Assistant Director, Kahane United Nations Program

Description

Occidental College’s Diplomacy & World Affairs Department (DWA) invites applications for the part-time position of Assistant Director of its prestigious Kahane United Nations Program, a one-of-a-kind residential program in New York that has been in existence since 1986. Each fall semester, an average of 16 students participate in the program, which includes a full-time internship with a UN mission, agency, or non-governmental organization that supports UN-related work and two advanced courses related to the work of international organizations.

The primary responsibilities of the Assistant Director, working with the Director of the Program, and in consultation with the Kahane Advisory Committee, include:

• Participate in the selection of the fall cohort, which occurs during the spring semester;
• Co-develop and participate in an on-site orientation program at the start of each fall semester;
• Teach and assess an upper division academic course developed in consultation with the DWA Department (approximately 2 hours per week of lecture/direct instruction) and mentor participants;
• Support the mapping and development of internship opportunities, procuring positions for entering students, and assessing student internship performance;
• Participate in and support program-related events throughout the fall semester;
• Provide “emergency” support to students;
• Serve on the Kahane UN Program Advisory Committee; and
• Participate in the planning of on-campus “UN Week” events held in the spring semester.

Note: The position will pay 75% of total salary during the Fall semester (August 16, 2026 to December 15, 2026) and 25% of total salary during the Spring semester (January 16, 2027 to May 15, 2027).

Qualifications

Expected qualifications for candidates include:

• An advanced degree in a field related to international affairs, Ph.D. degree preferable;
• Professional experience with the United Nations or related institutions. Knowledge of a broad range of activities/arms of the UN and NGOs that engage with the UN. Preference given to those whose knowledge and experience crosses borders between the cultural, economic, political, and social domains in which the UN works;
• Experience working with interns in and around the UN system;
• A demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate students;
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills; and
• Experience and success in working collaboratively with diverse colleagues and students.

Application Instructions

An application should include the following:

• A cover letter specifically addressing qualifications as relates to the criteria listed above;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Copies of available course evaluations;
• A list of three references with relevant contact information
  • If you advance to the finalist phase, you will be asked to have each of your three references submit a letter of recommendation. Please do not submit these letters with your initial application.

Please direct all questions about the position to Priscilla Falter at falter@oxy.edu.

To be assured full consideration, your application materials must be received by May 10th, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Please see Occidental’s Notice of Non-Discrimination.

Occidental is strongly committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strength