UN Traineeship Programme - Cohort VII initiated on January, 2019 by UN agencies in Nepal conducted a graduation program for the 43 trainees on 9th December, 2019 at the UN House, Pulchowk, Lalitpur.  During the 11 months training programme, the trainees were deployed to 9 different UN agencies. 

Having undergone 11 months’ full time on the job training with access to mentoring and practical experiences in the International UN working environment, these 43 graduated trainees are now ready to work in their areas of interest in various organizations.

The UN Traineeship Programme that started from April 2011 has successfully trained 175 trainees in the past 6 batches. “Out of which 65% of trainee have gained some job opportunities in various sectors,” said Dr. Jos Vandelaer, OMT CO-Chair. “The exposure to a professional environment in the UN has been enriching for trainees, mentors and the UN Agencies”, he added. Further, Ms. Valerie Julliand, UN Resident Coordinator, thanked all the mentors and UN agencies for their effort on making this programme the best learning experience for the trainees. 

On behalf of the trainees, Mr. Basant Kumar Chaudhary trainee at UNCDF shared that they feel fortunate, grateful and indebted to mentors, UN agencies and Real Solutions for their support and encouragement throughout the programme. “The programme has provided us an opportunity to work and learn about the international working environment, that we otherwise may not have access to. The programme has helped me overcome my Inferiority complex. “he said.

“The exposure that I got and the things that I have learned during the traineeship programme is a life time take away skills for me and now I can see the bigger picture of my life. “says Ms. Priyanka Singh, trainee at World Food Programme (WFP). According to Ms. Singh, the Traineeship Programme has really helped her to gain necessary skills and competencies to achieve her career objective.   

Similarly, the mentors have also demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with their trainees. Ability to work with diverse workforce, teams, commitment, can-do-attitude and eagerness to learn are some of some skills sought after by the mentors in the trainees.

“Every Cohort of UNTP gives us a new challenge to deliver the best result in terms of recruitment and selection and gives us an opportunity to learn and grow simultaneously” said Mr. Shailendra Raj Giri – Managing Director of Real Solutions Pvt. Ltd, revealing the Trainees’ Profile of UN Traineeship Programme – Cohort VII. 

UN Traineeship Programme was designed in 2010 based on intensive consultations of all UN Agencies in Nepal. As the continuation and the successful completion of Cohort I, II, III, IV, V, VI, UN Traineeship Programme Cohort VII was initiated in January 2019. UN Traineeship Programme 2019 involved: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Development programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO).