09.00 Arrival and coffee
09.00 – 16.30 Career fair – Champions Lounge
Meet and network with over 60 organisations: government actors, NGOs, foundations, UN organisations, international financial institutions, training and further education institutions, etc.
09.30 The art of getting into international cooperation (IC) – Valiant Lounge
Recommended for: students, recent graduates, lateral entrants and anyone interested The path into international cooperation is rarely linear. But there are recurring patterns and small steps can have a big impact. Scott Breslin reveals some surprising facts and trends that can make the difference when you are starting your career in IC.
09.30 How to prevent power abuse – the need for positive change – Media Center
People who work in international cooperation are driven by noble intentions and goodwill. But they can risk getting ‚stuck in the mud‘. Decision-making that insufficiently involves beneficiaries and mistrusts local actors requires a change of attitude. The risk of power abuse, sexual harassment and exploitation impairs the work of humanitarian and development actors and damages reputations. The aim of this session is to address root causes of these issues and to explore good practices that can lead to change.
09.30 Speed meetings: first impressions count – Sky Lounge
In this session, you have 5 minutes to pitch yourself to an HR specialist of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, the EBRD, the Green Climate Fund or the World Bank Group’s IFC, and answer a couple of targeted questions. This is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression: you need to shine by highlighting your relevant experience and background without boasting or rehashing clichés. Come prepared!
10.45 Managing in uncertainty – Valiant Lounge
Uncertainty has become the rule rather than the exception in international cooperation. Pierre Krähenbühl, the most senior Swiss in the UN system, provides insights into the implications of highly fragile contexts on managing teams, programmes and organisations.
10.45 Catwalk: „My organisation in 90 seconds“ (part 1/2) – Media Center
Who is who? Who does what? Get to know potential employers, training institutions and other organisations in short but entertaining catwalk presentations.
12.00 How to get yourself recruited? – Valiant Lounge
How are applications screened and how can you improve the chance of your application being noticed by a recruiter? What are some common mistakes to avoid? And how and where does an organisation find the best talent?
This panel discussion lets you into the mind of a recruiter. Recruitment specialists and HR directors speak about their processes and the latest trends in IC recruitment, providing you with tips on how to get the job you want.
12.00 A career in IC: personal matters matter – Media Center
Combining a partner and / or family with your career is not always easy, especially when you live and work abroad, perhaps even without your loved ones. You are not alone in facing these challenges. Attend a discussion between expats about their struggles, their solutions, and the opportunities that arose from their experiences.
12.00 Working for an international organisation: ever thought of consulting? – Sky Lounge
Volunteering – internship – junior staff – senior staff: most people think this is the way to go in IC. But there are other ways. You can also build your career with international organisations by starting off with consultancies. Learn more about consultancies through a research presentation, meetings with consultants and useful tips.
13.15 Young and talented? Our programmes for Swiss nationals – Valiant Lounge
Entry level positions with the UN and IFIs are rare. However, they do exist! And some are even reserved for Swiss nationals. What are these positions? What are the prerequisites? How can you apply? How have former participants taken advantage of this unique opportunity and what are they doing today? cinfo presents the Swiss Young Professional Programmes for people under the age of 33 (JPO – Junior Professional Officers) and 29 (UNYV – UN Youth Volunteers).
13.15 Catwalk: „My organisation in 90 seconds“ (part 2/2) – Media Center
Who is who? Who does what? Get to know potential employers, training institutions and other organisations in short but entertaining catwalk presentations.
13.15 You and your career – are you in the driver’s seat? – Sky Lounge
We rarely take the time to reflect deeply on our career: To what extent do we shape it? To what extent do others shape it? What drives us and what are our guiding principles? How close are we to fulfilling our career aspirations? This workshop guides you towards such questions and helps you to start exploring answers.
14.30 Opportunities in the private sector: entrepreneurship, sustainable finance and impact investing – Valiant Lounge
Private companies, aid agencies and Multilateral Development Banks are increasingly joining forces, including by investing in firms and enterprises that contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in emerging and frontier markets. What are the career opportunities in this area? Do you need specific skills and experience to get into impact investing or sustainable finance? What are the implications in this respect for public actors?
14.30 Education and training needs: today and tomorrow – Media Center
What are the current challenges of training institutions in the field of international cooperation? What skills will be relevant for professionals in IC, from young to senior experts, in the future? How to ensure a match between the needs of employers and current educational assets on the labour market? The panel session addresses several topics in a larger reflection on education and training needs.
14.30 Is this job for me? Interpreting job vacancies – Sky Lounge
Have you ever read a job description and wondered whether you have the right profile to apply? HR representatives from regional development banks (ADB, AfDB and EBRD), the UN (UNDP, UNFPA, UNV and UN Women) as well as the World Bank, will tell you how to read their current vacancy announcements and provide you with specific insights about the positions and the needs of their organisation. This will help you to assess the fit between your profile and the job descriptions. And if it’s a good fit, you have the chance to present yourself to the HR specialists on-site.