{"id":28202,"date":"2025-02-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/?p=28202"},"modified":"2026-04-03T13:20:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T11:20:47","slug":"the-top-skills-the-un-wants-and-the-master-in-international-development-provides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/the-top-skills-the-un-wants-and-the-master-in-international-development-provides\/","title":{"rendered":"Top skills to work in the UN: Career advice from an expert"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/span> 3<\/span> min read<\/span><\/span>\n

From the start of his professional relationship with the United Nations<\/a> as an intern in 1999 to his top role in the learning and development field today, Jes\u00fas Guerrero Buitrago<\/a> knows what skills the UN are looking for. Read on for insights on how to work in the UN and other international development<\/a> organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insights on what it’s like to work in the UN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A self-described lifelong learner, Jes\u00fas is now the Chief of the Management and Communication Unit<\/a> at the Centre for Learning and Multilingualism<\/a> for the United Nations Office at Geneva. If you’re looking for a career in international development<\/a>, skills that are essential according to Jes\u00fas are inspirational leadership, collaboration and great communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLeading in times of uncertainty has become the new normal,\u201d said Jes\u00fas in an interview earlier this year. \u201cI believe that real leadership is about supporting and inspiring people so that they can become their own leaders in anything they are responsible for. Leadership is a state of mind, an attitude, a mindset. You can influence and persuade others when you are connected to your own values and emotions, and you can develop your charisma using different tools and techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The perfect profile to work in the UN: Skills for success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what does it take to work in the UN or other international development organizations? According to Jes\u00fas, it has to do with the type of position you apply for. \u201cDepending on the level of experience, if it\u2019s a junior or mid-level candidate, we are going to be more focused on technical skills. If it\u2019s more related to senior positions<\/a>, we are going to be focused on leadership, decision making and soft skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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