Clark confirmed in UN role
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Helen Clark has been confirmed in the role of head of the United Nations Development Programme.
Clark, who was nominated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week, was elected unanimously by the UN's 192-nation general assembly.
She will begin her term on April 20th, replacing Kemal Dervis, a former Turkish Cabinet minister.
"I'll be spinning wheels to make that," Clark told Radio New Zealand.
Mr Ban's spokeswoman, Michele Montas, said Clark "will bring a strategic perspective coupled with fresh thinking and impetus for change."
The UN Development Programme, which employs nearly 8000 people in 166 countries and has a budget of some NZ$9 billion, provides training, advice and support for developing countries.
Clark's confirmation in effect places her third-highest in command at the UN.
That would rank it among the most powerful positions held by a New Zealander.
Clark this morning said she had had a lot of big moments in her life, including winning her first election and winning one as prime minister.
"I guess this is another of those moments," she said.
"But actually, the sort of sense of 'gee, golly, gosh' is almost immediately replaced by 'there's an awful lot of things to do'."
That included sorting out the salary, terms and conditions, getting a UN passport and changing visa status for the United States as the job is based in New York.
Clark said she was not daunted by the enormity of the job "but I know there is a tremendous number of things to get on top of very, very quickly".
"I'm very diligent and I'll just get on with it."
Clark said it was up to the Government to name a date for a by-election in her Mount Albert seat but she believed it would be in June.
"It really depends on whether I'm going to get away exactly on time and the UN system has to really jump hurdles for that to happen," she said.
"But it would be very difficult for it to be before the budget so I would be thinking that June would be a more likely time.
- with NZPA and REUTERS
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has been appointed as head of the United Nations Development Program.

The appointment follows a unanimous vote by the UN General Assembly yesterday.  Clark will take up the role by April 20, replacing current UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis.
Helen Clark.
Clark is reportedly eager for the role, comparing it to winning her first election and becoming Prime Minister.  "I guess this is another of those moments," she said.  

The UNDP gives training and advice to developing countries to spur global development and to help them meet the Millennium Development Goals.  It has offices in 166 countries and an annual budget of around US$5 billion. Its Administrator is the third highest ranking member of the United Nations after the United Nations Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.  

Clark has a long political career, having been first elected to Parliament in 1981.  She was New Zealand's first elected woman Prime Minister, serving for three terms between 1999 and 2008.  She became leader of the social-democratic New Zealand Labour Party in 1993, and led it until her defeat in the 2008 general election.  

She has previously held a number of Cabinet portfolios, including Health, Housing, Conservation, and Arts, Culture and Heritage.  In January 2008 Clark won the United Nations Environment Programme Champions of the Earth award in recognition of her government’s promotion of sustainability initiatives.  In January 2009 she was recognised by the ''New Zealand Herald'' as the Greatest Living New Zealander.

Clark's appointment is expected to lead to a by-election in her Mt Albert electorate.