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Job seekers

Working as a staff member in the UN Secretariat gives you the opportunity to work in a dynamic, multicultural environment.  The 41,000 staff of the United Nations, who come from its 193 Member States, are from many backgrounds, and have varied experience.  It is an exciting and unique challenge to be part of such a working environment, because it leads to a broader understanding of all the world's countries and cultures. The UN welcomes applications from nationals of all of its Member States and strongly encourages women to apply.

 

UN Photo/Fred Noy
A Joint Mediation Support Team Holds Meeting in meeting room in Khartoum, Sudan in 2007. From left to right: Shirin Pakfar, Political Affairs Officer of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS); Jonas Westerlund, Jan Eliasson's Special Adviser; Jan Eliasson, United Nations Special Envoy for Darfur, Pekka Haavisto Senior Advisor of Jan Eliasson; Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, African Union (AU) Senior Political Affairs Officer; and Nita Yawanarajah, UN Political Affairs Officer for Darfur Peace Agreement. At extreme right is Bashua Abiodun, Head of Political Affairs in UNMIS.

The world looks to the UN for solutions to complex problems. The issues the UN deals with are as diverse as the careers it offers.  Its work touches every challenge humanity faces, from peace and security, to human rights, humanitarian work, development, and more.  Working for the UN is exciting and rewarding, because you are not only working for the UN.  You are working for humanity.  You are trying to make the world a better place to live in.

Where to Apply

Job openings are published on the United Nations Careers Portal. Applicants with disabilities are considered by the United Nations for employment under all types of contracts in full compliance with the United Nations Charter. The United Nations offers a variety of ways to join its workforce.  Professional positions are available by applying on the Careers Portal, or through the examination process.  Candidates for jobs in the General Service and related categories, including those in the trades and crafts, security and safety, secretarial and other support positions, are recruited locally.

What are you doing for peace?

The Department of Field Support is running a global awareness campaign to highlight the diverse range of career opportunities that are available in peace operations across multiple duty stations worldwide.

Human Resources Information

At the United Nations HR Portal, you can find information on UN Secretariat Staff Members' duties, obligations and privileges.  There is also information on the portal about resources available to staff, pay and benefits, career development, learning opportunities, tracking your performance, taking care of your health and well-being, and other tools and resources.

Competitive Examinations

The United Nations offers the Young Professionals Programme for Junior Professionals and examinations for positions requiring special language skills.

Associate Experts Programme

This Programme offers young professionals who are graduates from universities or institutions of higher education an opportunity to acquire professional experience in the technical cooperation of the United Nations Secretariat.

Headquarters Internship Programme

The United Nations provides internship opportunities at UN Headquarters in New York, and at other major UN duty stations.  Applicants must, at the time of application, either be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or they must have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation, as provided for in section 11.4 of ST/AI/2014/1.

Working in the UN system

If you are interested in working for other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, please visit their websites directly.  Most websites can be accessed through the links found at the International Civil Service Commission.

Warning to Job Seekers

There are job advertisements and offers that falsely state that they are from the United Nations. Please be aware that the United Nations does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.  See more about fraudulent announcements.

Volunteer

You can create beneficial change and have a positive impact on people's lives by volunteering. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is based in Bonn (Germany) and is active in over 100 countries every year.  Opportunities range from being a volunteer in the field or online.  Focus areas are Development Assistance and Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Operations

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