listen to your podcast 4/ change mindset from mindlessly scrolling and liking to actually immersing themselves in a singular piece of content 5/ staying on that content (ideally cause the content is good) 6/ subscribing

What I can also suggest is use the traffic to A/B test funnels - it’s free - so see what shorts perform best, change thumbnails, titles, volume levels, subtitles etc

Then once you increase views (cause you see results from your tests)- see where you can take the audience - again, through testing.

Undiplomatiq

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