United Nations Encouraging Women to Apply for Secretary-General Role

Inspired by United States presidential election and female candidates Hilary Clinton and Carly Fiorina, the United Nations is now encouraging women to apply to lead the international organization.

Traditionally candidates for Secretary-General, now Ban Ki-Moon, are selected behind closed doors by the Security Council using an undisclosed list, according to Reuters.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, who also holds the rotating Presidency of the Security Council, has written to all 193 member countries inviting applications specifically encouraging "member states to consider presenting women as well as men."

Power wrote that the successful candidate will need "proven leadership & managerial abilities, extensive experience in international relations & strong diplomatic, communication & multilingual skills."

The Security Council will begin the selection process during the summer, and a recommendation will be made going into the U.N. General Assembly next year.

Neither U.S. nor British citizens, or nationals of the other permanent security council members -- France, China and Russia, will be eligible for the Secretary-General role.