CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Volunteers to Represent APA and Psychology at the United Nations in New York

APA is seeking applications from psychologists in the greater New York area to join the APA NGO representative team at the United Nations.

APA has consultative status with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) as one of many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) whose goals overlap with those of the UN.
APA has appointed a team of psychologists who serve as their NGO representatives at the UN headquarters in New York. These psychologists participate in a wide range of activities to strengthen psychology’s impact on UN policies and programs. They collaborate with other NGO representatives to identify issues, organize programs, and draft statements that bring psychological science and a psychological perspective to bear on global policies and programs. Representatives also foster dialogue and information exchange between psychologists and UN diplomats and representatives of UN agencies.

The NGO representative team consists of the following: One Main Representative and five Representatives to ECOSOC who visit the UN to attend committee meetings and pursue program objectives on a regular weekly basis, one Representative to DPI who attends regular DPI briefings and who works with the Office of International Affairs to report to APA about UN current and future events; and up to three Associate Representatives who engage in special projects under the direction of the Main Representative.

APA’s representation at the UN is led by Florence Denmark, PhD (APA Main Representative) and overseen by APA’s Committee on International Relations (CIRP).

Position Descriptions
Please note – these are volunteer positions. APA covers UN committee dues, representation costs at organized UN events, and transportation expenses to the UN (public transportation or parking).

APA-NGO representatives to ECOSOC
Two positions will be open with appointments beginning January, 2009, each with a renewable term of 5 years. Representatives are expected to attend regular meetings of the APA team (typically once a month at UN headquarters), to join and attend UN NGO committee meetings, to make contact with UN diplomatic representation and staff when possible and to participate in the planning for the annual Psychology Day. The time commitment is generally one day per week, usually Thursdays.

APA-NGO representative to DPI
One position will be open with appointment beginning January, 2009, for an renewable term of 5 years. The DPI representative is expected to attend the regular meetings of the APA team, to attend the weekly DPI briefings, and to convey regular reports to the UN team and to APA about current and upcoming UN activities such as initiatives, events, “days”, “years” and “decades” to enable APA involvement. The time commitment is generally one day per week; availability on Thursdays is particularly important.

General
APA Representatives are expected to work in at least one substantive program area covered by UN Commissions and Committees --such as ageing, science and technology, refugees, racism, children and families, mental health, human rights -- and to work with the Office of International Affairs and other APA offices to develop substantive input in the form of position papers, petitions or fact sheets, or to develop and arrange for APA contributions to UN workshops, seminars, side events,  and the like. Representatives consult regularly with the APA Main Representative, to whom they submit regular written reports for inclusion in the UN representative team’s semiannual reports to APA, and with other APA team members. The APA representatives serve as conduits between UN activities and APA expertise, and are expected to inform APA of opportunities to provide input on issues on which psychologists have expertise.

Requirements

• Residence in or near New York is essential.
  Representatives must visit UN Headquarters each week, and must attend the monthly APA representatives’ meeting. In addition representatives are encouraged to attend at least one of the weekly DPI briefings each month. Applicants must live within 50 miles of the UN headquarters. Applicants outside this area will not be considered.
• The position is a volunteer position.
  APA reimburses representatives for local travel in New York City (including travel to NYC from suburban areas) on public transportation and/or reimburses parking costs.
• Applicants must hold a doctoral degree and be APA members. Candidates must also:
• Have experience that strongly identifies with the work of at least one of APA's four directorates: science, education, practice or public interest.
• Show an interest or involvement in the application of psychological science to social issues at the international, national or local level.
• Be culturally sensitive and have experience working with people from other cultures.
• Take an inclusive approach to the use of psychological research to help shape policy.
• Have effective oral and writing skills.
• Exercise personal initiative and work collaboratively with others who may hold different viewpoints or interests.
• Demonstrate a diplomatic and effective interpersonal style.
• Communicate regularly by e-mail.

Other attributes, such as proficiency in a foreign language, experience living outside the United States, or knowledge of the UN system are helpful, but are not required. The psychologists on the APA team will provide an orientation to the UN system and the NGO role to new representatives.

CIRP welcomes applications from psychologists of diverse backgrounds and at all stages of their careers.

Applications are due March 1, 2008.

To apply, submit an application letter and curriculum vitae (here via email) to APA's Office of International Affairs or to the Office of International Affairs, 750 First Street NE, Washington DC 20002.

The application letter should include a brief statement of interest, comment on how the applicant's background meets the position's requirements, and identify the issues on which the candidate might wish to work. In this section, CIRP anticipates that applicants will be specific with reference to ongoing or upcoming UN activities within the NGO purview. CIRP will review applications and may request further information.

Please direct questions to Dr. Merry Bullock, Senior Director, APA Office of International Affairs; (202) 336-6024; here via email.