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UN Leaders Programme - Cohort I
Designed for participants at the director level (D1/D2), the UN Leaders Programme explores successful leadership approaches and transformation practices for UN 2.0.
The rapid pace and complexity of change in today’s world have set the stage for UN 2.0, emphasizing internal transformation within the UN for a greater external impact. Recognizing culture as the 'linchpin for success', UN directors have a crucial role in nurturing a forward-thinking organizational environment in which the 'quintet of change' can drive impact.
Participants in the UN Leaders Programme, will explore leadership in the context of innovation, transformation, collaboration and resilience, reflecting on effective leadership practices and their application, and forging deeper connections with colleagues from across the UN System.
The UN System Leadership Framework (UNSLF) and the Adaptive Leadership Framework serve as the foundational frameworks woven throughout and informing this programme journey.
Upon completing the programme, you will join an alumni network of over 1,000 directors who have participated since its inception in 2009.
Through what will be an interactive online and in-person learning experience, you will have the opportunity to:
- Reflect on emerging challenges, trends and opportunities based on a systemic view of the UN’s operations.
- Interact with renowned experts and your peers, gaining insights and inspiration on how to respond to, and even anticipate, typical leadership challenges.
- Build a peer support network, characterized by deep connection, collaboration, and partnership – and re-energize!
The programme journey comprises three phases:
1. Online preliminary phase – (estimated time commitment: 9 hours)
As part of this phase, you will:
- Attend the programme orientation (3 hours)
- Complete an e-learning module and reading on the Adaptive Leadership Framework (4 hours)
- Complete the UN 360-degree Leadership Assessment (1 hour)
- Take the DiSC Personality Assessment (0.5 hour)
- Formulate and reflect on a personal leadership challenge that you would like to work on (0.5 hour)
2. Core programme phase – (estimated time commitment: 40 hours); In-person sessions in Turin, Italy from Monday, 10 March to Friday, 14 March 2025
- Over a period of five days of in-person sessions in Turin, Italy (Monday, 10 March - Friday, 14 March), you will unpack and reflect on how to live out and practice the principles and ideals envisioned in the UN System Leadership Framework, complemented with tools and best practices from the Adaptive Leadership approach.
- There will be approximately an hour of pre-work to be reviewed before each session.
3. Online peer consulting & consolidation phase – (estimated time commitment: 6 hours)
During this phase, you will:
- Work virtually in small groups, using a peer consulting protocol to reflect on your personal leadership challenge (3 hours)
- This process will run over a couple of weeks, following which you will re-group with your cohort to debrief, action plan, and wrap-up the programme journey, over one synchronous webinar sessions (3 hours)
4. Executive coaching to contextualize the programme journey (time commitment: 2.5 hours)
- Through the programme, you will work with an executive coach during pre-identified touchpoints to help contextualize the programme experience to your leadership practice and organizational context. There will be two such touchpoints of 90 minutes and 60 minutes respectively.
The programme focuses on five thematic areas to build organizational and team cultures that drive UN 2.0:
- Leading with Purpose - Delving into the UN’s unique organizational context and reflecting on the leaders we are called to be.
- Leadership in Action - Understanding how leaders can create the enabling conditions for their team and the organization to deliver on the organizational mission effectively.
- Leading Yourself – Highlighting the UN Mental Health Strategy, and drawing on neuroscience and mindfulness research, to foster self and team well-being and resilience.
- Leadership @ Work – Using a case-based approach to unpack the Four Ways of Working from the UN System Leadership Framework.
- Leadership Toolkit - Working through effective communication and presentation as tools to carry forward on your leadership journey.
Senior UN staff at the D1 – D2 levels;
Senior staff operating in relevant fields of international cooperation. By open enrolment or nomination. (Please note that some UN organizations follow an internal nomination process to identify candidates for the programme).
The programme fee is USD 6750, which includes access to all sessions, assessments, executive coaching, and course materials. Please note that participants must cover all travel and accommodation-related costs separately.
