Call for Applications:
Volunteer to Represent APA
and Psychology at the United Nations in New York

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

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-appointed representatives work within the NGO community at the UN headquarters in New York. Based on APA advocacy goals and priorities, APA representatives collaborate with other NGO representatives and APA offices and governance 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 APA and UN diplomats and representatives of UN agencies, and serve as APA’s conduit for information about the United Nations

The APA NGO team includes:

• 5 Representatives to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• 2 Representatives to the UN Department of Public Information (DPI)

In addition, APA representatives may be joined by Associate Representatives who are appointed to work on special projects, and student interns who assist the APA team in meeting planning and logistics.

For 2010, APA has three open positions:

One position for Representative to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). ECOSOC representatives are expected to work within the NGO community to join one or more of the several NGO committees that parallel ECOSOC concerns (e.g., Status of Women, HIV/AIDS, Children and Families, Mental Health, and so on). Representatives attend committee meetings and pursue program objectives on a regular weekly basis.

Two positions for Representatives to the Department of Public Information (DPI). DPI representatives are expected to serve an informational function within the NGO community and to be a conduit for information to APA about UN activities and events and a source of information to DPI about the possible contributions of APA and psychological science to UN priorities and goals. DPI representatives are expected to attend weekly DPI briefings at the UN and to work with the ECOSOC representatives and with the Office of International Affairs to report to APA about UN current and future events. DPI representatives may also join the UN NGO committees that parallel ECOSOC concerns.

APA’s representation at the United Nations is led by a Main Representative appointed as chair of the APA team with oversight by APA’s Committee on International Relations (CIRP).  

Position Descriptions

Please note: These are volunteer positions. APA covers UN/NGO committee dues, representation costs at organized UN events, and local transportation expenses to the UN headquarters in Manhattan (public transportation or parking).

APA-NGO Representative to ECOSOC:
One position.
Appointment begins January, 2010, for a renewable 5-year term, with review at the end of the first year. ECOSOC Representatives are expected to attend regular meetings of the APA team, typically once a month at UN headquarters; to join at least one UN NGO committee and attend its meetings, generally on a weekly basis; to make contact with UN diplomatic representations and staff when possible, and to organize and participate in the annual Psychology Day at the United Nations. APA representatives are expected to assume leadership positions in the UN NGO committees. The time commitment is a minimum of one day per week.

APA-NGO Representative to DPI:
Two positions.
Appointment begins January, 2010, for a renewable 5-year term, with review at the end of the first year. DPI representatives are expected to attend the regular meetings of the APA team; to attend the weekly DPI briefings; 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; to help organize and participate in the annual Psychology Day at the United Nations, and to join NGO committees as appropriate. The time commitment is one day per week.

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, or 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, and side events. 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 and relevant scientific information.

Requirements

1. Residence in or near New York City (within 50 miles) 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 in Manhattan. Applicants outside this area will not be considered.
2. 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.
3. 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.
   • 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 especially welcomes applications from psychologists of diverse backgrounds and at earlier stages of their careers.

Applications are due July 31, 2009.

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

Applications should specify whether they are for the ECOSOC position or the DPI positions. 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.