What you will learn
- Identify vacancies that match your profile and avoid scams.
- Write a CV and cover letter tailored to each vacancy, with quantified achievements.
- Prepare for the written test and answer competency-based interview questions using the STAR method.
Course information
- Level
- All levels
- Study time
- 12 hours over 2 days (lessons, case studies, exercises)
- Format
- Online, at your own pace, free and unlimited access
- Assessment
- Daily quizzes + final exam of 20 randomly drawn questions (30 min, pass mark 70%)
- Credential
- Named, numbered certificate of achievement, verifiable online (QR code)
- Reference frameworks
- People In Aid / CHS Alliance · CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere · Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies
Programme
- Day1The job market and the application fileWho recruits, and how? · Reading a vacancy like a recruiter · A CV in humanitarian format · The cover letter Scenario: A monitoring and evaluation officer vacancy
- Day2Written test and competency-based interviewThe written test · The competency-based interview and the STAR method · During and after the interview Scenario: The online interview
- Final assessment and certificate20 questions · 70% to pass · 3 attempts per 24 hours
Who is it for?
Recent graduates, professionals who want to join an NGO or a United Nations agency, national staff aiming for a more senior post, volunteers.
The certificate
With at least 70% correct answers in the final assessment, you receive a certificate in your name, with a unique code that recruiters can verify on Humanitaires Jobs. A free Members area account is required.
Key concepts
The vocabulary you need to master for this course and the exam.
- Competency-based interview
- A structured interview in which the candidate illustrates each competency with a real-life example (STAR method).
- Roster
- A pool of pre-selected candidates who can be deployed quickly to new assignments.
- Duty of care
- The employer's obligation to protect the safety, health and well-being of staff.
- National / international staff
- A distinction based on the place of recruitment, which determines contractual conditions.
- R&R
- Rest and recuperation: compulsory periodic leave in difficult settings.
- ATS
- Applicant tracking system: software that filters CVs by keyword.
- P / G / NO grade
- UN staff categories: international Professional, General Service, National Professional Officer.
- Development plan
- Learning objectives and actions agreed with your manager in order to progress.
References and recommended reading
The official texts and sector reference works on which the course is based.
- People In Aid / CHS Alliance (2003). Code of Good Practice in the Management and Support of Aid Personnel. www.chsalliance.org
- CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere (2024). Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS). www.corehumanitarianstandard.org
- Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies (2011). Core Humanitarian Competencies Framework. www.chsalliance.org
- United Nations (careers.un.org) (2024). United Nations recruitment system and staff categories. careers.un.org