PERSPECTIVES ON INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM BECAUSE
Upcoming Research & Tool Kits
New independent research and toolkit tailored to the key stakeholders involved in rejuvenating the UN's workforce and attracting Young Talent.
In the 2023 Human Resources Resolution agreed by the UNGA (A/RES/77/278), member states requested that the Secretary-General (SG) present three reports to the Fifth Committee in early 2025 outlining
1) a new approach to rejuvenating the Secretariat's workforce
2) a comprehensive review of internships and
3) improvements to the Young Professional Programme (YPP).
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While the SG and his Human Resources team will develop the proposals, member states are the ultimate policymakers. And both member states and the UN will need engagement from universities and youth organizations as they implement the new policies. To support this process, ReformWorks, and Talentum Consulting are finalizing their own independent research on what young people want from an international career and toolkits for each of the three stakeholder groups on how they can help the UN attract and retain the world's best and brightest young talent. A key source of our data is from the Study: Attracting & Retaining Young Talent for International Organizations completed by 635 young people from 117 different countries who are interested in international careers.
The first package is estimated to be published in the 2nd week of December, with the second and third package following a few weeks later.
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More Information coming soon.​
Research and Toolkit by Stakeholder Package
Rejuvenating the UN Secretariat: Data and Analysis for 5C Delegates
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In anticipation of the March 2025 Fifth Committee debates on the rejuvenation of the UN Secretariat, the comprehensive review of internships and the Young Professionals Programme (YPP), this package provides an analysis of the policy debates on these issues supplemented by newly collected survey data on the international career expectations of young talent (those under 40 years old). It also includes our analysis of the three Secretary-General reports once they become publicly available.
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What Young Talent Really Wants: Data and Tools for HR Practitioners in International Organizations
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Our survey data indicates that if international organizations attract and retain Millennials and GenZ, they can broaden the diversity and skills (innovation, data analytics, digital literacy) of their workforces. But young people also have their own unique expectations about how to learn about international job opportunities and what makes a ‘good’ job and career. This package provides key insights from our data and practical information and case studies for how international organizations need to adjust their outreach strategies, present their value proposition and reshape organizational culture to retain young talent. It also includes an update based on the Fifth Committee resolution and their agreements on the rejuvenation of the UN Secretariat, internships and the Young Professionals Programme (YPP).
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Supporting International Career Aspirations: Insights and Tools for Universities and Youth Organizations
Universities and youth organizations are key players in preparing young talent for international careers and increasing their exposure and experience with international organizations. Our research highlights that they often have adhoc and personality-based relationships with international organizations, and consequently are not leveraged strategically either by HR practitioners in international organizations or policymakers in member state governments. Interactions also often rely on traditional outreach tools, like career fairs, which our respondents indicate are their least preferred way of finding out about international jobs. This package provides data and insights on what young talent wants and how universities and international organizations can work strategically with international organizations and governments in preparing and facilitating international careers for their students and members.
Past Research
Study: Attracting & Retaining Young Talent for International Organizations
In collaboration with our Geneva-based partner Talentum Consulting, ReformWorks is undertaking an independent research study on the career expectations of young international talent and developing toolkits to support policymakers, Human Resources (HR) practitioners, universities and youth organizations in integrating young talent into international organizations. ​
