Iowa YPIC

Dave Loebsack prepares for Congress

2006-12-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Dave Loebsack, Cornell College Political Science professor and current Board member of the Iowa United Nations Association recently unseated 30 year incumbant, Jim Leach, in this fall's mid-term elections. Loebsack, a long-time supporter of the United Nations is eager to hear from young adults in Eastern Iowa about what matters to them. If you have an opinion about the war in Iraq, multilateralism, Iran's nuclear program or Darfur, stay tuned. Loebsack is coming to a YPIC venue near you!

YPIC forms at Mt. Mercy College!

2006-12-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

A new YPIC group is forming at Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids! Thanks to the dedication of Iowa UNA intern Andrea Alexander, YPIC will kick off on January 15th with a three day international film festival featuring movies on the topic of international human trafficking. All films will begin at 7 pm at Busse Hall on Mt. Mercy campus.

Following the January 16th film, Kate Karacay from the Iowa UNA state-wide office will host a short informational sesion on ways students can get involved, making the YPIC chapter official, and events students can host to educate the campus about global issues and the United Nations.

Please join us and bring a friend!

Job Opening at UNA-USA national office

2006-08-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

EVENT PLANNING COORDINATOR – Education Department (posted 8/23/06)

UNA-USA seeks a dynamic and well-organized individual with Model United Nations and event planning experience to plan Model UN events. The individual in this position plans and executes all aspects of the Education Department’s events that attract from 300 to 2500 middle and high school aged participants. Responsibilities include:

Event planning and execution:

· Determine all facets of event logistics, staffing (volunteers, presenters and UNA-USA employees) and guest management, set time-lines, establish budgets and set pricing for each event

· Identify, evaluate and select venue for event and negotiate venue contract

· Identify and negotiate contracts for providers of food, lodging, A/V equipment, promotional materials and other services and supplies

· Create text for invitations and website, create on-line forms for staff and participants and organize event mailings

· Work with publications team to design event related materials including promotional materials and handouts

· Meet with program managers/directors to coordinate details for the event

· Determine staffing requirements (volunteers, presenters and UNA-USA staff), create job descriptions, recruit volunteers and presenters, assign positions, create timelines, provide training, arrange travel, and provide handouts and presentation materials

· Provide outreach to ensure participation goals are met

· Manage all aspect of communication to staff, participants and other constituents

· Create and send invoices to participants and update financial databases

· Work with department’s publications team on event program

· Promote and market event and solicit and coordinate placement of ads in event program

· Create conference materials (handouts, name badges, table tents etc.)

· Pack and ship materials to ensure that all conference materials reach the venue on time

· Provide on-site management during the event

· Conduct debriefing following event, write thank-you notes and review evaluations

Other responsibilities:

· Update databases

· Field general questions about Education department’s events

· Create volunteer newsletter

Candidates must have excellent time-management, organizational, written and oral skills; experience with web site design; and event and travel planning experience. A bachelor’s degree and five years of Model UN experience as a delegate and/or conference organizer are required. Candidates must be customer service-oriented and able to work effectively in a team. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and web design software is required.

This is a grant-funded position. Please fax your resume, cover letter and salary requirements to 212-682-9185. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Website and Model UN CoordinatoR - Education Department (posted 8/23/06)

UNA-USA seeks a creative and flexible individual with Model United Nations experience to serve as a Website and Model UN Coordinator. The individual in this position manages the Education Departments portion of the organization’s website, manages databases and supports the department’s events and programs. Responsibilities include:

Website:

· Update Model UN pages on UNA-USA’s website and other websites to ensure information is current

· Manage the Virtual Model UN portion of the UNA-USA website

· Develop and manage the interactive components of the Global Classrooms website

· Update and maintain the UNA-USA’s Model UN Calendar

· Update information on Model UN listserves

· Create web-based forms for conference registration and for other uses

· Update the Model UN database and other databases as needed

Model UN:

· Field Model UN questions from the general public, volunteers, conference presenters and participants

· Oversee production and dissemination of Model UN E-News and newsletter for presenters and volunteers

· Oversee and coordinate Model UN training sessions including development of materials

· Market the department’s Model UN resources and training materials to potential Model UN participants including independent schools and suburban public schools

· Assist UNA-USA’s Communications Department with writing and editing of Education Department printed materials and online resources

Candidates must have excellent time-management, organizational, written and oral communications skills, as well as experience with website design, editing and event planning. A bachelor’s degree and five years of Model UN experience as a delegate and/or conference organizer is required. Candidates must be customer service-oriented and able to work effectively in a team. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and web design software is required.

This is a grant-funded position. Please fax your resume, cover letter and salary requirements to 212-682-9185. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Benita D. Rountree

Director of Administration and Human Resources

UNA-USA

801 Second Avenue

New York, NY 10017

212.907.1300

212.907.1384 (Direct)

212.682.9185 (Fax)

www.unausa.org

UN Special Rapporteur coming to Iowa.

2006-08-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

Iowa YPIC and the Iowa United Nations Association will sponsor a visit to the University of Iowa by Sigma Huda, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking.

Ms. Huda will speak at the University of Iowa College of Law on September 13th in the Student Lounge at 3 pm. Following her talk, light refreshments will be served and attendees will have a chance to speak personally with Ms. Huda

Ms. Huda will speak about her work with the United Nations and other international organizations in determining best practices for fighting human trafficking and maintaining the dignity of trafficking victims. She will also discuss how terrorism and immigration laws can affect trafficking patterns around the world and what governments can do to ensure traffickers are caught and trafficking victims get the help they need.

For more information about this event, please contact Kate at kate@unaiowa.org

Job opening at the United Nations

2006-08-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

United Nations HIgh Comissioner for Refugees, UNHCR

Washington, D.C.

Vacancy Announcement

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking a Protection Officer for its Regional Office in Washington, D.C.

TITLE: Protection Officer
CATEGORY / GRADE: National Professional Officer, Grade C (NO-C)

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: One-year fixed-term with possibility of renewal

OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with UNHCR Staff Rules and Regulations. This post is based in Washington, D.C. and is not subject to international rotation. Application is open to both internal and external candidates.

DUTIES:
1. Undertake the activities of the Office relating to international refugee protection;
2. Provide advice to United States officials involved in the determination of refugee status;
3. Provide protection to refugees and persons of concern to UNHCR by ensuring the observance of universally recognized principles of refugee law;

4. Monitor protection issues and coordinate with government authorities and NGOs to ensure that UNHCR is fully informed of the situation of refugees in the United States;

5. Monitor legislative developments as they affect refugees and asylum-seekers in the United States and contribute to the development of UNHCR's position in this regard;

6. Provide legal opinions and advice on international refugee law and its relationship to United States asylum law to adjudicators, government officials, and private attorneys;

7. Assist in the dissemination of refugee law with academic institutions, law enforcement officials, immigration and border authorities for effective protection of refugees and asylum-seekers;

8. Liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of ID cards, travel documents and work permits to refugees in order to facilitate movement and local integration;

9. Prepare periodic and annual reports on protection activities within the United States for submission to the head of office and headquarters;

10. Develop and conduct trainings on international refugee and human rights law;
11. Support the Office’s regional protection activities in the Caribbean through assistance with trainings and refugee status determinations;

12. Perform other duties as required.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Law degree; eight years professional work experience in the field of international refugee law and/or United States immigration law (knowledge of both required). Excellent knowledge of English required; knowledge of French and/or Spanish desired. United States citizenship required.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5 September 2006

Send cover letter, resume, and references to:

Senior Administrative Assistant

UNHCR

1775 K Street, NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20006

FAX - (202) 296-5660

E.MAIL - usawaadm@unhcr.org

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

What is YPIC?

2006-06-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

YPIC is a program of the United Nations Association (UNA) of the USA. There are hundreds of young adults involved in YPIC's all over the country, working with local UNA chapters on education of international issues and advocacy for a strong United Nations. YPIC is a great way for young adults between the ages of 21-40 to get together with other like-minded individuals to discuss important international issues facing the UN, socialize with others and network in their career field.

YPIC is not separate from local UNA chapters. All young adults who are members of YPIC are also members of their local UNA chapter. We encourage YPIC members to include UNA members in their events and event planning, to support the local UNA chapter's efforts and when possible, attend UNA chapter meetings and events.

Most importantly, YPIC is intended to be fun and engaging. Numerous opportunities exist for leadership at both the state and national level. If you are a young adult with an interest in international affairs, get involved in the largest grassroots foreign policy organization in the nation! In Iowa we are launching YPIC in numerous cities. If you would like to work in a leadership position and help launch YPIC, let us know!

Contact Kate at kate@unaiowa.org and learn how you can make career connections, meet engaging individuals, advocate for change in international affairs and learn more about issues facing the UN today.