There is no single "UN recruitment": each agency (UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, UNDP, WHO…) hires on its own careers site, with its own contracts. The good news: there are several ways in, and some do not require international experience.
1. National posts (G and NO)
General Service (G-1 to G-7) and National Officer (NO-A to NO-D) posts are for people who have the right to work in the country, usually its nationals. This is the widest door: most UN field staff are recruited locally. See our guide to UN grades.
2. International posts (P and D)
Open to all nationalities, they require a university degree (often a master's) and several years of experience: about 2 years for P-2, 5 for P-3, 7 for P-4. Mobility is expected: assignments usually change every 2 to 5 years.
3. Consultancies and service contracts
Assignments from a few weeks to a few months (consultants, individual contractors, SC at WFP, NPSA/IPSA at UNDP). They help you become known to an agency and are often the first UN experience of technical profiles.
4. UN Volunteers (UNV)
National or international assignments with a living allowance. Many former volunteers later get a contract. See our UNV guide.
5. Junior Professional Officers (JPO)
Two- to three-year posts funded by some governments, usually for their own nationals (a few donors also sponsor candidates from developing countries). Age and degree requirements depend on the sponsoring country: check your government's JPO page.
6. The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) and internships
The UN Secretariat's YPP is a yearly exam open to nationals of the countries on that year's list, with an age limit. Internships are for students or recent graduates; some agencies pay interns, others do not. See our internship directory.
How to give yourself the best chance
- Complete your online profile carefully: most agencies do not read a free-form CV but a form (Inspira profile, P11 or PHP).
- Use the words of the vacancy: screening compares your profile with each "required" criterion.
- Prepare for the written test and the competency-based interview: see our interview guide and practice tests.
- Apply early: some vacancies close before the deadline once enough applications are received.
Warning: the UN never asks for money at any stage of recruitment. See how to spot a fake job offer.