All eyes are on Geneva this week, as US President Joe Biden meets with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Geneva’s Police Department has already started its security preparations. A large perimeter around the Lake of Geneva from Parc la Grange up to the UN Palais des Nations will have traffic restrictions in place and high levels of security are expected.
In a press conference in Cornwall, at the end of the G7 meeting, President Biden announced that the US is going to donate half a billion vaccines, in addition to the 80 million already pledged.
Biden also remarked that the G7 “agreed to work together so that the world is better prepared to detect and deal with future pandemics, because there will be future pandemics.”
UN in Geneva, Photo Credit: Maya Plentz
“The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in efforts to help fragile countries with their emergency response, including lifesaving medical and other supplies to tackle COVID-19 surges while strengthening their health systems, building capacity to manage surges, and preventing disease spread.” US Mission to the UN
WHO will hold a webinar on Post COVID-19 condition on Tuesday from 13:00 to 16:00 CEST. COVID-19 patients experience symptoms for weeks or months after infection.
Report Launch: Children and Digital Dumpsites
WHO will launch its first report on e-waste and child health. ‘Children and Digital Dumpsites, e-waste exposure and child health’ examines the main effects of electronic and electrical waste, known as e-waste, on child health and sets out solutions for the health sector at different levels. This is the first comprehensive publication WHO has produced on this issue which includes new evidence and data.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated each year on 15 June to highlight one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society, elder abuse. Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year and rates of elder abuse have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elder abuse is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations. The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 900 million in 2015 to about 2 billion in 2050.
Thursday, 17 June
Launch of LIVE LIFE guide on preventing suicide
This comprehensive new guide, based on WHO’s LIVE LIFE approach, lays out a clear path to putting in place suicide prevention interventions that have been proven to work. It will be accompanied by a booklet that presents WHO’s latest data on suicide rates around the world by age, region and country, and trends since 2000.
During the last decade, there has been a small reduction in the global rate of suicide. Yet, some countries have seen suicide rates increase and many are not fully committed to suicide prevention. Currently, just 38 countries are known to have a national suicide prevention strategy.
To launch the new guidance, the WHO Director-General will be joined by a panel of guests who are each, in their different ways, helping people have conversations about suicide. Launch event happening 14:00 to 15:00 CEST on Thursday with guests:
· DJ Nash, Creator and Executive Producer of A Million Little Things · Jazz Thornton, mental health activist and co-founder of Voices of Hope · Jonny Benjamin, author and founder of youth mental health charity Beyond
The Australian Mission to the UN in Geneva was hiring a policy officer. Check it out, and get ready for the next time they advertise something similar. You have to be an Australian national.
Policy Officer (Labour)
Location: Geneva
Closing date: 30th May 2021
Contract: Non-ongoing (3 year contract)
Salary: CHF 100,841 per annum
Further details : 20 days annual leave pro-rata. 50% employer contribution to health and accident insurance and to a pension fund.
General requirement: Applications are sought from persons interested in employment at the Australian Permanent Mission in Geneva. The successful applicant will be engaged on a local contract of employment.
This is a security-designated position. The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a security assessment to the appropriate level. Applicants must be Australian citizens and not a dual national of Switzerland to be eligible for engagement.
Applicants are advised that employment in the advertised position is dependent on the employee gaining a security clearance. There is no guarantee that the successful candidate for the position will be successful in obtaining a clearance. Security clearances can take several months to process. The inability to obtain a clearance prevents that applicant from being employed and loss of a security clearance at any time will lead to termination of employment.
Qualifications/Experience
Demonstrated ability to interpret and draft policy and undertake high quality research and strong project management. Highly developed written and oral communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain strong networks with other missions and multilateral agencies. Demonstrated ability to prioritise, think strategically, apply judgement and innovation to achieve results. Knowledge of the United Nations, the International Labour Organization and Australian Government policies, interests, and priorities is desirable. French language skills desirable.
Selection Criteria
Please address each of the selection criteria below in the spaces provided on the application form. You should use examples from your academic or professional background to support your claims. The word limit is strictly 250 words per response for each of the selection criteria. Applications that exceed this word limit or do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
A high level of written and oral proficiency in English (and desirable French), for both traditional and digital platforms in a professional environment, with a proven ability to prepare written material to present information in a logical, succinct and persuasive manner.
Ability to independently conduct high quality, thorough and accurate research, from a variety of sources, including data, analyse findings to monitor trends, and present findings/reports to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders in an appropriate manner. Ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating excellent inter-personal skills, the ability to develop effective stakeholder relations and to build and maintain networks.
Effective judgment, decision making and complex-problem solving skills, including a demonstrated ability to use initiative and innovation. Well-developed planning and organisational skills to manage multiple tasks and priorities, in order to achieve required outcomes and meet tight deadlines with limited supervision.
Knowledge of foreign affairs including, the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation and the Australian Government’s policies, interests, and priorities.
