BERLEBURG - General NEWS

[Royalfan 72]

I've never felt Jefferson was a bad egg but it does seem somewhat strange to me that he can't find a new job But obviously everyone can be hit with a depression and loosing you job is very stressful.

Perhaps he was just choosy in the beginning and waited for the right job. And then, sometimes one waits too long and it's difficult to find a single job. I asked myself why Jefferson didn't attend Nathalies wedding. That would explain something.

From what you wrote both familys are available for them in just two hours drive after the move. Perhaps they just wanted to live closer to the grandparents as they get older.

[just a serf]

What does it say for the world economy when two people who are as well-connected as you could possibly get can't get/keep jobs?

To be fair, sometimes those turn out to be the worst workers  

In hard times, you want the best and brightest.  They might not have met the cut.

Alexandra was a 'Programme Specialist' at UNESCO with only a 3 year BA, no masters degree in cultural heritage or related fields, and no previous high level employment   She went from working at a gallery in a small German city with a barely functioning website to UNESCO Programme Specialist.  

"it was her job to counsel about preservation of cultural and world heritage in Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste."

She'd never been educated or worked in any of these Middle Eastern and Asian countries in her UNESCO portfolio. What could the value of her 'counsel' been?  

Out of interest I looked up what exactly the job requirements of a UNESCO Programme Specialist are.

Here's an excerpt from a vacancy announcement for a water sciences programme specialist.

Profile
ƒ Advanced University degree (preferably at Doctorate level) in the field of hydrology, water resources engineering or in closely
related water or environmental sciences.
ƒ 7-10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in the field of water sciences, of which preferably 3-5 years acquired
at international level.
ƒ Experience in research and teaching at university level in the field of sciences and/or environmental sciences would be an asset.
ƒ Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating projects in the field of water sciences.
ƒ Working experience in organization for international technical cooperation is required.
ƒ Experience in fund-raising and resources mobilization.
ƒ Working experience in the region would be an added advantage.
ƒ Proven capacity to organize training courses; excellent analytical and organizational skills.
ƒ Strong managerial skills. Ability to lead, motivate and supervise a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment
ƒ Excellent IT skills.
ƒ Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of Spanish. knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

[pixiecat]

What does it say for the world economy when two people who are as well-connected as you could possibly get can't get/keep jobs?

To be fair, sometimes those turn out to be the worst workers  

In hard times, you want the best and brightest.  They might not have met the cut.

Alexandra was a 'Programme Specialist' at UNESCO with only a 3 year BA, no masters degree in cultural heritage or related fields, and no previous high level employment   She went from working at a gallery in a small German city with a barely functioning website to UNESCO Programme Specialist. 

"it was her job to counsel about preservation of cultural and world heritage in Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste."

She'd never been educated or worked in any of these Middle Eastern and Asian countries in her UNESCO portfolio. What could the value of her 'counsel' been?  

Exactly   I can't help but wonder how many of these places she actually visited in relation to her "work".   Had she even been to them before this job?  I find it hard to believe that she was properly qualified for this position.

[Maria]

So UNESCO is filled with non-qualified people doing worthless work then?

[pixiecat]

So UNESCO is filled with non-qualified people doing worthless work then?

Who said the work was worthless? 

It seems to me that Alexandra wasn't necessarily qualified for her job.  I don't know about the rest of UNESCO.  I'm sure that those who actually met the qualifications do outstanding work. 

[Maria]

So UNESCO is filled with non-qualified people doing worthless work then?

Who said the work was worthless? 

It seems to me that Alexandra wasn't necessarily qualified for her job.  I don't know about the rest of UNESCO.  I'm sure that those who actually met the qualifications do outstanding work. 

But why would an organization like UNESCO hire someone that wasn't qualified? It's not like she's a big-name royal and I can't quite see who should have pulled strings to get her the job. Idk, Alexandra and Jefferson are a pretty private couple. I guess I just don't see much reason to second guess their jobs/choices/so on.

[pixiecat]

So UNESCO is filled with non-qualified people doing worthless work then?

Who said the work was worthless? 

It seems to me that Alexandra wasn't necessarily qualified for her job.  I don't know about the rest of UNESCO.  I'm sure that those who actually met the qualifications do outstanding work. 

But why would an organization like UNESCO hire someone that wasn't qualified? It's not like she's a big-name royal and I can't quite see who should have pulled strings to get her the job. Idk, Alexandra and Jefferson are a pretty private couple. I guess I just don't see much reason to second guess their jobs/choices/so on.

Jefferson sounds like he was qualified for his job.  Alexandra's CV doesn't match UNESCO requirements, so it seems odd IMO.  The Danish royals have had positions with UNESCO as patrons, so it's not like her family had no relationship with the group. 

Maybe she did get the job on her own.  Her CV doesn't show her meeting their requirements, but maybe she was good at her job.  We'll never know.  Either way, I'm sure she's happy to be near her family again.  Hopefully things will work out for them.

[just a serf]

I'm just looking at the available information and it doesn't add up - IMO.

She has professional qualifications and a degree from a good university. Not disputing that or her character. However if you compare her to others doing the same job she appears vastly under-qualified. The only explanation I see is her royal connections. Royals always get the best jobs through their social network.

Another Programme Specialist from the same unit. This guy has a fantastic CV. He has everything Alexandra's CV has times ten. Unfortunately for him he isn't a zu ab auf in or unter 

http://whc.unesco.org/en/...on=detail&order=25608

Roland LIN Chih-Hung
Programme Specialist

Roland LIN Chih-Hung is art historian (doctorate, Art-history and Archaeology, University of Paris-Sorbonne, France), city planner (higher certificate of Advanced Architecture Studies of "City Planning and Oriental Metropolis Studies" and "Gardens, Landscape and Territory Studies", Paris-La Villette Architecture school, France). Programme Specialist of Asia - Pacific Unit of World Heritage Centre in UNESCO HQs in France, for international heritage safeguarding projects. Visiting professor of Tongji University (Shanghai), Tianjin University (Tianjin) and Shangdong University (Jinan) in China. Research fellow of CREOPS (Centre de Recherche en Extrême-Orient de Paris-Sorbonne); IPRAUS (Paris-Belleville Architecture School) and ATELAB (Paris-La Villette Architecture School). Expert & Advisor for the "Sustainable Urban Development for QuFu World Heritage City in China" (European Commission AsiaUrbs Programme, 2004 - 2007). Published two books : The Intention of Landscape Representation in French and Historic cities and World Heritage in Chinese. His written articles about culture heritage and historic cities were published in Chinese, English and French.

[Maria]

I guess I just don't think it's an organisation like UNESCO would have someone employed for so long just for show or because of her connections.

[tgb]

I think that it is more often the case with international aid/human rights organizations than not -- you mostly see working royals in either investment banks or aid orgs/charities, two fields where connections are handy. In her case, I'm sure her multiple language skills is valuable to UNESCO, as might be her ability to 'grease the wheel' in cases where her connections worked well (entry/govt approval in places where it might not be so easy, or fundraising), and people from monied backgrounds are often able to take/keep lower paying jobs in charitable organizations that someone with college loans might find impossible. If Joe Smith was sent to some of those countries, he wouldn't be able to open near as many doors as Princess So-And-So. I think the UN and its branches are more than happy to have a royal in a job over an unknown, all things being close to equal.

[getafix]

  JAS and Pix.

Good to  hear that 'Wasta' or Nepotism is still healthy, alive and thriving   

G

[Maria]

JAS and Pix.

Good to  hear that 'Wasta' or Nepotism is still healthy, alive and thriving   

G

It's not just royals though. I can't remember the numbers but in Denmark a rather large percentage of people gets new job through their connections. It could also partly explain why so few women get top jobs: they jobs simply aren't listed but go to someone in the system already.

[Cloaked]

I don't think that UNESCO would employ someone for nearly 17 years without getting value out of their work.
Perhaps Alexandra accepted a package; perhaps she was dropped due to the economic times more so than because of her work ethic.  Many good workers have been unable to keep their jobs. 
Jefferson might have chosen to now try for a job in Germany after failure to find one in Paris.
I feel for any family without work in these times.
I hope the job search results in a positive new start for them.
Richard is very generous to help out with housing. 
I know many parents who would do the same - as in - find the deposit for a house so that house payments are made instead of rent. (which one cannot recoup.)

[sleepyvalentina]

I don't think that UNESCO would employ someone for nearly 17 years without getting value out of their work.
Perhaps Alexandra accepted a package; perhaps she was dropped due to the economic times more so than because of her work ethic.  Many good workers have been unable to keep their jobs. 
Jefferson might have chosen to now try for a job in Germany after failure to find one in Paris.
I feel for any family without work in these times.
I hope the job search results in a positive new start for them.
Richard is very generous to help out with housing. 
I know many parents who would do the same - as in - find the deposit for a house so that house payments are made instead of rent. (which one cannot recoup.)

Most parents would expect their 42-year-old child to have some sort of savings so providing a home downpayment wouldn't be necessary.

[tgb]

I guess everyone has their own situation but I really am shocked they didn't have enough put away. Esp. if she worked for 17 years, he was in banking, and they lived quietly.