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Helen Clark - Source: ONE News -
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The National government is supporting a bid by former Prime Minister Helen Clark for a top United Nations job.
Prime Minister John Key confirms that Clark is a candidate for the post of administrator of the UN Development Programme and has the support of the government.
Key says her time as Prime Minister established Clark's credibility worldwide as she engaged with leaders from developed and developing nations alike.
He says the job is number three in the United Nations, behind the Secretary General and his deputy.
Key says it's early days yet, but Clark has shown the leadership qualities necessary for an organisation like the United Nations in such difficult times.
Clark told the Sunday Star Times that the position came up at short notice.
"It's a very senior position and will be hotly contested by a number of candidates," she said.
If she got the role she would have control of the largest budget of any UN agency at nearly $10 billion.
