Secretariat Information Sheet
Thank you for your interest in joining the American Model United Nations International Secretariat. The success of the AMUN Conference depends greatly on the dedication of its all-volunteer Secretariat. There are currently more than 100 members of the AMUN Secretariat, including undergraduate, graduate and law school students, as well as professionals in a variety of fields. We hope you can join us!
Please fill out our New Staff Application form. Interview slots tend to fill up quickly, so we encourage you to sign up early. Interviews will last about 15 minutes; please meet the interviewer on the Expo floor at the appointed time. New Secretariat interviews will be held at the following times:
• Saturday, 24 October: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 25 October: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Making AMUN a success is a year-long process. Staffers are expected to (1) attend Labor Day Training in Chicago to prepare for their at-Conference roles, (2) attend Conference and pre-Conference training, and (3) participate in a pre-Conference working group.
Labor Day Weekend (4 - 6 September). All Secretariat members must be at the designated meeting site by 9:00 a.m. Saturday, 4 September 2021 and expect to stay until approximately 10:00 a.m. Monday, 6 September 2021. AMUN will provide lodging to staff members who arrive on Friday, 3 September 2021. Travel to the meeting location and some meals during the meeting are the responsibility of individual Secretariat members. AMUN will pay for hotel rooms (3-4 Secretariat members in each room) and some meals and snacks. Secretariat members must stay at the training facility and with the group for the entire weekend—there is very little unstructured free time, and participation is required at all events, including meals and evening activities. This applies to all staff members, including those who live near the hotel.
Conference Staffing and Conference Move-In and Move-Out (18-24 November). In addition to staffing the Conference, each Secretariat member is expected to assist with either the Move-In or Move-Out of the Conference. Secretariat members assisting with Move-In are required to be at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago on Thursday, 18 November 2021, by 10:00 a.m. and may depart on Wednesday, 24 November 2021 at any time. Secretariat members assisting with Move-Out are required to be at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago on Friday, 19 November 2021 no later than 9:00 a.m. and may depart Conference activities after 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 24 November 2021. Secretariat duties will encompass all hours and all days between arrival and departure. As at the Labor Day meeting, Secretariat members must stay at the meeting facility and with the group for the entire Conference, and participation is required at all events, including meals and evening activities. This applies to all staff members, including those who live near the hotel. As with the Labor Day meeting, individual staff members are responsible for travel to and from Chicago and most meals, while the AMUN Conference pays for basic lodging and most meals and snacks.
Pre-Conference Working Groups. First-year staffers are generally assigned to either the Research Working Group (RWG) or the Development Working Group (DWG) for pre-Conference preparation. The RWG provides information for the digital AMUN handbook. RWG members research and write the topic overviews included in the handbook, as well as collect bibliographic information to assist representatives at conference.
The DWG maintains and develops fund-raising contacts for AMUN. While most first-year staffers will be assigned to the RWG, if you're interested in helping with Development tasks, or have special skills or experience in development, please indicate so on your application.
There are eight at-conference working groups that comprise the AMUN Secretariat. The Secretary-General uses individual staffers' preferences and input and works with the Executive Committee and Department leadership to determine staffing levels and placements for the year. Many Secretariat members move between AMUN departments from year-to-year as they discover which areas of the Conference best suit their skills and interests. Departments that are open to participation by first-year Secretariat Members are detailed below:
The Committee Chair (CC) Working Group consists of dais personnel for most of AMUN’s simulations. CC staff specialize in the rules and procedures for the General Assembly committees and Special Committees and Commissions. CC members work closely with staff in the Rapporteur Department. This department provides opportunities for staff who are interested in seeing the simulation from the other side of the dais.
The Home Government (HG) Working Group is the source of all substantive information at conference. HG answers representative questions on issues discussed at AMUN and roleplays requested United Nations members and other organizations and groups. HG also provides high-level knowledge about difficult purview situations. Those who thrive on research and digging deep into the content side do well here.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Working Group acts as a resource for the justices participating in the ICJ Simulation. The ICJ Working Group is expected to perform topic research on the ICJ cases and potential cases throughout the year. This department provides opportunities for staff who are interested in international law.
The International Press Delegation (IPD) Working Group publishes the AMUN Chronicle, the conference newspaper. IPD Secretariat may be asked to contribute to the AMUN Staff Chronicle throughout the year. This department is suited to future journalists, or those who are interested in learning more about the importance of the International Press Corps.
The Rapporteur Department (Rapp) Working Group facilitates the resolution and reporting process from creation in the Delegate Services lab through their introduction in General Assembly bodies, ECOSOC Commissions, and the Special Committees. They act as the first line of content advice in the lab and committee room, helping representatives stay within their committee's purview, and also work closely with the rules staff on resolution administration. This department provides opportunities for staff who are interested in working very closely with Representatives to help them achieve their goals and who have some interest in both rules and content.
The Security Council (SC) Working Group consists of dais personnel for the Contemporary Security Council and the two Historical Security Councils. SC Staff members work closely with Simulation Directors, veteran AMUN staffers that help craft each year's unique Security Council simulations. This department provides opportunities for staff who are interested in seeing the simulation from the other side of the dais.
If you have any questions about your staffing requirements, questions about the Conference in general, or the positions available to first-year Secretariat members, please feel free to contact the 2021 Secretary-General, Alex Middlewood, by emailing her at sg@amun.org.