Due to the increasing role of the United Nations in the Middle East region, the need for staff with a good command of Arabic language is higher than ever.
Consequently, an intensive residential Arabic language programme has been organized in Amman for field mission staff who work or wish to work in a UN mission where Arabic is commonly spoken. This initiative reflects the Organization’s commitment to promote linguistic balance and multilingualism within the Secretariat and to improve the language capabilities of staff.
The three-week intensive programme will run from 28 July to 15 August 2013, enabling participants to acquire approximately 100 contact learning hours, while based in an Arabic-speaking environment. The programme consists of seven hours of formal instruction per day, five days a week, including reading, writing, conversation and media, as well as sessions interacting with UN personnel in Arabic. Classes are programmed three times daily from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 - 6:00 p.m..
The programme will focus on Modern Standard Arabic with an emphasis on building oral and aural comprehension as well as strengthening communication and reading skills. Another important element centres on building language skills and vocabulary relevant to the work of the United Nations global Secretariat in the Arabic-speaking world in the areas of peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding. The course will be coordinated and delivered locally by Professor Suad Mohamed, from the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Virginia. Professor Mohamed formerly worked as an Arabic Language Instructor in the UN Language and Communication Programme in New York.
Eligibility
Staff at all duty stations may apply, but priority will be given to non-New York based staff members at the professional level and above who are working in or are rostered for positions in substantive areas commonly needed in peacekeeping and political missions (e.g. political affairs, civil affairs, electoral affairs, rule of law, programme management). Participants should have a high intermediate or advanced-level of Arabic; applicants will be required to take a placement test to assess their knowledge of the language and suitability for the programme. Participants should intend to work in a field mission where Arabic is commonly spoken.
| Application deadline | Tuesday 24 June 2013 |
| Placement test | Week of 1-5 July 2013 |
| Cost | Course registration cost will be dependent on the total number of participants, but is capped at a maximum of $2150 per student* |
| For more details, please contact | Samia Montasser, Arabic Language Coordinator E: montasser@un.org T: 212-963-9506 |
*The course registration cost does not include travel to Jordan, ground transportation, housing, meals, or optional supplementary activities. Arrangements are being made to secure reasonably-priced local accommodation.
Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit this application form to montasser@un.org.