Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) provides the opportunity to young university graduates and young qualified professionals from non- and under-represented Member States click here  to join UNESCO at the early stage of their professional career.

The selection process of the UNESCO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2015 has just been finalized, and the Director-General has decided to appoint 16 Young Professionals who will join the Organization, both at Headquarters, Paris and in a number of Field Offices in the coming months.

The newly selected 16 Young Professionals – eleven women and five men -- come from all regions of the world, seven from non-represented Member-States and nine from underrepresented Member States click here.

The YPP selection process is highly competitive and attracts increasing numbers of candidates every year. The 2015 intake was chosen from an initial pool of 907 candidates submitted by 86 National Commissions; 277 candidates were pre-screened against the eligibility criteria and educational requirements. These candidates were invited for an interview responding to questions dealing with substantive and technical skills, curriculum and motivation. After a thorough review, 83 candidates from 44 Members States were selected for a final interview.

The YPP seeks to improve the geographical distribution of the Organization, contribute to rejuvenating the Secretariat, promote gender equality among staff and create an enhanced pool of young civil servants, enriching and diversifying the UNESCO family. 

Who are we looking for? Do you have the right profile?

  • Nationality: non- or under-represented Member State in UNESCO. (To consult current geographical distribution within the Organization, please click here).
  • Age:  32 years maximum. Candidates must be born not earlier than 1st January 1983.
  • Education: an advanced university degree in education, culture, science, social and human sciences or communication, or in a field of direct relevance to the management and administration of an international organization.
  • Languages: fluent English or French. Knowledge of both working languages is an asset. Knowledge of Spanish, Russian, Arabic or  Chinese is an additional asset.
  • Experience: initial professional experience is an asset, but not mandatory.
  • Values: Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity and a strong commitment to the UNESCO's mission.

The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) /Associate Expert (AE) Programme

The JPO/AE Programme provides the opportunity for young university graduates and young qualified professionals to acquire training and work experience in technical cooperation and in management and administration of multilateral programmes and projects either within UNESCO’s Field Offices or at Headquarters. JPO/AEs are recruited under bilateral agreements between UNESCO and the donor countries*, generally for a duration of 2 to 3 years.

Who are we looking for?

 Do you have the right profile?

  • Age: Candidates are normally under the age of thirty-two when applying for an JPO/AE position.
  • Education: a university degree in education, culture, science, social and human sciences or communication, or in a field of direct relevance to the management and administration of an international organization.
  • Languages: fluent English or French and a good knowledge of the other working language. Knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian is an additional asset.
  • Previous experience: an initial professional experience is an asset, but is not mandatory.
  • Nationality: candidates for the JPO/AE Programme are normally nationals of the Donor country* funding their assignment to UNESCO. Applicants from developing countries may also be considered by certain Donor Governments.
  •  Values: Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity and a strong commitment to the UNESCO mission.