Author |
Message |
Tom
Longley Moderator Username:
Tom
Post Number: 86 Registered: 08-2005
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Posted on Friday, December 09, 2005 - 04:37 pm:
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Hello there IPR-ers --
The 2005 thread was getting a little bit out of hand (at
nearly 500 posts long), not to mention rather exhausting to read!
I've noticed that the 2006 round has begun. New round, new
thread.
Anyone wishing to contribute a bottle of champagne
to break across the bow of this new thread as she sets sail, please
feel free. |
WOW Guest
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Posted on Friday, December 09, 2005 - 08:21 pm:
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Dear Old IPR members!
Welcome to our new home
WOW |
Tom
Longley Moderator Username:
Tom
Post Number: 89 Registered: 08-2005
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Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 06:45 pm:
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Two things:
1. What do you want to do with the
older thread? It's very long, contains all sorts of useful stuff and
is ranked above UNHCR on the
Google search for "UNHCR IPR". Is there
some way we can boil down what you found helpful about it, what
insights were gained into the IPR process -
perhaps a brief FAQ for those thinking to take the IPR?
2. One of the comments made in the old IPR thread
concerned the posting of off-topic or unhelpful messages. Our
moderators try to keep things broadly in line with the Posting
Guidelines, but if you come across something we've missed, leave us
a message on this thread:
http://forum.aidworkers.ork.uk/messages/30319/36695.html?1134239687
Thanks. |
Vugar Guest
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Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 07:40 am:
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My suggestion is to remove all the off-topic postings
from the old thread and leave the rest there. The forum proved to be
very useful, and I must admit I passed the test thanks to this forum
as well.
I would also suggest to delete all irrelevant
off-topic postings from the new thread too.
To the IPR-3 people:
guys, please visit this thread from now on and keep sharing with us
your experience and news. I discovered that some of the UNHCR circular
messages do not reach me, and later, after visiting this forum, I
find them in yahoo's BULK MAILS folder where they are placed
automatically by this yahoo. It is very dangerous, as I can miss
some updates or even real offers. Therefore, I would like to ask
everyone to drop a line here every time when any one of us receives
anything from UNHCR - let it
be either just an update or even a real offer. We would then know
that something is going on and maybe check directly with the IPR management
why some of us did not receive the same circular email.
Thanks Vugar |
Denise Guest
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Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 06:24 am:
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Most of the posts from the September Compendium and
Togolese Fast Track have been filled already; I got the info from a
friend working for UNHCR.
None of us have been contacted for interviews. I am
convinced now that the IPR is just a
mean for internal staff to get permanent positions, but external
persons included in the roster have almost no chance...
I
hope one or two persons can convince me of the contrary... |
Vugar Guest
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Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 07:01 am:
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We were told that we would hear from UNHCR about our
placement in January. Let's wait a bit. |
Be positive Guest
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Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 02:07 pm:
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IPR is the only
way for the externals to become internal. There is no other
recruitment means in UNHCR since
recently. And current internal staff cannot live forever. At some
point, they leave their jobs, die or get fired And the number of positions do not disappear along with
their departure. Pure math |
From Sept. Compendium
announcement Guest
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Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 08:29 pm:
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The successful candidate is expected to be assigned and
deployed within 2 months following appointment. Appointment is
initially for one year.
Candidates may expect to be
contacted in December 2005 / January 2006 in relation to the
filling of this post. Due to the large number of applications, we
are unfortunately not able to respond to all the queries from
candidates. We therefore inform you that as the Roster is only
used if the number of internal candidates is limited, DHRM will
only contact candidates who have been selected for a post.
We also wish to draw your attention to the fact that Roster
candidates who express interest in a post are expected to accept
an eventual offer of appointment following a decision of the
High Commissioner. Should you therefore refuse such an offer, it
is unlikely that you will be recommended for another
international post with UNHCR. |
Guest Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 05:50 am:
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The important sentence was "the Roster is only used if
the number of internal candidates is limited". In general the number
of internal candidates is not limited because of the high number of
JPOs, UNVs, national staff and others with short term contract.
To be positive: the internal staff very rarely live their
job or get fired. Sometimes they die...
The first one who
get an offer please post a message on this
forum... |
Long live UNHCR Staff Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 08:09 am:
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To Be Positive....
Hello friend, why do you want
us dead , or want us to quit the job
(unless for a better one). JPOs, UNVs and National Staff definitely
provide a pool of good candidates. However, if you ask them, you
will not find them very happy as well (especially UNVs). I even
wonder if there is any body happy at all!!!!
UNHCR does
recruit external candidates from IPR. I can
assure you this thing. Just keep the fingers cross, keep developing
your profile and keep applying to UNHCR and other
places as well....
happy new year and good
luck |
Guest
2006 Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 08:43 pm:
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I totally agree with Long live UNHCR Staff in
his/her advice of being positive, keep developing your profile and
keep applying to UNHCR and other
places. I am not in the roster and did not know about IPR till few
weeks ago but I applied for a senior position with UNHCR advertised
on the website (external application). I got an interview which I
think went well but I am still waiting to hear the final outcome (it
has been a little bit close to a month). The bottom line is work on
your profile and work on updating your CV with the skills and
experiences needed for these position and good luck to all of you. |
Rania Guest
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Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 01:26 pm:
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Hello every one and happy new year. I was wondering if
any one who actually passed the test last year got a job? I took the
test last year in Rome, didn't pass though and thinking of applying
this year. I just moved to Kuwait and have some free time in me hand
till I find a job, and still want to pass that exam (my personal
ego). But wondering if it worth it, I mean does anyone has any
positive feedback? Let me know.. have a great new year.. Cheers |
Citron Orange Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 03:04 pm:
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Dear WOW or Vugar,
In the last thread, one of you
(or maybe it was someone else ?) gave a web-link in which he had put
all the reading materials he has used for 2005 IPR. Would it be
possible for you to give it back to us ? It would be very helpful
for the newcomers in the 2006 IPR. Thank you
very much in advance. And I wish all those who took the last IPR to find a
job within the HCR sonner or later.
Citron Orange |
guest Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 01:21 am:
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Sooner is already impossible.... after 7 months. Maybe
later? Let's wait until the end of the month. I want to remind that
in the terms of the competition, it was stated that the candidates
should be ready to be deployed in july. I don't remember whether
they mention july 2005. Maybe they just meant july 2011?
I
think it's not worth it to wait 1 year to sign a 1 year contract,
don't you agree? |
- Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:49 am:
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Citron Orange, what is your email
address? |
loggie Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:51 am:
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Does anyone who is working for UNHCR know who
we are considered - external or internal candidates? I mean, those
who are on the roster.
Thanks |
Sabina
Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:18 am:
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Help! I am applying for the IPR. Question: I
have to add 3 references. does this mean that I only have to mention
their address or do I also have to attach 3 reference letters?
please respond quickly. deadline is on the
15th!!! |
camel rider Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 11:14 am:
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to sabina - the 3 references is about providing the
names/address/tel no. then, if ever one day you'll be considered for
a position they will contact the people u have provided as ref.
Maybe, one day....
To the positive guy: how does it come
that u are so confident that there's no other recruitment means in
UNHCR as an
external except the IPR? Let me tell
u that u are absolutly wrong! If u have a look on the UNHCR site there
are positions advertised externally - and I can tell u that without
any push, if u have the right qualification u are just simply
shortlisted!!! Without any IPR test and
crisis! A question of being in the right place at the right time! |
Be positive Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 12:21 pm:
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Camel Rider, if what you are saying is correct, then
things get tougher To be honest, I
am getting tired of waiting. Waiting in
vain... |
camel rider Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 03:01 pm:
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Be positive! I didn't mean to disapoint u, and sorry if I
did so! However, what I said is absolutly correct. In fact, I belive
that the only real chance to get into those organisations is to have
a qualification and experience in a different branch than the
humanitarian one. The UN is a five star humanitarian work, and most
of the people wishing to work in humanitarian field, of course, are
trying first to get into the UN.
I believe that the IPR should of
been organized diferently. I could never understood this thing of
50% at the test. Instead, they should make an appreciation of how
many externals should be needed for the coming year and take out a
certain amount of places. Leaving so many people on the side,
waiting for something that maybe will never happen, it's quite
tough.
But, be positive! At the end you have nothing to
loose. Wish u all the best!!! |
What is this for ??? Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 03:52 pm:
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...then, honestly, what is this IPR for? It took
time and efforts to prepare for and pass this exam (not mentioning
travel costs and arrangements) and, at the end,...did they contact
ANY SINGLE IPR 2005 listed
candidate? Any single one? What is camel rider saying indicates that
they did contact some 'pure' externals. And as thy say on their
website 'The next main posting session will take place in June
2006..' |
loggie Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 04:39 pm:
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Guys, I think "the next main posting session", which they
say will take place in June 2005, is not for us. It is related to
those who apply now, for the 2006-IPR, with the
deadline being in a few days.
I believe, those who got into
the last year's roster will be contacted much earlier, for whatever
reason (either with the real offer or with another invitation to
express interest).
Another information, from an internal
source (can't disclose his name, sorry). He told me last year that
about 60% of those who were in the 2004 roster got the contracts,
and those unlucky ones who did not get anything were carried forward
to last year's IPR (2005). When
asked what our chances to get the jobs are, he told me that this
year they expect more positions to open and he told to be positive.
Well, I can't judge how true his information is, but at least I can
guarantee that this person works right in the IPR recruitment
unit.
Let me put the question in a different way: does
anyone know ANYONE who got the job through the previous year's IPR, i.e. before
us? If there is such a person, we could ask him/her how long it took
to get the job and what the timetable was.
I believe, no
candidate from 2005-IPR has been
contacted yet. It doesn't mean that no one will be contacted ever.
All I can recommend is to keep looking for a job and be always ready
to switch from your current job to the employment with the UN.
Loggie |
Sabina Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:15 pm:
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Thanks camel rider! :-) |
Guest
2006 Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:51 pm:
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Some positions (the majority of which are P4 and above)
are open for external recruitment. I got an interview for one of
these with a panel of 4 from Geneva via teleconference. It has been
over a month and I did not receive an apology or congratulations.
Does any of you know how long does it take to get back to a
candidate after an interview?
It is always easier said than
done but I would encourage all of you to do your best and get on
with your lives and keep the UNHCR thing on
the side. If something comes up, then awesome. If not then you are
working on your qualifications and exploring other options.
I hope I can apply the advise myself and get on with my life
and not think too much about the outcome of this interview. But in
any situation, your feedback is much appreciated if one went through
the experience or knows the process.
Best regards |
loggie Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 09:12 am:
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Guest 2006, were you on one of the
IPRs? |
loggie Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 09:16 am:
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Another question: did they call you and start
interviewing right away or did they first call you to notify that
soon they would call to interview you? Well, I want to know whether
you had some time to prepare for the interview, and if yes, how long
the difference between the notification call and the actual
interview was? |
Guest
2006 Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 06:04 pm:
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Dear Loggie,
I am not on the IPR and quite
honestly I knew nothing about the IPR before
applying for this position.
They sent me an email to set up
a time for the interview. I had six days to prepare between the time
I received the notification notice to the actual interview. I did a
lot of prepartion on competency-based interviewing [commonly used
now in all UN interviews] and other interviewing techniques so I
prepared scenarios and wrote lots of answers to the "what if" cases
or "can you tell me about a time when you faced or had bla bla bla".
The interview was very different. It is the traditional
interview: "Tell me about yourself" and then they asked about the
competencies they need in the Vacancy Notice and asked if I had
experience in this area which gave me a chance to talk more about
myself and my previous expereinces.
They had a
representative from HR who spoke about the terms of the contract and
in a remote way about the package (what they offer) and about the UN
system and that you have to be able to move to a D or E country at
some point of your career, etc etc. AND s/he had to hear the
interviewee say YES to each condition.
That was it. I didn't
hear anything back from them. Did not get the typical sorry notice
or the congratulations call.
I apologize because I do not
want to hijack this forum which is specific to IPR but this is
a link that might help with going to the traditional route of
looking for jobs in the UN system and how to prepare.
http://www.unspecial.org/UNS607/UNS-607_T28.html
You will find there another link to the common 10
interviewing questions and other useful information.
Hope
this helps |
loggie Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 10:38 pm:
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Thanks! It is very helpful. Please do share with us the
link to the common 10 interviewing questions. Thanks again
Loggie |
Guest
2006 Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:19 pm:
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Loggie,
Here you go
http://www.unspecial.org/UNS607/UNS-607_T27.html
Best of luck |
Guest
2006 Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:24 pm:
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Oh I forgot to say. If you are applying or being
interviewed for a position in a certain region, you have to be fully
aware of UNHCR operations
in this region. Study the website well because it is guaranteed you
will have a question asking you about what you think are the issues
that UNHCR
face in this particular geographic locale. |
KWT Guest
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Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 02:29 pm:
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Dear all any idea about how to write statement of
purpose - on the question of why you want to work for UNHCR? |
Arwa Guest
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Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 02:36 pm:
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Please help with writing something on the 2 statements -
motivation and competency statements |
Bansuk Guest
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Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 02:49 pm:
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2 days before the deadline, honestly i am a bit
pessimistic if it is worth to take so much work if successful
aplicants of 2005 are still waiting for their grades!! (no talk of
real job yet); any thoughts? |
Citron Orange Guest
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Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 03:02 pm:
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hello everyone,
Who is "guest" asking for the
e-mail address of Citron Orange ? Thanks to tell me. Then, maybe
I'll give my e-mail address. |
Tom
Longley Moderator Username:
Tom
Post Number: 95 Registered: 08-2005
|
Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 04:43 pm:
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Hello there IPR-ers -- Can I
suggest that you create an account? There is a private messaging
system that means you can communicate without having to give away
your email. You can also receive email notifications of new posts,
which is quite handy. The create account button is on the top left.
Cheers. |
Vugar Guest
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Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 04:42 pm:
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Citron, it is Vugar |
Citron Orange Guest
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Posted on Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 01:03 pm:
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Dear Vugar,
Ok, as it is you, very often coming
on the thread, here is my e-mail address : citronorange@voila.fr
Best regards. |
james
connery Member Username:
Help_now
Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2006
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Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 06:06 pm:
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HELP!!!!!!!
TO ANYONE WHO APPLIED TO IPR 2006:
I badly need help. I finish my IPR application
last night, but managed to fall asleep after diner. This morning I
checked the unhcr website
and found the emailaddress for sending my application still there.
Relieved I rushed to a hospital appointment without writing the
emailaddress down. As I just got back from the hoispital I found unhcr changed
the page with the emailaddress on. Can someone please be so kind to
supply me with the IPR 2006
emailaddress, so I can send in asap!!! Thanks a
bunch. |
F. Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 10:27 am:
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hello everyone,
A bit late, but Happy New Year to
all!! Let's hope that it will bring a UNHCR post for
at least one of us. Just wanted to tell you that there are a
couple of interesting job vacancies (External Relations Officer(P3),
Supply Officer (P3), Associate Supply Officer (P2)) on the UNHCR website at
the moment: http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/admin?id=3ba1bdcb7
If I understand the system correctly, we have to apply
directly to those posted on the website, even if we are on the
roster. Who knows, maybe we stand a better chance at getting a job
this way.
Good luck
Fatima |
candidate unhcr Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 02:21 pm:
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Guest 2006 I am actually living the same experience
as you do. I've passed an interview (as a pure external) in December
last year and since I'm expecting an answer. In order not to
monopolize this forum you could contact me at the following email
address: candidate.unhcr@yahoo.com.
There might be some infos we could share.
Cheers |
Tom
Longley Moderator Username:
Tom
Post Number: 101 Registered: 08-2005
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Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 04:00 pm:
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Can anyone help James Connery with his IPR email
problem?
Thanks. |
??? Guest
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Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 06:24 pm:
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Last year,I think, it was hqipr3@unhcr.ch, so
maybe for 2006 was hqipr4@unhcr.ch.
Costs nothing to try it out. Good luck. Fatima , you might be right.
Looks that we may have better chances as pure externals. But the
question remains, what was all of this for? |
james
connery Member Username:
Help_now
Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2006
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Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 02:18 pm:
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Thanks Tom and ?guest.
Tom, as you are the
moderator am I mistaken to assume you are unhcr staff? If
so do you think it makes sense to send in my application for IPR 2006 today,
the deadline was three days ago? |
Tom
Longley Moderator Username:
Tom
Post Number: 104 Registered: 08-2005
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Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 02:39 pm:
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James - I am not a member of UNHCR staff.
Aid Workers Network is completely independent of UNHCR or any
other agency. This forum is a professional resource for aid workers
and those that support them to discuss anything (and everything) to
do with this very broad field.
Concerning your question
about submitting after the deadline, I'm really not certain. Anyone? |
Fatima Guest
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Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 04:48 pm:
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Dear James, As "???" so rightly put it: costs nothing
to try, especially since you've already done the hard part: filling
it out. Send it, explaining how you had lost the email address and
politely ask them to accept it. Worst that could happen is that they
refuse your application, which won't change much to your present
situation. And at best, they accept it, you pass the test, and a
year from now you're posting messages on the IPR 2007
discussion forum wondering whether it was all worth it :-) Which
brings me to "???"'s question. What was all this for? Well
personally, I learned a lot from the documents I read in preparation
for the IPR
test and it motivated me to get more involved in the community life
around me through volunteering. I still remain hopeful that
something will come through the IPR, but I'm not
holding my breath on it--> Optimistic realism. Cheers F. |
james
connery Member Username:
Help_now
Post Number: 4 Registered: 01-2006
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Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 05:14 pm:
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I will do that. Thanks again for the thoughts and
explanations. |
Tom
Longley Moderator Username:
Tom
Post Number: 105 Registered: 08-2005
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Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 05:35 pm:
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Good luck with it! Let us know how it
goes. |
wow Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 12:15 am:
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Dear Candidate UNHCR,
Did you just apply for the position without going through
the IPR test
and was even interviewed? If so, then looks like the HCR does
recruit the externals outside the roster...
wow |
Guest Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 05:12 am:
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Dear Vugar,
I've been applying for IPR this year
and would be most grateful if you could kindly tell me the web-link
where I can obtain the reading materials you used for your
successful exam. here is my email address: jfliban@yahoo.com Thanks
millions in advance!
I really hope that all those who passed
the last year's IPR to get a job
with the HCR sooner or later. You are my hopes (and sure for other
test takers as well)!
Regards, JF |
Vugar Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 01:06 pm:
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Dear IPR-4
applicants,
You will all soon receive the study materials
for the test.
Vugar |
candidate unhcr Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 02:31 pm:
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Wow - my purpose was not to discourage any IPR candidate.
On the UNHCR
website there is a link for External Recruitment: "Current vacancies
open for external recruitment" - which means that anyone can apply.
Well, if you have a quick look, you will notice that there
are quite a few vacancies and, on the top of that, the positions
demand a very specific qualification.
As a pure external you
might have a chance every 20 years to see a job advertised that
would perfectly match your qualifications.
The positive
thing with the IPR is that they
send you job propositions that an external will never see it. As it
is specified on the IPR section, the
persons included in the roster "may thereafter expect to be invited,
at regular intervals, to express interest in specific vacancies or
short-term assignments".
So I do belive that the roster has
its positive aspect if when you apply you keep in mind that this
process will only double your chances to access a vacancy which
could perfectly fit your qualifications.
This is not the
case for an external: you might have one chance but if you don't
play it perfectly, there will never be a second
one... |
wow Guest
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Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 07:02 pm:
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Dear Candidate UNHCR,
I
agree. Still even being an IPR member,
one's eventual employment largely depends on a great deal of luck.
Being on IPR
unfortunately does not guarantee anything, and that is what makes me
nervous and uncertain.
There were suggestions here that it
is better to keep improving your resume/qualifications and continue
looking for a job elsewhere. And if you are all of a sudden recalled
by the HCR and offered a post, take it as a nice surprise, but not
for granted. Maybe it is a good advise. However, after having passed
the test, I did not do anything and just sat and waited until I am
called on duty. It would be so depressing to start looking for a job
now, after having wasted so much time since the test by doing
nothing...
wow |
wow Guest
|
Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 06:13 pm:
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How long will it continue? Now they say about March/April
2006...
p.s. I hope everyone received
today the letter from Vladimir Mijovic |
Peter Lam
Member Username:
Mandella
Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2006
|
Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 07:56 pm:
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Hello all, I have applied for IPR 2006. I
would like to know if anyone on this net is from Canada and has
actually taken the test here. I am not sure where they test center
will be. I presume it would be in Ottawa, but unfortunately I don't
live in Ottawa. Please let me know if there are any thoughts on
that. Thanks, Mandella
Mandella |
guest Guest
|
Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 08:25 pm:
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I fear all this has been a great rip off. Does UNHCR behave
usually with this lack of professionalism and honesty? I wonder if
they treat refugees in the same way. |
leila Guest
|
Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 05:40 am:
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Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows
whether they offer the IPR test in
Australia, or anywhere in this part of the world? Thanks!! |
nidal
Guest
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Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 12:04 pm:
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To Wow: <<p.s.I hope everyone received today
the letter from Vladimir Mijovic>> what is the message?
please share it with us too |
wow Guest
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Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 05:37 pm:
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Dear Nidal,
Are you in IPR-3? If yes,
you were supposed to receive the letter inviting you to "express
interest" in some compendium posts.
If you are not in IPR, then
patience, patience.... You will have enough time to experience
frustration. But for this, you need to pass the Test, for which I
wish you good luck.
wow |
nidal Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 08:27 pm:
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|
WOW - i have applied for IPR 2006; so
this email is not for me; i thought something went wrong with my
emails and i didnt get email from HCR;
thanks |
Reinhold
Member Username:
Rdekrell
Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2006
|
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:20 pm:
|
|
Dear Nidal, Can you advise me of where I may obtain a IPR Testing
application. |
nidal Guest
|
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 07:25 pm:
|
|
Reinhold - which testing application? The deadline was 15
january and i completed that application. no more application that i
know of |
Reinhold
Member Username:
Rdekrell
Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 11:20 pm:
|
|
Dear Nidal, thankyou anyway, I believe I have already
completed my application anyway. |
WOW!!! Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 10:35 pm:
|
|
So, guys, still no news?
|
adak Guest
|
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 07:51 am:
|
|
not much....well, quite indicative isn't
it? |
guest Guest
|
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 01:39 pm:
|
|
What a ripe off!! |
guest
666 Guest
|
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 11:04 pm:
|
|
Another circular message from IPR Unit... And
again waiting till April-May Shall
we give up? |
guest Guest
|
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 02:07 am:
|
|
SURE |
guest Guest
|
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 09:12 pm:
|
|
Is it possible to choose / change the location of the
test. I will probably have to take it in Geneva or Brussels (I live
and work close by and filled out the application form accordingly).
I was now offered a post in Indonesia I wonder whether I could also
take the test there? Whom do I have to contact? Please be so kind
and share your thoughts.
Thank you very much.
Johannes |
guest2 Guest
|
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 01:12 pm:
|
|
yes, if shortlisted you will be able to choose in which
UNHCR office
you want to take the test. After you choose I don't think is
possible to change. good luck! |
joh. Guest
|
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 12:33 pm:
|
|
thank you very much for the answer, guest2.
does
anyone know, when the shortlist is expected to be announced?
perhaps it is out allready and they forgot to put my name on
the list! (-;
joh. |
guest2 Guest
|
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:45 am:
|
|
they gave us the one month notice last year: email you've
been shortilisted together with the day of the
test |
Erick
Bayard Member Username:
Erick
Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 02:05 pm:
|
|
Hi all,
Can someone help me to get the IPR Form and
right mail address for IPR? Ive filled
my P11 form and requested for the IPR form at the
following address: HQIPR2@unhcr.ch.
This was done one month ago and I do not have yet any feedback.
After my graduations in development and project management
and in international humanitarian relief, I worked in Kenya (3
years) and I have completed my 3rd year in Nepal where I am writing
from.
I am really interested in working with UN and I would
appreciate your helping me with the right IPR mail address
and IPR
application form.
Just mail me at erbayard03@yahoo.fr
Thanking you in advance,
Erick |
guest Guest
|
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 02:29 pm:
|
|
erick, you will receive an email from them only if
shortlisted.good luck! |
Erick
Bayard Member Username:
Erick
Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 12:46 pm:
|
|
Manny thnx to all those people who helped me with clear
information on IPR stuffs.
Cheers,
Erick |
IPR-3 member Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 01:33 pm:
|
|
I "expressed interest" in the Compendium vacancies four
times. No sign of interest in me from the other side... First we
were told to be ready for the deployment in duty stations in July
2005, then in September 2005, then December 2005 - January 2006, now
April-May 2006. I try hard to remain optimistic and keep believing
that it is realistic and it won't last forever.
Is there
anyone here who is close to the IPR staff and is
reading these postings? Can he or she tell us if UNHCR does
indeed recruit from IPR and whether
it is realistic for the IPR members to
expect jobs from UNHCR?
Generally, if there are such people here either from the HR
office or the IPR unit, may we
ask you to provide us at least some guiding information that would
shed light on this dark issue. You guys really do not have to write
your real names here (feel free to remain annonymous) or disclose
more than allowed. But at least something that would simply clarify
how the IPR
thing works, what the follow-up procedures are (after expressing
interest), how realistic it is, etc. Statistics from IPR-1 and IPR-2 would be
helpful too. You will not be punished for this - the leakage of
information is everywhere, even in CIA and Pentagon. All we ask you
is to be a bit sympathetic towards us and just understand our
dilemma. We are not asking for the absolutely secret or military
information. You can definitely understand our problems and
feelings, just like the same human beings. Any information would be
very helpful for us.
Thank you IPR-3 member |
Another IPR-3 member Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 03:22 pm:
|
|
I could not say it better... An idea of the percentage of
people who were hired from the roster in the past 2 years would be
great, so we could know what to expect. |
Sally Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 04:39 pm:
|
|
Thank you for raising these issues. You simply read my
mind.
To the IPR
management: indeed, just any information would be helpful and
relieving in the atmosphere of total silence and uncertainty. I
completely agree with my two colleagues who have posted the last two
comments here (IPR-3 members 1
and 2). Please provide us with at least some information as to what
we are supposed to expect. It is not much to ask. And indeed, as it
was noticed above, if it is against the regulations, feel free to
remain annonymous, but put yourselves in our shoes and try to
understand us just like the same human beings. It would be greatly
appreciated.
We know that UNHCR can
turn to IPR
and recruit from the roster when there is a shortage of internal
applicants. We also know that the purpose of IPR is to
provide the back-up for the timely filling of the vacancies when no
internal candidate is found for a specific post. We know this very
well, as it was written in the first announcement back in December
2004 and we all read it.
Yet, what we indeed would like to
know is somewhat different - whether UNHCR does in
fact ever look into IPR and, if yes,
how often and seriously it considers the candidacy of people who
passed the Entry Test, received their personal grades and expressed
interest in compendium vacancies.
I have some additional
questions. Consider that one of us is selected for a post. What is
next?
- any interviews? (I am wondering if the test replaces
the interview) - if the interview is necessary, how long does it
last? Is there any prior notification? If yes, how many days in
advance? - are the inquiries made with the previous employers?
Who is usually being called and what kind of information is sought?
Is it the HR person who is usually contacted for the inquiries or
the former supervisors? - are the references contacted too? What
are they being usually asked?
What comes next after the
interview and the P-11 record checking? Deployment itself? Any
details how it works?
Generally, is there anyone from IPR staff or IPR-1 and IPR-2 who knows
the answers to these questions and is very kind to enlighten us, the
IPR-3
members? We would really be eternally grateful to you for any piece
of information.
Sally |
Reinhold
Member Username:
Rdekrell
Post Number: 6 Registered: 01-2006
|
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 02:50 am:
|
|
Eric, I am interested in similar information, can you
assist. If so my email is rdekrell@hotmail.com.
Thanks either way. |
information from
internal source Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 11:52 am:
|
|
This is a news from internal source: UNHCR does
recruit from IPR, but very
very rarely. The queue of rotated internal staff waiting for their
new appointments is really long. Even they have to wait for a long
time before getting posted. And very few IPR members are
contacted (these are usually the duty stations where no internal
candidate would go). The chances are very little, but not zero. At
this point I would rather say they are just theoretical.
The
vacancies that you receive from time to time to express interest are
sent also to the internal staff. The fact that you receive the list
of vacancies and compendiums does not imply that there is lack of
candidates among the current employees. It is just the procedure to
circulate it both through internal staff and IPR.
Generally, there is a huge confusion inside UNHCR about the
IPR and its
purpose. External applicants are contacted just as much as IPR. No one can
explain why this IPR was
necessary when there was no deficit of internal candidates. The IPR procedures
are not clearly defined, many decisions as to how to proceed with IPR are taken on
an ad-hoc basis and in the last minute, the IPR staff in HR
department are confused and many of them do not know the answers.
So, do not bother asking them questions - they won't know...
A friendly advise: don't rely on IPR and keep
looking for jobs elsewhere. Otherwise, with this correlation of
the number of IPR members and
the lucky ones who were hired you will have to wait for decades,
unless you are ready to wait that long.
And remember that IPR is
constantly growing with every new generation, but the vacancies are
not. Your IPR-1 fellows
had more chances than you guys do now, but in absolute terms it was
still marginal...
Good luck |
Nidhal Guest
|
Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 05:54 pm:
|
|
Just wondering if anybody got reply for IPR 2006?? |
Another IPR-3 member Guest
|
Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 11:49 am:
|
|
Thank you for this information, internal source. It is
good to know, even if it is not encouraging... Nidhal, do not expect
an answer before the end of March... |
rose
agadez Member Username:
Roseflower
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 02:08 pm:
|
|
hi all. is there anybody who applied for the IPR 2006? any
news when the exam is supposed to be and if they have already
contacted potential candidates? |
Sameer
Khan Member Username:
Sameer_khan
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 10:22 am:
|
|
Dear IPR members:
Can some body kindly forward me the reading material for IPR Programme
Exams, especially the "Case Studies". I will be grateful. My email
is sukhan1977@yahoo.com
Vugar Seidov: The reading material you posted on your site
is very helpful.
Many thanks
Sameer |
Robert
Jurgens Member Username:
Rob
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 07:59 am:
|
|
well... it is just getting worse and worse. Now we can
only 'express our interest' in these highlighted positions. There
was only one like this in all massive biannual compendium. Does
anybody know what is going on ? |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 03:10 pm:
|
|
Hi there fellow IPR4 candidates. I received a message
from UNCHR yesterday saying that the exam will take palce on May
30th. They asked me to confirm (in the next five days!!!) if I have
access to a computer and internet connection at the given date. They
did not, however, confirm if I had been chosen to take the test. Now
I'm wondering if they send this message to just some or all of the
people who applied? Anyone know? Anyone willing to share their
experiences and knowledge of the actual test?
Best regards,
Mari |
candidate
Member Username:
Newguest
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 03:52 pm:
|
|
Mari, I have not received any information about the exam.
Could you please share with us what does it exactly
say? |
Tim
Member Username:
Moon
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 09:53 pm:
|
|
Hi Mari, This is the message i received from HCR
regarding the IPR4 test:
Dear IPR candidate,
This is to inform you that we are starting the preparations
for the IPR
Entry Exam to which you may be invited once we are in possession of
the final screening results. At this point in time, we need to
receive urgent feedback from you by cob Wednesday, 29 March 2006,
confirming that you will have - or will be able to make sure to
have - access to a computer with internet connection equipped with
Internet Explorer 6 or higher and Flash Player Version 5 on
Tuesday, 30 May 2006 when the exam is scheduled to take place (from
09h30 until 13h30 your time).
We kindly request you to
respond by the deadline at the latest as this information is needed
as a matter of urgency for our planning purposes.
Please
send your response to HQIPR4@unhcr.org
indicating both your First name and Family name.
Thank you
and best regards,
(Name) Head, Recruitment Unit, UNHCR
So
i suspect IPR4 Test will be home-based. But what is this Flash
Player thing? |
Janset
Erardag Member Username:
Mona
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 11:31 pm:
|
|
Tim, I got the same e-mail and I tought it's just me or
people like me who live in remote areas but I see it's everybody.
This doesn't seem very proffessional unless they really prepared a
fine security system for it or they may have changed the whole think
and would only ask for opinions and not from the 500 pages. We'll
see, I responded positively to the e-mail and wonder what will
happen. Cheers. |
Sameer
Khan Member Username:
Sameer_khan
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 12:26 pm:
|
|
Hi, I have received a similar message, however my other
friends who applied hasn't. It seems they have already completed a
pre-screening, but has still to make a final decision on candidates
who will be allowed to take the exams. Any way the reading material
they gave last time is so much that a security system and no
security system will make no difference even if it is an open book.
Having said so, I understand last time, in some cases if not all,
the exams took place in UNHCR
Offices..... |
Sameer
Khan Member Username:
Sameer_khan
Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 12:32 pm:
|
|
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
Flash can be downloaded from this site...and many more other
sites. If you encounter any problem accessing the site, just use a
search engine (yahoo, google etc) |
DLA
Member Username:
Danik
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 03:51 pm:
|
|
Hi friends,
I received same letter last Friday.
Can some body kindly forward me the reading material for IPR Programme
Exams. My email is danikipr2006@yahoo.com
Dear Vugar Seidov, could you tell me how to get the reading
materials you posted on your site?
Thank you, all the best,
danik |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 07:31 pm:
|
|
Hi, It will be interesting to see how they're going
to organize the testing if it's really a home-based one. This is
getting more and more confusing... Well I guess we can only wait and
see and hope for the best. Or if someone has any better ideas, I
would love to hear them!
Love, Mari |
candidate
Member Username:
Newguest
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 09:00 pm:
|
|
well, strange.... last year I took the exam (failed!),
and this year they have not even invited
me? |
Tim
Member Username:
Moon
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 09:44 pm:
|
|
But can someone from the IPR3 group (last year's batch)
tell us please if they have been given a job by HCR finally! |
Robert
Jurgens Member Username:
Rob
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 08:42 am:
|
|
Well, I really think that none of us. Whatbs more,
recently theybve radically limited number of posts in which we can
bexpress our interestb. In the last Biannual Compendium there was
only 1 (out of 30 published!!!) offered to IPR candidates
(I am speaking about P2s). So, sadly, it looks that this
binformation from internal sourceb was 100 %
true. |
Robert
Jurgens Member Username:
Rob
Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 08:58 am:
|
|
Well, I really think that none of us. Whatbs more,
recently theybve radically limited number of posts in which we can
bexpress our interestb. In the last Biannual Compendium there was
only 1 (out of 30 published!!!) offered to IPR candidates
(I am speaking about P2s). So, sadly, it looks that this
binformation from internal sourceb was 100 %
true |
the real
one Member Username:
Torus
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 11:04 am:
|
|
Hello I also received the invitation for the home based
test planned for May 3oth . But after reading this forum and the
previous one I'm getting more and more skeptical about the relevance
of IPR. Does
anyone has the email adress of one UNHCR HR top
official so we can send him a link to this Forum. Perhaps it will
help him understand the greater raising perception of "long con" of
that test. And agree that UNHCR must be
more transparent on IPR test
outcomes. |
the real
one Member Username:
Torus
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 11:14 am:
|
|
reading materials in : for reading materials: http://www.personal.ceu.hu/staff/Vugar_Seidov/
more than 90 doc , hey Vugar how did you do learn all of this???
Does anyone who passed previous test may give some
guidelines on best way to prepare the test : ie focus on
humanytarian law , read newspapers , go intern to an UNHCR office
blabla... |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 09:37 am:
|
|
Hi, For some reason I get a totally blank page when
trying to access Vugar's reading material. Can anyone help me?
Thanks in advance! -Mari- |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 08:23 pm:
|
|
what is IPR1, IPR2, IPR3 and IPR4? Can you give me the
difference between them? |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 08:27 pm:
|
|
You all IPR candidates
and those who got succes in last IPR test,
The IPR entry test
is based on Analytical skill, Ethical/ Professional conduct,
Programme case study. Would you mind writing one exampel question
for each topi? Best kind |
Ali
Member Username:
Angel_heart
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 05:23 pm:
|
|
Hey all ..as some of new users here i received on march
24th the same email asking for confirmation for the test on may 30th
via internet check the first forum about IPR Entry Test
is very useful: http://forum.aidworkers.net/messages/19328/27160.html?1134146683 |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 09:43 pm:
|
|
I will try to address some of the questions raised here:
Last year, a close book exam took place at UNHCR offices
worldwide. No chance to cheat during the exam whatsoever. This year
you guys (IPR4) are much luckier. However, do not be overexcited
about this fact. The opportunity to consult the reading materials
while typing your answers at home will not increase your exam grade
in absolute terms compare to the answers of your predecessors in
2005, because the passing criteria is based on the curve anyway. The
year before us (in 2004), it was also a take-home exam and only the
best answers were considered as passing. It means that, even though
the passing criteria for all these years remained 50% of the answer,
the weight of this 50% passing line has varied from year to year.
The grading criteria for a home-based exam is always stricter than
for a close-book. You guys will be competing between yourselves.
Robert Jurgens, are you from IPR2?
Tim, there are
rumors that very few IPR members from
the previous years got the job. The priority in placement is always
given to the internal candidates (current UNHCR staff with
expiring contracts). And there is a really long queue of internal
candidates waiting for their new appointment. Only when it turns out
that no one wants to go to crazy and dangerous areas (mainly
non-family E-category duty stations) somewhere in the middle of
nowhere, does the UNHCR turn to
the desperate IPRs who cannot say NO under the threat of being
removed from the roster. This is how it works.
The REAL ONE:
the IPR
management does read this forum, so no need to forward this link to
them. But do not expect them to answer to your inquiries. Perhaps,
it is their policy. They did not answer to our queries last year
either, and do not expect them to answer to yours this year.
However, I assure you, the IPR management
does read this forum and is very well familiar with our concerns.
And do not go to the UNHCR office.
Just read the materials. Read it 5-10 times. Read it when you eat.
Read it when you sleep. Read it when you sit in the toilet. Read it
when you have sex with your girlfriend. Read it, read it, read it.
And learn it by heart.
Josue, IPR3 is 2005, IPR is 2006,
etc.
Gagulya |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 07:01 pm:
|
|
Hi Gagulya, What is the reading material you're
talking about? Where cn I find it? I've been trying to ask the
people on this message board for some suggestions but have not got
an answer. Someone guided us to the web page of Vugar Seidov but I
just got a blank page when trying to access it... I haven't heard if
others have had the same problem. I would very much appreciate
your help even though actually getting a job with the UNHCR seems to
be almost impossible, I would anyhow like to be well prepared for
the test.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Love, Mari |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 07:49 pm:
|
|
Mari, try this: www.personal.ceu.hu/staff/Vugar_Seidov/UNHCR/
I checked, it works. G |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:32 pm:
|
|
Robert Jurgens, indeed it is getting worse and worse. All
the yellow-highlighted positions require Arabic or French This limits our
chances. |
Robert
Jurgens Member Username:
Rob
Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 08:26 am:
|
|
Well, it is a pity, really. If they have such huge number
of internals to relocate why are they organizing this IPR exam every
year and not ,for example, every second or third according to their
needs. It is so, so much better to have fewer but highly motivated
candidates waiting on the roster than a frustrated and disillusioned
crowd. It does not make any sense to me. |
Ibrahima
Sanogo Member Username:
Isanogo
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 04:19 pm:
|
|
Does anyone have an update on the current IPR? I received
the email asking to confirm my participation, and then nothing so
far. |
Tim
Member Username:
Moon
Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:51 am:
|
|
I have also not heard a single thing from them. Reading
from last year's IPR forum, i
think they may not be writing to us soon. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 02:00 pm:
|
|
Ibrahim and Tim - don't expect any update from them at
this point. The necessary information will come in due course. For
now, just read the materials and learn important things (definitions
and key words) by heart. |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 03:44 pm:
|
|
Thanks a lot Gagulya! Now I got to the material. Now I
just need to study it... It doesn't really feel too motivating at
teh moment after reading all the messages on this site and due to
the way that the UNHCR handles
this whole process.
-MARI- |
Tim
Member Username:
Moon
Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 05:21 pm:
|
|
So finally they have sent the invitations! But again no
details regarding what to read in preparation - I guess we just have
to continue reading the materials from Gagulya & Co. But now it
appears that it wont be home based again! Anyway, lets wait and see. |
Ali
Member Username:
Angel_heart
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 05:22 pm:
|
|
Hi all !!! to IPR's 2006 check
your emails ..news are there ...but i have a doubt , my country is
not listed ....should i propose any other or they will give me
options ? |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 05:49 pm:
|
|
To all of you who are interested in the mail from the UNHCR it reads
as follows:
"Dear IPR candidate,
We have the pleasure to inform you that you have been
retained to sit for the UNHCR Entry-test
to the International Professional Roster (IPR).
This year's Entry test is scheduled to take place on 30 May
2006 and will be jointly administered by UNHCR and the
United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC). Within the comings
weeks you will receive a convocation letter from UNSCC outlining the
details of the test as well as the contact person and street address
of the venue. In the meantime, we kindly ask that you select from
the attached list the location (city and country) where you would
like to sit the test and revert by latest Friday 28 April 2006, to
HQIPR4@unhcr.org
with the subject heading '2006 IPR Test
Location'.
EXAMPLE: Name: John SMITH City: Paris
Country: France
You may notice an asterisk(*) next to
certain countries, in this regard you may still select among this
group of countries, however, please note that these countries are
only listed on a tentative basis and you will be informed separately
should we not be able to identify a test location in that specific
country.
Please note that for reasons related to the
administration and logistics of the test, the location (city and
country) selected by the candidate will be viewed as final and
therefore any future requests for changes to the initial selection
will not be considered.
We wish to take this opportunity to
remind all candidates that UNHCR is not
responsible for the travel arrangements nor any costs associated
with travel to or from the test center.
Candidates who pass
the test will be informed accordingly and their names will be
included on the IPR.
Finally, please accept our best wishes for success in the UNHCR Entry test
to the International Professional Roster. "
And then there
was a list of locations attached. But as Tim wrote, still not too
much information Let's just wait and
see what kind of information the letter from the UNSCC includes.
BR, Mari |
ZAKI RAIS
Member Username:
Zaki
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 02:58 am:
|
|
Hi guys, just received the same e-mail and wish all of us
the best of luck. i think that the best way to share and be prepared
in this forum is to start studying the kind of questions we can get
and try to answer them all together. We need to first identify the
questions. |
the real
one Member Username:
Torus
Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 10:31 am:
|
|
Dear IPR candidate,
We have the pleasure to inform you that you have been
retained to sit for the UNHCR Entry-test
to the International Professional Roster (IPR).
This year's Entry test is scheduled to take place on 30 May
2006 and will be jointly administered by UNHCR and the
United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC). Within the comings
weeks you will receive a convocation letter from UNSCC outlining the
details of the test as well as the contact person and street address
of the venue. In the meantime, we kindly ask that you select from
the attached list the location (city and country) where you would
like to sit the test and revert by latest Friday 28 April 2006, to
HQIPR4@unhcr.org
with the subject heading '2006 IPR Test
Location'.
EXAMPLE: Name : John SMITH City : Paris
Country : France
You may notice an asterisk(*) next to
certain countries, in this regard you may still select among this
group of countries, however, please note that these countries are
only listed on a tentative basis and you will be informed separately
should we not be able to identify a test location in that specific
country.
Please note that for reasons related to the
administration and logistics of the test, the location (city and
country) selected by the candidate will be viewed as final and
therefore any future requests for changes to the initial selection
will not be considered.
We wish to take this opportunity to
remind all candidates that UNHCR is not
responsible for the travel arrangements nor any costs associated
with travel to or from the test center.
Candidates who pass
the test will be informed accordingly and their names will be
included on the IPR.
Finally, please accept our best wishes for success in the UNHCR Entry test
to the International Professional Roster. |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:12 am:
|
|
Hi guys, congrats to everyone who received the
invitation! Now let's just hope that it will come through soon so
that we won't waste our time.
Jeyjey. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 5 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:28 am:
|
|
Dear last year's IPR-3 (2005).
Any luck with anyone? Any offer or interview?
Asking this
year's IPR
candidates (2006): is it clear whether it will be a take-home or
in-class test? |
Kancharakuntla Prabhu Charan Member Username:
Prabhuk
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:38 am:
|
|
what is this ipr and what is
this about? im a new member and would like to know about this. |
Prabhu john
charan Member Username:
Prabhuk
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:47 am:
|
|
hi is anyone interested in discussing a science topic |
Prabhu john
charan Member Username:
Prabhuk
Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:48 am:
|
|
on biodiesel please |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:56 am:
|
|
Hi Gagulya, I guess we'll all get reading materials soon.
Have you taken this test last year? I did, but failed, very hard
work to pass. I wonder where from to learn the key point etc. by
heart as you say in your previous email. I'm absolutely lost, don't
know where to start.
Jeyjey (Bakili
Balasi) |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:59 am:
|
|
Kancharakuntla Prabhu Charan (a.k.a. Prabhu john), did
you first read the announcement? |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:01 pm:
|
|
Hi Gagulya, I guess we'll all get reading materials soon.
Have you taken this test last year? I did, but failed, very hard
work to pass. I wonder where from to learn the key point etc. by
heart as you say in your previous email. I'm absolutely lost, don't
know where to start.
Jeyjey (Bakili
Balasi) |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:05 pm:
|
|
Start from the very beginning, deer (and dear too)
Orda "International Instruments" sub-folderi var. Onu oxuyarsan.
Ve sub-folderin altinda "UNHCR. ..."
bashlayan materiallar var. Onlardan bashla. Got it? Gagulya
Zavokzalni |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 01:27 pm:
|
|
will we do the same test? I dn't think so because there
are those who are interested in computer sciences, protection,
administration and so forth and so on. if you have ideas about it,
please inform me. Jane |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 03:43 pm:
|
|
but definitely not biodiesel... |
Tim
Member Username:
Moon
Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 05:47 pm:
|
|
From what i understand, we will all do the same test,
whether you are interested in programmes, admin, accounts, stealing
or loafing its the same test! So better listen to Gagulya and start
cramming. As for biodiesel, may be Pharabhu you should rather be
thinking about "biodiversity in refugee
settings". |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 07:13 pm:
|
|
It is gonna be the same test, the same questions for
everyone, regardless of your choice. This is how it was last year.
So, read everything and not just what is interesting for you. |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 05:47 pm:
|
|
So if we will have the same questions, it means that I am
not obliged to answer to all questions. Everyone will choose the
questions about his/her fied ( protection, computer, administration,
...). |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 05:08 pm:
|
|
No, you will all have the same questions. And you will
have to answer to all questions irrespective of your field. It
is posible, that in one or two sections you will have a choice
between two questions (A and B). However, all the questions will be
the same and the requirements will be the same for everyone. |
francesca
bonomo Member Username:
Ugo
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 05:44 pm:
|
|
anyone taking the test in Paris? |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:46 am:
|
|
Francesca, Yes I will take test i France and I will
answer in French. And you? |
francesca
bonomo Member Username:
Ugo
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 03:51 pm:
|
|
Lucky you Janey, I wish I could express myself in
french;;;
they asked for availability of own computer with
flash, do you guys know whether they actually proide computers
instead? hae a good weekend on your books
F. |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 12:42 am:
|
|
Hello y'all,
I have been "lurking" for awhile but
coming out to see if there are any test takers in DC. I don't mean
to hate, but being from the West coast I am slightly annoyed to have
to fly out to the East coast, on memorial day weekend no less.
One month till test day! good luck
Kosmo |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 11 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 11:30 am:
|
|
Exactly one year ago (well, on 28th April), we took and
passed the test. Nothing since then |
Ali
Member Username:
Angel_heart
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 04:58 pm:
|
|
Hey ! Kosmo I can understand u .I will fly from Peru
to Ecuador for taking the test |
Melanie
Tate Member Username:
Melnz
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 01:23 am:
|
|
And I have to fly to Australia from New Zealand! Is
anyone else taking the test in Australia??? |
From_inside_hcr
Member Username:
From_inside_hcr
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 09:51 am:
|
|
Good morning et bon jour, Please try to have a look
at the 1951 convention and its 1967 protocol as these instrument are
crucial in HCR work. Maybe you can as well get some information
about durable solutions(Repatriation, Locally integration and
resettlement) UNHCR as of 2006
entered a new area related to IDP's so please try to gather more
information about that. sorry IDP means internally displaced
persons(people) |
francesca
bonomo Member Username:
Ugo
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 05:14 pm:
|
|
thank you insider, it would be nice to know whether the
study material has drastically changed from last years... anyone
received any tips? |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 01:29 am:
|
|
I agree with insider. IDP is increasingly getting more
attention. Hello all, I am taking the exam, for the first time,
and I found this site very useful. Please accept my sincere
gratitude everyone of you.
Just a little thought to share. I
believe what we will have to keep in our mind all the time -before,
after and during the test - is that working for HCR is not about
getting a professional job, it's all about Helping, Caring,
Protecting the most vulnerable people on the earth and People who
will have such supreme roles are selected fairly, responsibly.
Therefore the fact that you do not pass the test or are NOT
recruited does't mean you failed or are NOT qualified, it simply
means there exists more Caring, better qualifed persons who can
help/protect people in desperate situations. That should make us
happier for we have a better world awaiting ahead of us and we are
part of this better-world-process?
Cheers! Yong from
Corea |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 06:40 am:
|
|
Yong,
While I commend your idealism I would
caution you on several fronts (and I welcome everyone's comments of
course) If I don't pass the exam, based one what I am reading,
it is because I didn't score above a certain score, and thus was
eliminated based on my statistical ranking. The person who maybe
scored higher than me may or may not be "more" caring. If we make it
this far we are all, I hope, caring people. Likewise if i score
higher than the next person, obviously I am not more caring. I just
scored better. Secondly, I would caution you not to put
humanitarian work on a pedestal, so to speak. If you actually get to
work in the field, you see pure acts of evil, by human beings. Are
you ready for that? On the other extreme, have you met people in
Geneva, where they sit in their cozy air-conditioned offices (at
least the new buildings), take their 8,50 SFr lunch w/ wine for 1.5
hrs, and go home across the border in France at 4? Not really
judging, just saying that humanitarian work - and its organizations
- have their fair share of selfish people, bad bureaucracy. Heck,
how did the last Commish got laid off/quit?
best of luck to
everyone. Memorise those terms and articles.
Kosmo |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 12 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 05:46 am:
|
|
I couldn't agree more with Kosmo. I wish what Lee wrote
was at least partly true. Sadly, the reality is different. When I
see who actually works in UN and how they sneak in, I get really
mad. I don't mean to generalize and speak about the entire UN staff.
Not at all! Most of the UN employees are professionals and
qualified. But there is a big group of people who get there God
knows how - with no competitions or tests, merely through
connections and excessive help from friends/relatives. No smell of
equal opportunity principle. If they were at least good, it wouldn't
be that bad. But the truth is that I would not hire them even for a
secreatrial work and would not entrust them even to affix stamps on
the envelops! Many of them hardly speak English,have poor
experience, not so impressive background. Just a small example:
there is a program within UNDP for Georgia. Out of 9 staff, 7
(SEVEN!!!) are from Bulgaria! Nothing personal and no offense
against Bulgarians or Bulgaria, but I just can't understand how it
is possible for seven people from the same country to work in the
same office??? I would really love if anyone convince me that there
was no protectionalism/promotionalism (if not corruption) in this
case. Take the UN headquarters in New York. It is just undescribable
how little some of them work and how long sometimes it takes for
them to complete one short assignment. And the monthly pay is equal
to our annual salaries, while the amount of work completed by them
within one year is done by us in one month! So, dear Lee,
working in UN is very honorable and comfortable. But it has nothing
to do with professionalism or skills. It is all about personal
connections and promotionalism. Sadly true. |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 01:23 am:
|
|
Dear Kosmo & Gagulya,
I sincerely appreciate
your comments. In the meantime, has anyone rec'd any further
notice with "links" to possible preparation docs? Thanks in
advance. |
Ibrahima
Sanogo Member Username:
Isanogo
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 03:43 am:
|
|
Yong is right. Together ee can make a difference with the
right attitude. Let's just look forward. |
Ibrahima
Sanogo Member Username:
Isanogo
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 03:44 am:
|
|
Yong is right. Together we can make a difference. Let's
just look forward. |
the real
one Member Username:
Torus
Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 03:52 am:
|
|
AHHHHHHHHH UNHCR and UN
the truth is that 90% of the test attenders do that for
money and material advantages, if above that your work can help than
...Ok.
I have work for short term for UNHCR and other
UN organization and I confirm Gagulya there are only 4% of qualified
people, when you dig further on their entrance into UNHCR you ALWAYS
find that "he knew" someone or "is in love" with someone or "daddy
knows" someone...
Sincerely UN systems deceived me a lot,
it's a big club with influential sphere. Though a UN officer must
not be bound to his country , you ALWAYS noticed that they promote
their fellows citizens. I also saw a service with 5persons out 8
from the same country, and all of them from the sub region.
If i do the test is for to be like those I have seen,
gaining my annual salary in a month, traveling every time, and
having extended hollydays... |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 05:17 pm:
|
|
Hello everyone! I hope all of us have done enough of
studying this week and look forward to a relaxing weekend ahead of
us. After hearing some of comments from few of us my conviction
becomes stronger that UNHCR, UN
system, overall all organizations are NOT perfect; they are all
prone to errors, mistakes and abuses. Then, its our duty to make
them a bit better & a bit more "perfect". We are fortunate that
we belong to this reform process by taking IPR test and
some of us can make a direct difference inside system while those of
us are outside can support it. Please accept my apology if my
comments offend anyone's feelings, but I am sure that you understand
afterall the power of optimism and "bright side" on human nature.
I trust all of us have a pleasant weekend.
Yong |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 13 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 04:09 am:
|
|
Dear Yong Hee Lee,
To make difference and change
things in UN, we must first get in and start actually working there.
For this, you need first to pass the exam and, second, be the
luckiest man in the world to get the actual placement. Past
experience with IPR shows that
you can stay jobless years after you pass the test. I don't mean to
discourage your committment before the test, but sadly, passing the
test doesn't guarantee anything. I wish you guys good luck at the
test, but do continue looking for the jobs elsewhere until the day
when you sign the contract with UNHCR... Don't
rely on the PASS letter from UNHCR. |
KARIM
Member Username:
Karim
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 04:52 am:
|
|
The last few responses are very negative and I hope I
will not have unfortunate experience of being placed with some of
you in the future.
I was an intern last summer with HCR in
West Africa and two out of the five international staff members were
hired through IPR > the
experience was great contributing to my interest in a professional
career with the organization.
Letbs keep this forum
encouraging and good luck to all of you. |
maria
callas Member Username:
Teresa
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 08:09 am:
|
|
Hi I'm a new one on the list and going to take the
test on the 30th May as well. Has anyone received the material
that we are supposed to study for the test? I mean are they going to
send the material still or are you all preparing for the test by
reading the old materials from previous
years? |
supriya
Member Username:
Super
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 10:55 am:
|
|
Hi I am new to this list as well and will be taking the
test at the end of May. Please let me know if there is any
information on study materials. |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 12:25 am:
|
|
hello! I have NOT yet rec'd the study material
either. I believe we will receive it in the next two weeks. |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 02:24 pm:
|
|
Hi guys,
I have not received any study material
either. Hm...I wonder if they don't think that it would be too late
for us to read such a big material!! It's better to read the old
stuff for now. |
sufi lala
Member Username:
Sufilala
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2005
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 02:46 pm:
|
|
wow i just received a very cryptic email all about
logging onto the unhcr site to
find the test venues... no details about which materials to
revise from, but one assumes same as last year? very interesting
to hear from Karim above, thanks for the contribution &
encouragement! |
From_inside_hcr
Member Username:
From_inside_hcr
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 02:48 pm:
|
|
Please check your e-mails you should be receiving soon
some updates related to the exam |
maria
callas Member Username:
Teresa
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 04:24 pm:
|
|
But you who have been studying for the exam already, do
you think we (who haven't studied yet)have any chance to pass the
test? Working every day doesn't leave much time to study, even the
material would come soon... I'm beginnint to be skeptic after
reading the messages here... you people who took the test before,
how much did you study for that?
Approximately? |
maria
callas Member Username:
Teresa
Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 04:28 pm:
|
|
And still, what role does it play, from which country you
come from? Does it? How familiar you guys are with the material - do
you know already most of it - are you all for eample working with
the simiral kind of issues daily so that the material is already
more or less familiar to you? |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 05:38 pm:
|
|
Hello,
Karim, Supriya, sufi, maria. Welcome to
the forum. I hope that I am not one of the people with whom you do
not wish to work. The UNHCR is
purportedly one of the most meritocratic agencies, the fact the IPR itself
exists is indicative of which. OTOH I accept the fact that nepotism
exists everywhere, just to what degree. And while I still have a
sense of idealism w/ UN agencies it is fallable. I do my own part,
as all of us should, in my community to make it better. Getting into
HCR would be excellent but not getting in is not the end of the
world, nor should I be bitter about it. (see Gagulya) I have
received the convocation password but not study materials. I didn't
think we were getting any. I have done significant academic research
on say Zaire and Bosnia so while i don't do refugee material
everyday I think I am knowing my way around for
now... |
gio
Member Username:
Googolina
Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 11:21 pm:
|
|
Hey guys I have received todays'email as well and it
is written that no study material will be sent. And that if we want
to have some more info we should get familiar with the HCR's web
site
Googolina |
hope is
high Member Username:
The_face_of_peace
Post Number:
1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 12:15 am:
|
|
you bring back hope in my frozen heart, now I see that
there are still people who are going to fight the evil and save the
world by their purity. (LOL) I have had very few contact
with UNCR since now, but I prefer to think that there is hope and
that we will be different from those who tarnish the UNCR and Un
image by their dirty game. But to tell the truth Ibm not sure
that we will be able. I have received the letter saying that
there is no study material and it disappointed me: We are asked
to do a test without any reference and they say in the paper, you
will be judged on the quality UNCHR see essential (what are these
quality).
I donbt see it very fair, perhaps itbs one of
this new trends in hiring procedureb&.
Ibm just hoping
that this test is not a way of justifying budget and that this time
we will see in this forum that at least 1 person was taken and began
job.
Good luck to evry one.
PS: true human and
Guylgual, You are probably more or less true in your appreciation of
UNCR, yes salary is a very strong motivation but there are also
others things like the feeling that your job is helpfulb&. |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 07:50 pm:
|
|
Hi guys,
I haven't received any new e-mails after
the one saying that I have been selected to take the test. I wonder
what's going on and if I should be worried about not getting any
news. All of this has been quite confusing and not very couraging...
But I guess all I can do is wait and try to prepare the best I can
AND keep looking for other opportunities in the meanwhile.
Could someone send the message they received. Thanks!
-Mari- |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 08:34 pm:
|
|
Mari,
After you sent in your email confirming
your location you should have just gotten an email w/ a password to
take to the exam. This happened about 48 hrs ago. If you have gotten
all the emails so far and have responded regarding your location you
should email them and see what is going on.
Kosmo |
Charlotte
Member Username:
Chachy80
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 02:29 pm:
|
|
Hello guys,
I'm new to the forum too...I was
expecting reading materials and am amongst those that just
discovered the reading list from last year... Same question: will I
have enough time to revise everything? Is anybody there taking the
exam in LONDON? If someone can give me some tips on how selective I
should be that would be really appreciated.
Thanks. |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 04:43 pm:
|
|
Thanks Kosmo. I have received all the information so far
except for this latest one... I hope they'll give me some kind of an
answer when I e-mail them about whats going on. May 30th isn't
faraway and I'm a bit worried about a possible technical or other
type of error blowing the whole thing.
-M- |
gio
Member Username:
Googolina
Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 05:57 pm:
|
|
Hey Charlotte I will be taking the exam in London,
give me your email so that we can get in touch!
Googolina |
Charlotte
Member Username:
Chachy80
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 06:51 pm:
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|
Hi Gio, Great to hear you're in London too. Here is
my email: c_battisti@yahoo.it! How do
you feel about the test? |
Guest
Member Username:
Guest
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 08:37 pm:
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|
hi mari and all other desperates waiting for further
notice... I have not yet received any password and convocation
either. i really start getting worried that the transmission system
failed however, my computer did not send me any failure message. I
just wrote to HCR again and forwarded them my previous message. Wish
all of you good luck on the 30th! |
monsoon
Member Username:
Monsoon
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 12:58 am:
|
|
Hi
Can anyone tell me which reading material they
are referring to from last year?
Thanks |
monsoon
Member Username:
Monsoon
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 01:10 am:
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|
Hi
Could you please advise which reading
material/list from last year you are referring to? Anyone?
Thanks
Monsoon |
Guest
Member Username:
Guest
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 01:46 pm:
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|
monsoon, check the earlier mesages. there is a link to a
former candidate's webpage where you can find all the documents. |
Ali
Member Username:
Angel_heart
Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 09:34 pm:
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|
Check this:
www.personal.ceu.hu/staff/Vugar_Seidov/UNHCR/
good luck for all !! |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 14 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:56 am:
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|
the link doesn't work |
monsoon
Member Username:
Monsoon
Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 02:56 am:
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|
Guest and Ali
Thanks, but the link actually does
not work.
Monsoon |
Ali
Member Username:
Angel_heart
Post Number: 5 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 02:34 pm:
|
|
Monsoon Sorry i supposed it worked Anyway i download
a PDF document : UNHCR Handbook
on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status Please
send me your email and i will send the document aliciacristinagb@gmail.com |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 5 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 03:09 pm:
|
|
Hi Gagulya,
Do you think the link will start
working somehow? Thanks! J. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 15 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 05:16 pm:
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Bakili balasi, mene mektub yaz |
Guest
Member Username:
Guest
Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 08:39 pm:
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|
hi all. question: have you all already got the
convoncation/password or are there also people waiting for it? i
start getting really worried. since i sent my replay concerning the
test location on april 24 i have not heard from them any more. |
Guest
Member Username:
Guest
Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 08:49 pm:
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|
dear all. question: have you all already received the
convocation or are there other people like me who are still waiting
for it? i really start getting worried that computer world somehow
failed. |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 11:50 pm:
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|
I am under the impression that, according to Convocation,
the nature and scope of test will be very general, testing the
skills and competences acquired over the years at school, work and
field etc. Anyone shares the same
impression? |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 5 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 06:44 am:
|
|
Yong,
Anything is fair game, so i'd study
anything that if I were a refugee, I want me as a field officer to
know. Makes sense? ;)
Kosmo |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:36 pm:
|
|
Thanks Kosmo, it does make sense!
yong |
monsoon
Member Username:
Monsoon
Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 03:57 am:
|
|
Hi Ali
Thanks, I do have access to that
particular information... I thought it would be something different.
Thanks again
monsoon |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 06:08 pm:
|
|
The list of venue is out. pls check it
out. |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:10 pm:
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|
Yong,
Thanks for the heads-up. However I will
definitely check back in the few days. Reason being, first off, for
the US they have only the NYC location, which was initially listed
as tentative. The DC location is blank, which was previously listed
as definite. Looking at the UK and Switzerland they don't have
locations yet, and those are in essence H locations. I was none too
happy when I first saw that there was no DC location because I
bought tickets to DC and have accomodations there, but I would hold
off before jumping to conclusions for now. I would not be pleased if
I have to head to NYC instead of DC, i can tell you that..
Kosmo |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 01:25 pm:
|
|
Hello there, anyone taking the test in Ankara? Cheers! J. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:03 am:
|
|
Guys from last year (IPR-3):
no more compendiums to express interest in vacancies?
Haven't received anything for a long
while... |
Michael
Gibson Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 02:25 pm:
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|
Yong,
Re: your May 12, 2006 - 11:50 pm, that's
the impression I get as well. I have to say I'm kind of relieved
because I saw the pile of study materials someone posted from last
year's test, and there was no way I was going to read all that
between now and test day.
A question for the group,
especially those who took the test in previous years - any study
tips? I'm checking the UNHCR site about
their mandate and work, as suggested in the convocation letter, but
I wonder if there's anything in particular I should concentrate on.
Thanks. |
Cheets
Member Username:
Cheets
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 03:38 am:
|
|
I've been following the discussion on this thread very
closly and I must say I'm learning a lot!
I'm finishing up
my undergraduate degree (Bachelors) in Canada so I will apply for
the IPR test
next year. Does anyone know where the location for the test is in
Canada? Is there one in Vancouver? |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 04:43 am:
|
|
Hi Michael, The test should not be entirely academic
if I had understood the convocation letter correctly. Of course, it
should occupy a big chunk of the test yet the rest-non accademic-is
equally important. I am focusing more on Procedural part-pratical
and everyday activities of UNHCR at the
field level. I think of myself as a protection officer in Darfur and
prepare the test on that assumption. I hope it helps on D-day.
Hey Cheets, Ottawa is the location city in Canada this year. |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 12:11 am:
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|
If there are any DC lurkers out there we should all get a
beer afterward. I am the short skinny asian guy. I don't suppose
there will be many there? (unlike say, a Java convention...lol)
Good luck everyone.
Kosmo |
KARIM
Member Username:
Karim
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 12:22 am:
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|
Hi everyone... I hope the preparation is going well
for everyone. Since English isn't my first language I am curious
if the computer based exam will offer spell check? This is a
requirement for us who are non-native English speakers. In
addition, the Convocation letter stated, Part II that we will be
tested on or data analysis skills and drafting (among other things)
would anyone have any recommendations how to study for this... |
queen
Member Username:
Queen
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 06:08 pm:
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|
hi all, anyone taking the test in Kenya? Does anyone have
any material that i can check out?
Queen |
Guest
Member Username:
Guest
Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 08:32 am:
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|
I see, guys you are studying very
hard. |
Sameer
Khan Member Username:
Sameer_khan
Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 08:40 am:
|
|
I ll be taking exams from Kenya (at
UNON). |
Jack Slow
Member Username:
Man_no_rest
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 05:21 pm:
|
|
could anyone paste the address location in Washington DC?
I bothed my password. Thanks |
Margaret
Ayot Member Username:
Munira
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 02:33 am:
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|
Dear all, Thank you for posting your Messages on this
forum. There were times I really needed answeres to some questions
and you answered them one why or another. Good luck to all of us who
are taking the test May 30th. See you in DC Kosmo and others. |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 09:42 am:
|
|
Hi there,
My last question before the exam:
Anyone knows the pass mark? I guess it was 50% last year, is it the
same this year?
Good luck to everybody tomorrow! J. |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 09:11 pm:
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|
I think they adjust the pass mark every time according to
how well people do generally. If the test turns out to be "easy"
(everything is relative) the pass mark goes higher up and if it
turns out to be a total nightmare which only a few people do well
in, the pass mark goes down. I would suppose that they want around a
certain number of people. This of course goes only up to a certain
point since I don't think they will take a bunch of people who did
really poorly on the test even if the majority did not so well.
Correct me anyone if you have better info. This is just my
experience from other tests.
Good night and good luck -Mari- |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 17 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 11:00 pm:
|
|
Mari, you got it right. Guys, please write down all
the questions (somewhere on the paper) and then post them here. Just
want to know what kind of question they will ask this year.
thnx |
Hans Bastian
Hauck Member Username:
Baz
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 02:09 am:
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|
wow. i just started preparing for this ipr tonight,
meaning monday night, with less than 24 hours to go to the exam. i
must say, i'm impressed to see how much you people seem to care and
study for all this! i have none of these materials mentioned - never
saw them, links don't work, and it's too late anyhow... will be
reading unhcr.org and
rely on my common sense, i guess... anyways, good luck to all you
studious ones out there! if anyone detects a working link to useful
factsheets, briefing notes etc within the next few hours, please
post it here, i guess i won't sleep
tonight... |
Yong Hee
LEE Member Username:
Yong
Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 06:41 am:
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|
12 hrs to go Regardless of the outcome of the test,
it has been a great experience preparing for the test at all stages.
Not only have I learnt significantly about international refugee
laws, human rights law and legal instruments, but also I've expanded
the sphere of my knowledge about the world affairs. It is definitely
worth taking the test. I will recommend it to many. Et dernier
mot, Bonne chance a tout le monde et j'espere d'ecouter de
bonnes nouvelles !! Yong |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 18 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 02:23 pm:
|
|
so, guys, how was it? There are rumors flying in the air
that last year it was way much difficult than now. Anyone taking the
test both this and last year? Jeyran - what are your impressions?
What were the questions? - just curious.
By the way,
more than a year has passed since we took the hardest test in 2005.
Still nothing... |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 09:15 am:
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|
Gagulya, I'll try to give a bit of a rundown later on
what was on the test. (I'm at work now.)
In the meantime,
did anyone get the water tank question? If so, can you tell me what
it was? I wrote down something about checking condensation, but that
was just grasping at straws.
Thanks. |
Charlotte
Member Username:
Cha
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:28 pm:
|
|
Hello everyone,
for the water tank
question....Unfortunately I think I solved it last night...and not
during the test......I think you/we
should have taken half the lenght of the cilinder (1 meter), get
half the diameter (2 - to have the ray) in order to calculate the
volume...from the volume then we needed to subtract the ring (1
inch)... I prepared on lots of international law topics /
humanitarian law / Refugee Status Determination...my brain didn't
quite switch to the mathematical and logic side during the test... |
Sameer
Khan Member Username:
Sameer_khan
Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 02:48 pm:
|
|
Water tank.........
take a stone or some thing
and hit the tank. When the voice change, you will know to the water
level. Can use a stick (knowing that tank height =2), which you can
divide in different equal parts to find the approximate level.
(atleast this what I and at least three other people wrote and found
out about it when we were comparing answers)
By the
way...the two persons who blasted a bomb should be given refugee
status or not.... |
Charlotte
Member Username:
Cha
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 03:07 pm:
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|
I wrote they shouldn't... |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 10 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 04:50 pm:
|
|
Hi guys, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who's
mind blanked out at the question of the water tank... I still don't
know what they where looking for: a mathematical solution or a
practical solution (like throwing stones on the tank and listening
to the sound or something like that). Well, otherwise the test was
ok although I think that Part C with the five assignments ranging
from the damage assessment to sexual exploitation etc. wasn't too
easy. Does anyone agree with me? I think the choices were a bit odd
in some of the questions... How did you justify your choices? I
tires using some principles from the code of conduct and adding bits
and pieces of some other info to my best knowledge (hard to say how
that turned out).
I would love to hear some comments from
anyone. Love, Mari (one of the about 20 Finns who took the test
in Finland)
Ps. I think the exclusion clause applies to the
bombers since grave crimes cannot be justified with political
motives and international protection should not be used as a tool to
escape prosecution... something along those
lines. |
enrico
Member Username:
Enrico
Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 07:50 pm:
|
|
I took the test in DC > The water tank question was a
strange one and given there were three parts I looked at the
question as a way to sort out how we would come to the decision. I
put something like talking to the NGO partner, measuring the water
level together and then collectively coming up with a solution. I
don't know if this was correct. About 90% of the materials I
studied for was not even on the exam.... So common sense was key. I
hope I did well but I guess I'll just sit tight and wait. Any
one have any clue when we will find dout? |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 07:31 am:
|
|
Re: the water tank, I said to check in the morning for
condensation. (I thought we weren't supposed to be able to open it.)
I think hitting it with a rock or stick makes more sense, though.
The people who threw the bomb should definitely NOT get
refugee status, although they are free to apply for political
asylum.
For the woman who lent the ladder, I put that she
was technically at least partially responsible according to
Principle 1, but not morally responsible, whereas the two guys were
responsible on both counts. Therefore, I recommended assessing her a
token fine of one grain of food, and having the two guys split the
remaining damage.
Gagulya, as you can probably tell from the
above, the test was a mixture of real-life situations and logic.
There was also a bit of math, which surprised me a little. There was
a bit at the beginning of the second part that asked some specific
questions about UNHCR (what is a
refugee, what is persecution, etc.), but most of it was very general
in nature. At the beginning there was one of those personality
assessment things - the "no right or wrong answer" tests that
everyone tries to figure out the "right" answer
anyway. |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 07:51 am:
|
|
Enrico,
I asked when we would hear something, and
they wouldn't say or even make a guess. I read someone above say
they still have not heard from last year. Has anyone from last year
heard, positive or negative?
BTW, one question they did
answer was how many people were taking the test - around 1400
worldwide. |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 08:59 am:
|
|
Hi guys,
Nice to read all these comments. I have
to say that it was one of the most weird exam I had ever taken in my
life. Especially the personality assessment part. I mean it was a
bit hard to distribute accurate points. Plus I think they tested our
memories to, coz exactly the same statement poped up few times.
Finally, as MJG points out, if there is no "right" or "wrong" answer
I have no clue how they give us this 30 mark?!
Gagulya, as
you can imagine now, all questions were based on case studies
testing our logic. A deep knowledge of UNHCR as last
year was not required at all.
MJG, I agree with you on the
people throwing bomb would NOT get refugee status and this ladder
case, two guys are responsible because of both being careless. Do
think they required us general definitions of the terms such as
persecution, protection in the A part? Or we should have related
these definitions to the passage?
Question: I just wonder if
there was ONLY ONE "right" or " wrong" choice in answering in part
C? Because I guess if we backed up our choice with a reasonable
reason, then we would be justified for a mark. Any idea?
Also any idea when we will get the results?
Thanks
all! Good luck again! J. |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 12:35 pm:
|
|
Jeyran,
I think terms such as persecution, etc.
have specific definitions, but as I recall, we were supposed to
relate them to the passage somehow.
I think the idea of Part
C was not only to come up with the "right" choice, but to make a
convincing case for our choices. For example, I almost put that the
two guys were solely responsible for the ladder incident, but I
didn't think you could completely rule out the principles stated at
the beginning, so I felt like all three shared responsibility under
the parameters given. But like I said above, Cecilia didn't "really"
share in the responsibility, so I just gave her a token punishment.
I'm sure someone could have made just as convincing a case that only
the two guys were responsible.
Some were pretty obvious,
though, such as the staff members accused of accepting sexual favors
in return for supplies. There was no way you could let those people
stay in close proximity to their accusers.
BTW, what did you
think of the guy (allegedly) driving the UNHCR vehicle
drunk? I said that the allegations went beyond "unconventional
behavior", and that he should be confronted immediately, and his
driving priveleges revoked until the truth could be determined.
As for the results, look at my previous post. I don't think
they have a clue. (But if someone has any other info, by all means
pass it on.) For one thing, so much of this test was subjective that
it's going to take a long time to grade, and they have 1400 of
them... so don't hold your breath. |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 11 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 01:21 pm:
|
|
The code of conduct specifically says that no UNHCR employee
should engage in any illegal behaviour and should respect the laws
of the country. Now as I see it, drunk-driving is illegal and the
guy who did it, should be confronted immediately.
I also
thought about part C and whether or not it has only one right answer
to each case/question. I don't think so, but then again I'm not sure
at all.
I agree with you Jeyran that the test was kinda
weird. I don't think it really tested knowledge about refugee issues
(except of course for the definitions which would require at least
basic knowledge). I don't know what they want...
As to the
personality test, they ALWAYS have the same kind of statements over
and over again. They don't really test your memory as much as they
test how you relate the same statement to different statements and
how you give your points. It might also test your consistency in
part. The personality tests are always really weird. At least this
one didn't have statements like "I enjoy putting my feet to muddy
soil and seeing the mud burst through my toes" or "I like caressing
bronze statues" (these examples of actual statements in a
personality test that I took last year as part of the Junior
Professional Officer test!!!!!!!!!!!!).
I hope they don't
take forever with the results but I'm afraid they will
We'll just need to be patient I guess.
-M- |
Peter Lam
Member Username:
Mandella
Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 09:26 pm:
|
|
Hi all, I thought part one was pretty subjective. It
all depends on your cultural background and whoever grades it will
also be influenced by their cultural background. They will be better
off giving everyone 30% on that part. As to the other parts, the
some were reasonable, others were just a kids game. They don't make
sense in real refugee life situations. Like the tank question for
example, it happens all the time in the camps, and the only way to
know is to open the bloody thing or hit it with something to know if
it were empty. Those who said hit the tank are right in the real
life situation of camps, but you could be wrong by those behind the
desk in Geneva. Overall, we should wait. We are not running
anywhere. After all, it is not a guarantee for anything. Thanks,
Mandella |
Cheets
Member Username:
Cheets
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, June 02, 2006 - 06:34 am:
|
|
Guys, for those that took the test and are talking about
the questions, can you please post the question (from your memory)
so that others that didn't take the test can follow along and
prepare ourselves for next years test (when I'm hoping to write it)
Thanks! |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, June 03, 2006 - 02:36 am:
|
|
gotta love the way these lurkers starts surfacing after
the exam! Thanks for your input and constructive dialogue! (I am
being sarcastic btw) I've been offline to study and hanging out
w/ friends for the last bit and having a good time. here are my
two cents. i) Yeah, tank question was strange. Realitically I
should be able to transfer some water to a jerry-can or something to
check the difference. Actually I have seen pictures of those tanks
in a photo exhibit of a Chadian camp. They didn't look
metallic..alas it may be just something to throw us off.
ii)
Personality test was a bit corporate. UNHCR, of
course, has its own corporate culture too. But ultimately an
organization cannot have just one type of employees. I wouldn't
worry about that too much.
iii)Overall the questions were
very fair. The results will probably be very tight and not much
variance. I am inclined to think that they spent more effort on
screening in the first round and the test is just to make sure you
know what you are talking about. For those who didn't take it, you
have limited space for each response. It is counted by characters
rather than words, which is somewhat unconventional...and that is
probably because the code they have only knows how to count
characters when they are too lazy to put in an extra line of code to
count words instead. The drafting exercise, where you summarised a
report within 1000 characters was good I think. I think that will be
the difference maker for a lot of test-takers.
iv) A lot of
the questions are to determine to what extent you follow things by
the book and whether you can think on your feet. We say that most
plans don't survive first contact. I would rather work with someone
who can "roll with the punches" and prioritize in a crisis
situation. If the fire broke out and looting and anarchy ensued, are
you positioned for extraction and intel? are you provisioned for
survival? Can you take control of a situation and report to
headquarters? This will come with experience but I sure hope my
fellow workers aren't going to base everything on the rulebook.
Cheets, feel free to send me a private message and we can
talk more. I am not sure what you want, I wouldn't worry too much
about it. and yeah, Go Oilers! (I grew up there and was there the
last time we won.) |
Lise
Noblet Member Username:
Dijonrouge
Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, June 03, 2006 - 03:05 pm:
|
|
Hello everyone,
To those who took the 2006 IPR, don't be
too optimistic. Just to remind you that those who passed the 2005 IPR test are
still waiting to be appointed in the field ! A long way to go... |
Lise
Noblet Member Username:
Dijonrouge
Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, June 03, 2006 - 03:09 pm:
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Where are you Wow and Vugar ? Any news fron the HR
department ? Still waiting for a job with UNHCR ? As
far as I am concerned, I have decided to forget them and the 2005
test. I'm soon leaving Europe for Afghanistan where I'll be working
for an NGO.It only took me three months to find a job in the
field... Nothing to do with UNHCR. |
Mari
Koskinen Member Username:
Mari
Post Number: 12 Registered: 03-2006
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Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 04:30 pm:
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Hi Lisa, how did you find the job? What's your
profession/education? Good luck on the field, I'm hoping to work on
the field some day as well, with the UNHCR or another
agency. I just took the 2006 IPR and I'm not
too optimistic about ever getting a job through that channel
although I guess you never know
-M- |
abc def
Member Username:
User2006
Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 06:10 pm:
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I have been shortlisted for a phone interview for an IT
postition in Africa with the UN. Most of my experience is from the
private sector and would appreciate any information and tips about
the process. my email address 100roses@gmail.com thanks! |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 19 Registered: 04-2006
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Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 03:12 am:
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No news from UNHCR for more
than a year after we received the PASS letter and got overexcited.
It is really depressing. We should have not relied on it and looked
for other jobs elsewhere. This can really take forever.
Persecution and prosecution are different things.
Also, two different things are international human rights
law and international humanitarian law.
Regarding the bomb
throwers. Refugee is a refugee and terrorist is a terrorist. If a
Kurd who faces persecution in Saddam's Iraq arrives in Germany,
applies for the refugee status there and then starts throwing bombs,
his place is in German jail. After serving term and "paying all
bills" to society, he goes out of the prison clean and... remains
refugee. Because extraditing him to the country of origin will still
mean exposing him to persecution for the reason of.... etc. etc.
etc. as stipulated in the Geneva Convention. The exclusion clause
applies to those who commited not just a crime, not even a serious
crime, but PARTICULARLY SERIOUS CRIME. And what this "particularly
serious crime" means is up the the court to decide and constitutes
usually a very lengthy and complicated judicial review. Therefore,
the countries rarely use this clase to kick out the "bad-guy"
refugees. It is always easier to keep the person in the jail in your
ountry than expose yourself to international criticism for the
refoulement.
Enjoyed it? You should have not. This knowledge
really doesn't mean anything when you take the test, pass it and
then desperately wait for one year in
vain... |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2006
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Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 01:57 pm:
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This side of the pond (btw, aren't we all "this side of
the pond"),
I suppose I'm guilty of what you're talking
about (although I did post a few times before the test). I won't
speak for the others, but not having taken the test last year, I
really didn't have much to contribute before. Now that I have taken
it, I'm happy to share my experiences, either for those who take it
next year, or for those who took it this year and want to compare
answers. If that's useful for someone, great. If not, I don't see
the harm.
abc_def, good luck with the interview. I have a
friend who has been going back and forth to Darfur with OCHA doing
computer work, and it has been a mixed bag. They work 15 hours a day
(there's nothing else to do), he's been on three-month contracts,
but he thinks he may have a shot at a fixed-term UN post here in
Geneva, which he wouldn't have known about if not for this. So who's
to say? The main question I would have is whether or not it is a
fixed-term position. If it's short-term, watch
out. |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2006
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Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 01:59 pm:
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BTW, is there ANYONE out there who took the test last
year and has heard anything at all - pass, fail, on the roster, not
on the roster, job interview, whatever? I can't see them going to
all this trouble for nothing. |
abc def
Member Username:
User2006
Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 08:11 am:
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MJG, thanks for responding. If you know more about
what kind of work he's doing please let me know. I know it would be
different from site to site, but I'm just curious what's IT like in
the UN in Africa. Do they have Unix or just running Microsoft OS?...
Well, I'll find more about this in my interview...
But I
wonder as an IT person, how much focus on the interview would be
about the UN core values, humanatarian issues... about not IT stuff.
I do understand to work for an organization like the UN, I need to
be able to fit in and understand their work. I guess I'm just
curious/nervous about how the interview will
be.... |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2006
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Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 10:47 am:
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abc, I'm not sure what kind of systems they use. I know
most of the computers at the Palais des Nations (Geneva UN
headquarters) use Windows, but there are also a few Mac users who
work on publications.
One thing the UN is big on these days
is mobility. You have to be willing to go wherever they send you. I
would watch for this at the interview. I'm sure they'll find some
way to broach the subject. They may not ask you directly. It may be
something like "do you like to travel, or would you prefer to stay
in one place?" If they ask something like that, you always like to
travel. Other than that, I'm afraid I have no idea what to tell you
for the interview.
Is this for a fixed-term position? If
not, be ready to be unemployed at the end of your contract. It might
not happen. In fact, I know people who have been working in UN
organizations for more than 15 years with short-term contracts, but
it's always a precarious situation. Short-term contracts might be a
good way for someone at the beginning of his career to get his foot
in the door of the UN system, but if you've got a halfway decent job
now, I wouldn't leave it unless I had a fixed-term contract. |
abc def
Member Username:
User2006
Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 02:29 pm:
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MJG, Thanks for the info. I don't think it's a short
term contract position... I'm not married and don't have a dog or
anything so I'm willing to go wherever work sends me!
I am
just hoping I don't get a watertank type of question |
per
stafanson Member Username:
Iprcarpenter
Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 03:10 pm:
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Anybody out there work their way through an MA in
Development as a carpenter?
how about... 1.make sure
flow of water is turned off at base of tank (outflow). 2.attach
3 meters of clear plastic tubing to outflow of tank. make sure other
end of tubing is firmly capped. open outflow. 3.hold plastic
tubing next to the water tank, with the capped top well-above the
top of the tank. remove the cap....where the water finds it's level
in the plastic tubing will correspond to where the water level is
inside the tank...
just a thought. |
Rukaya
Mohammed Member Username:
Yakruk
Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Friday, June 09, 2006 - 05:37 pm:
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I just wrote the IPR 2006 and I
want to know if any one has an idea how long it takes for the
results of the test to be announced.
Cheers, Ruki |
This side of the pond Member Username:
Cosmocrat
Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2006
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Posted on Friday, June 09, 2006 - 08:55 pm:
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MJG (and others): I am not hating, i am just making light
of the situation. As I have said in an earlier post getting in or
not doesn't really matter. I hoped to see a community here of sorts,
the development world is really small afterall..
abd def:
everybody works on contracts. In fact, some VERY high ranking
officials have worked with gaps in their contracts, at least in
Geneva. (don't ask me how I know). Once again this is off the
record, but different UN agencies use different systems. I have seen
Novell and Windows, Domino servers and some Exchange servers. More
Apache than IIS. You ought to know what you are doing if you are
interviewing. good luck. |
abc def
Member Username:
User2006
Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 10:16 am:
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Iprcarpenter: What a great response. I already have
memorized it! It makes me feel so much more confident for the
interview. I really hope that they ask me the watertank question -
it'll be an easy point.
Thanks Cosmocrat for the info. I
thought the UN only used Lotus Notes as their email client, and not
Exchange. Are they using Oracle or MS SQL Server...?
Thanks! |
bebe_de_hcr
Member Username:
Bebe_de_hcr
Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 12:47 pm:
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Ruki: I think it won't be earlier than July 1, 2006. At
this moment UNSSC is recruiting consultants for checking the test.
Have a look at the following:
Consultant position at UNSSC
(several positions, local recruitment)
Activity title:
Marking of Entry-tests to the IPR 2006
Contract Duration: 12 - 23 June 2006 (10 days) Remuneration:
USD 230/day upon successful completion of the assignment
Location: UNSSC, Turin Deadline for applications: 26 May
2006
Terms of Reference
Project Background
United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) is contracted by
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to
implement the UNHCR Entry-test
to its International Professional Roster (IPR) 2006.
One component of the Entry-test consists of an ability
assessment, whereby applicants have to construct responses to
essay-type of questions. The marking of the ability assessment will
be undertaken together by UNSSC and UNHCR personnel
who will use standardised marking rubrics.
Accordingly, the
UNSSC is inviting consultants to perform marking services according
to the specifications below.
Job Description
Under
the overall supervision of the UNSSC Project Manager, the Consultant
will work in team under the technical guidance of the UNHCR Team
Advisor. The Consultant will serve as Test Marker and is responsible
for the marking of essay-type of test answers. In particular:
o To mark test answers;
o To report the results
on a relevant form;
o To consult with the Team Advisor on
issues related to tests;
o Other duties as assigned by the
UNSSC Project Manager.
Deliverables
o Consultant
is expected to mark an equivalent of 20 tests or more per day as
determined by the project manager.
Requirements
o
University degree in law, political sciences, social sciences,
administration and other relevant fields. Experience in academia an
advantage; o Experience in marking test answers, particularly
IPR or
similar tests would be highly desirable;
o Experience
within the UN system and/or other international organisation is an
advantage;
o Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of
French language desirable.
How to Apply
Please
submit a P-11 form duly completed no later than 26 May 2006 by email
to the following email address: recruitment@unssc.org
Please note that applications received after the deadline
will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be
acknowledged. |
Rukaya
Mohammed Member Username:
Yakruk
Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 04:44 pm:
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bebe_de_hcr: Your response was very helpful. I will keep
my fingures crossed till July first. Cheers,
Ruki |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2006
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Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 10:45 am:
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TSOTP, No problem. I have to admit that I, like most
people probably, came to this site for purely mercenary purposes,
but find it an interesting bunch of people and will try to check in
from time to time.
bebe_de_hcr, thanks for that very
interesting post. As I mentioned above, they told us there were 1400
people taking the test worldwide, so if each grader scores 20 tests
per day for 10 days, that means they'll probably hire seven graders,
and should have no problem finishing by their deadline, 23 June.
Although as with any UN organization, I'm sure they can find
hundreds of reasons to delay reporting the results, for the first
time I'm actually optimistic that we may hear something in the
not-too-distant future. I've seen all the negative comments about
how people still haven't heard from last year, etc., so I don't want
to be too pollyanna-ish, but maybe HCR has learned something from
last year and has their act together this year - I can dream,
anyway. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 20 Registered: 04-2006
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Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 01:15 pm:
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Rukaya Mohammed, don't expect any answer to your email.
They never reply.
MJG, I took the test last year and passed
it together with many other applicants. Nothing happened ever since.
I am in touch with many guys from 2005, and I don't know and haven't
heard of anyone who got posted. I am afriad, none of us got the job.
So, guys, take a deep breath and cool down. Two-three weeks of delay
with the results of your test is nothing compare to more than a year
of sitting and waiting in vain for all of us who passed it past
year. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 21 Registered: 04-2006
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Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 01:17 pm:
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This Side of the Pond,
If you are working there,
could you tell me what is going on there with this IPR. I can send
you a private email and promise to keep everything "between us". |
Soccer
Member Username:
Soccer2006
Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006
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Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 06:24 pm:
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This Side of the Pond or any UNHCR insider:
I am curious about one element of the hiring process at UNHCR (not
necessarily through IPR). If you are
interviewed for a position by a panel of 5 people from Geneva, do
you expect to hear back one way or the other (whether you got the
job or not)? I know if you submitted a resume applying for a
position and never got contacted then forget it, but if you were
interviewed for an hour, I assume they should say "sorry you did not
get the job". Is this is a true assumption?
I really
appreciate your help in answering this
question. |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2006
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Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 12:46 pm:
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Soccer, I don't know about UNHCR, but I've
interviewed with several UN organizations, and once I get to the
interview stage, I've always heard back, yes or no, but sometimes it
takes a while. FAO took more than a year, for example. Other people
I know have had similar experiences with other organizations. I
would say as a matter of protocol there's nothing wrong with
dropping them an e-mail and asking what's going on.
If
someone does know something about UNHCR hiring
practices, I've got another question, which Soccer sort of alludes
to. Concerning the jobs they have advertised on their Web site, they
don't say anything specifically about having to be on the IPR roster. Is
this a requirement? If so, I wonder why they list them publicly like
that. If not, I wonder what the point of the roster
is. |
Soccer
Member Username:
Soccer2006
Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 02:16 am:
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Thanks MJG. And you think someone would respond to your
email???????????????????????????????????? Forget it! Well
the good news is that this means that I am still in till I hear
otherwise!! The jobs that the IPR candidates
on the roster see are the ones that are never advertised on the
website. So you are basically competing with UNHCR employees
and you get access to positions that no one else
sees. |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2006
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Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 06:52 am:
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Soccer, thanks for the HCR hiring info.
I have to
disagree with your first statement, however. I don't know about UNHCR, but in
several situations in other oranizations, including a job I
eventually got (sorry, won't say where), I was in regular e-mail
contact. Of course, it was usually something like, "Sorry, no news."
But I usually had a pretty good idea of whether or not something was
still in the works.
But if you don't feel comfortable doing
so, I wouldn't. Other than satisfying your curiosity, there's
nothing to be gained. And like you said, you're still in the running
until you hear otherwise. Good luck, and let us know what happens. |
queen
Member Username:
Queen
Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:15 am:
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|
I took the test this year, apparently a large number,
maybe 80-95% of people taking the test were UNHCR employees
already and i talked to someone who mentioned that from 2005IPR
test, 5 of his collegues got the jobs within 1-2 months after the
results were out. So maybe the employees of UNHCR in other
forms of contracts get first priority. |
abc def
Member Username:
User2006
Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2006
|
Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 06:53 pm:
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|
MJG, You said you've interviewed with several UN
organizations. Were they day-long interviews or one-hour interviews?
Some organizations do one-hour interviews and I just can't
understand how they can really get to know the skills of a candidate
in one hour and make a decision. I wonder how common 1-hour
interviews are. It just seems too short... To really succeed in such
an interview you have to be strategic and answer quickly and give
short responses... No pauses to think or slowtalking because then
you loose time to let them know who you
are... |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 13 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 12:50 pm:
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abc_def, they are all different. At CBTBO in Vienna I
went through an all-dayer, going from office to office. In fact, it
became somewhat of a joke because all the candidates were being
shuffled through the same offices, and it became obvious as we kept
passing each other in the halls what was happening.
I did a
phone interview with FAO in Rome. A friend of mine did a
videoconference interview with them from the States.
I've
done several interviews here in Geneva (the organizations shall
remain nameless). They're all a little different, and there's no
overriding theme. I would say that in general, interviewing in the
UN system is not that different from private sector, except that a
lot more organizations have tests (not always so formal or on so
grand a scale as HCR), and, it always takes a.......
lotttttttt.......... lonnnnnnngggggerrrrr....... for them to make a
decision. If you're in a hurry, don't look in the UN system. |
C Megias
Member Username:
Ole_ole
Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 06:28 pm:
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|
Hello everyone!!!
For those of you belonging to
IPR 2005, I
am sure you remember me; it is a long time that I do not write
anymore, byt really, it made me sad to still going on talking about
something that i took with so much hope and ended like the Rosario
de la aurora (in Spanish, impossible to translate); I also past the
IPR last year
with a high mark even, and since then I have received like 15 mails
asking me to express my inetrest in P2 positions (my grade)in the
most varied places; I have promptly responded to all those mails,
but nothing, zero, niente, nada de nada, not even something to tell
me do not worry and keep waiting. I did not even answer their last
mail. These people from the UN are really incompetent,
thieves,everything works under the table...I am very sad but thank
god I am now working in something (better)else. I would say
that, unless that you are working already with UNHCR with a
normal contract, it is impossible to wait any result; no offer woill
get to your mail inbox. It is sad but it is the truth; otherwise,
how many of the IPRs out there from last year got an offer?????
sorry to say this, but better look for some other option |
abc def
Member Username:
User2006
Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2006
|
Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:18 am:
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|
From my limited experience of looking for a job with the
UN, I have to say that I have nothing but respect. The whole
experience for me was professional. There are very limited job
opponings and just too many candidates so they are not able to
provide good feedback to everybody they want. I studied IT and my
competition pool is a lot smaller. For humanatarian work I believe
the competion is a lot harder - people from so many different
majors, and even lawyers, MBA and PHD graduates are your
competitors. When I travelled in Africa I met someone who studied
law working for an NGO on a rabbit project and creating a cartoon
manual to teach the local people how to take care of the rabbits,
and how they reproduce...
Well, back to my original point.
The competition is hard. And we're competing with people from
everywhere in the world - with people with lots of international
experience or who speak 10 languages or more. Have you guys checked
out the UNV website to become a UN volunteer? That looks pretty
interesting but its also very competitive to get in. But if I don't
get this post I interviewed for I think I will give up on this UN
route and look for a job elsewhere. My interview was pretty easy but
I did not do a great job - I was coming down with a fever and I was
not focused enough... I did not realize how short one hour is. I
think it's easier to find a job in the private sector because the
non-profit sector has actually a lot more
competition... |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 22 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 06:06 pm:
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C Megias, I am also from the last year IPR. Nothing
yet... A lot of emails inviting to express interest with no fruit. |
MJG
Member Username:
Test_taking_guy
Post Number: 15 Registered: 05-2006
|
Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 01:34 pm:
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|
Does anyone know when we're supposed to hear some
results? I was looking at last year's thread, and it was about a
month and a half after the test. (Apparently, they had said it would
take about a month.) I guess they're (as GWB so eloquently put it)
covering their asses by not saying how long it's supposed to take
this year.
If anyone hears anything - positive or negative -
would they be kind enough to share it with the rest of us? I'll
certainly do so if I hear something.
Thanks |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 07:54 pm:
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|
I got positive answer from UNHCR but I
don't know where I would work or pass interview. And
you |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 23 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 01:14 am:
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Josue, what do you mean by getting the positive answer?
Did they inform you that you passed the test? As far as I know, this
year's IPR
candidates have not received the results yet. Could you write more
about what kind of positive answer you have got from UNHCR? Thanks a
bunch! |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 01:38 pm:
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|
That's right, Gagulya, we haven't received anything yet.
Guess they will inform us this week. Josua, I also wonder what you
mean by positive answer. Did you get an email?
Thanks! |
Josue
Janey Member Username:
Jane
Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2006
|
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 06:23 pm:
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|
Hello! Don't wait for the answer from UNHCR. They
inform someone who passed and the others...You know, the entry test
is the way to eliminate some of the candidates because those who
have been retained for the test are automaticaly candidate for IPR. If you come
rom the country which contributed much for instance Scandinavian
countries or Canada, you will be retained. I joked I did not get any
answer from UNHCR...No one
from poor countries will pass. |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 12:07 pm:
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Gosh! Josue, I almost lost all my hope which is very
little anyway! Good sense of humour, have to say!
J. |
Gagulya Mehelleushaqi Member Username:
Gagulya
Post Number: 24 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 03:14 pm:
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That's not true, Josh. A lot of people from 3rd world
countries passed last year... |
Jeyran
Member Username:
Jeyjey
Post Number: 11 Registered: 04-2006
|
Posted on Sunday, July 02, 2006 - 09:52 am:
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|
Plus, lot of people who didn't pass got an email with the
score last
year... |