The United Nations employs over 1,800 Americans in the U.S. and thousands of others in UN offices abroad. While it has been a priority of the U.S. Department of State to increase the number of Americans working at the UN, a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study found that while Americans are equitably represented in the Secretariat—the main offices of UN headquarters under the supervision of the Secretary-General—Americans are under-represented in some UN agencies.
Work for the UN: If you are an American and interested in working for the United Nations, visit the U.S. State Department website to view and/or apply for employment opportunities at the UN.
Americans hold several key leadership posts in the UN system:
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe. Pascoe was appointed in March 2007 by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after an almost 40-year career with the U.S. foreign service. The Department of Political Affairs plays a central role in the UN's worldwide efforts to prevent conflict, make peace, and rebuild after conflict. Read Bio
Photo: http://www.us-asean.org/Indonesia/pascoe.jpg
Executive Director Josette Sheeran, World Food Program (WFP). Sheeran was selected to manage WFP in November 2006 and will serve for a five-year term. She heads the world's largest humanitarian agency. Her top priorities are to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and to reduce hunger-related deaths. Read Bio
Photo: http://www.wfp.org/aboutwfp/img/how_run/sheeran_bio.jpg
Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning Robert Orr, UN Secretariat. Orr has served as Assistant Secretary-General since August 2004, and helped head the transition team for incoming Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Orr has consistently been intricately involved in implementing efforts to strengthen and reform the United Nations. Read Bio
Photo: http://www.globalmpa.net/images/Alumni/alum_RobertOrr.jpg |
