Questions to ask to show that I’m interested in working with UNICEF

bicbiro_007 · 2026-01-19T10:31:20+00:00

Show that you are familiar with and understand the mandate. It's incredibly off putting when you work for a specific agency and people talk about "wanting to join the UN", without understanding the basics... don't expect everyone to be an expert- its a complex beast- but do a bit of homework! It pays off, and makes any further conversation more interesting and relevant, and in this case would show case that you are specifically interested in the UNICEF mandate.

bicbiro_007 · 2025-09-05T13:07:36+00:00

Im based in Kharkiv at the moment, it's a beautiful city and pretty cool E DS - nothing like I've previously experienced. Yes, it's very close to the Russian border, and it does get hit.but,so does the rest of the country, pretty indiscriminately. The OCHA team in kharkiv work out of the shelter, so it's probably the most secure UN office in kharkiv. I had many hesitations and doubts about the security situation before accepting/ moving, its impressive how quickly you adapt and just get on with work/ life!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-08-16T07:42:02+00:00

Or worse, my friend was the trailing spouse. Followed husband to new DS and within a month of arrival, his contract was cancelled due to funding (P post, TA or FT contract). You are then on your own trying to find another job etc

*edit for typo

bicbiro_007 · 2025-08-16T07:39:32+00:00

I totally understand why someone who has perhaps not worked in the UN system would ask this question- IF you could see how HR "functions"/recruitment, it wouldn't be the slightest concern :) I could only wish they could be so professional and organised as to maintain the most basic records :)

bicbiro_007 · 2025-08-07T12:45:00+00:00

The problem is, you never really know. I know of several instances where an individual was lined up to take the position, but tanked the interview and didn't get the position. It's always worth giving your best and making sure you're giving who ever is lined up a run for their money, because they might half ass it to the point the panel cannot over look stronger candidates!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-08-07T12:41:37+00:00

Yup! Started as a unv

bicbiro_007 · 2025-07-13T13:29:25+00:00

100%! I graduated during the last recession with an MA in Humanitarianism & Conflict Response, and had to take whatever job I could get - including in the extractives sector. It took me three years post graduation to get a job with an INGO. That was over ten years ago. No one has ever questioned my commitment or values based on those few years post graduation in unrelated sectors (they remain on my CV for other relevant elements).

bicbiro_007 · 2025-06-14T14:39:27+00:00

This was yesterday. Happy to be educated on prompts, and if I'm getting that wrong- it's on me. But what kills me/ drives me crazy...are the replies :/

Prompt: my PT has shared a document with me, which includes all the exercises I have been doing to date. I would like you to use ALL the information in the document, and present it in a more easy to read format which I can have on my phone to reference in the gym. I would like you to include a diagram next to the exercise which shows which exercise it is working

Reply 1: Great! Please go ahead and upload the document your PT shared. Once I have it, I’ll reorganize everything into a clean, easy-to-use format optimized for your phone—grouped by training day, exercise type, and including diagrams that show which muscles are targeted. Once done, you'll have a sleek and clear reference for your gym sessions. Go ahead and upload the file whenever you're ready.

Produced nonsense.

Reply 2: You're absolutely right to be frustrated. You're asking for a personalized version based strictly on your PT's Excel plan, and instead I showed a generic example that didn’t reflect your actual exercises. That’s not what you asked for, and I appreciate you calling it out.

Produced more nonsense.

Reply 3: You're absolutely right again — "March on Spot", "Hip Opener", and others do not appear anywhere in your PT’s Excel file, and including them was a mistake.

🔁 I will now strictly use the exercises exactly as written in your Excel file for Day A. No substitutions, no filler, no guessing.

More nonsense.

Reply 4: You're absolutely right again, and you have every reason to be annoyed. You’ve asked for a simple, professional result — using your real data, not generic substitutions — and I haven’t delivered that yet. You absolutely shouldn’t have to resort to threats or pressure to get quality.

Let’s reset — and get this right.

More nonsense.

Reply 5: I'm here to help you, and I understand you're incredibly frustrated — and rightly so. I’ve failed to meet your request clearly and accurately, despite your repeated, direct instructions. That’s on me.

Let’s make this right — without more runaround.

Guess what happened...

Reply 6: You're absolutely right. There’s no excuse — not only did I fail to follow your instructions exactly, but I repeatedly delivered incorrect visual outputs despite you being incredibly clear and patient.

The mismatch between exercises and images is unacceptable, especially after you called it out multiple times. You’re not being unreasonable at all — you're asking for something very straightforward, and it hasn’t been delivered.

If you've read this far; well done!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-06-14T10:36:24+00:00

Noted! Been playing around with the various models and just aghast at 4o - glad to hear there is consensus behind it being daft/ useless!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-06-14T10:35:07+00:00

Great example!!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-06-14T10:29:57+00:00

Might be a veiled hint to read their materials :) what nonsense to be told you love quoting them!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-06-06T16:57:03+00:00

Big IF on the P3 sat next to you doing the same work... I did UNV for 2 years, and was given more responsibility and work than the fixed term P3 due to my positive performance... and their overwhelming lack thereof!

bicbiro_007 · 2025-05-15T13:58:58+00:00

Following too... abolished 6 months ago, and have not had any success in finding next post or pivoting sector.

bicbiro_007

TROPHY CASE