Kevin Rudd on list for job as United Nations secretary-general

HIS two stints as Prime Minister both ended in ignominious defeat but that hasn’t stopped Kevin Rudd pushing for a prestigious new job.

Former PM Kevin Rudd delivers the 2015 Annual ANU Reconciliation Address in Canberra tonight.

FORMER Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is reportedly being considered for a prestigious new job — United Nations secretary-general.

The Australian reports Mr Rudd has been named on a list of potential replacements for Ban Ki-moon, who will finish his term this year.

It’s believed UN member countries are due to put forward their nominations for the position within weeks.

The Australian reports Mr Rudd is unlikely to be Australia’s official nominee, but is considered a contender because of his relationships with officials in the US and Europe, as well as Australia.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark is also believed to be a candidate for the position.

Ban Ki-moon was elected as UN secretary-general in 2006.

Before taking up this position he was a career diplomat with South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Other candidates being considered for Mr Ban’s job include UNESCO director general Irina Bakova from Bulgaria, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite and Hungarian President Janos Ader.

So too are Portugal’s former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and Argentina’s former foreign minister Susana Malcorra, according to The Australian.

Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic, former UN General Assembly president Srgjan Kerim from Macedonia and former Slovenian president Danilo Turk have been endorsed by their governments for the role.