MA International Relations and European Studies

Student profile

Deborah Ayis - MA International Relations and European Studies

While completing my MA, I started work with the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs at the UN Headquarters in New York. 

So far my responsibilities include a great deal of research. As the title of the Division implies we focus on electoral challenges faced in various countries with special focus on those going through transition such as Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt. I have researched countries that might face electoral challenges in implementing free and fair elections; with emphasis placed on ensuring transparent and violence free elections. The Division also aims to help ensure the inclusion of all segments of the society in political processes. Special attention is paid to the participation of women in politics; as such countries are persuaded to improve the percentage of women representatives as candidates and participants in elections.

My course has been highly instrumental to my success in both attaining this position and swiftly catching up with the demands of the job. As previously mentioned I mainly conduct a lot of research which I found a natural extension of what I do on the course. I have had to keep up to date with the latest developments around countries of the world which is another behavioral trait picked up on the course. My units involved learning about the Middle East and Arab Spring, NGO's, legal frameworks, and provided me with an avenue to study French and Spanish; all of which have proven invaluable to me. My dissertation is based on the United Nations Security Council which provided me with background knowledge of the organization.