Recruitment step by step Once you have applied for a Professional post, your application will go through the various stages of the recruitment process. It may be several months after the closing date for an application before you are informed of our final decision.

 

A large number of applications are submitted every year and are subject to thorough evaluation and a rigorous selection process.

Your chances of being recruited will depend on the outcome of the evaluation of your application at the various stages of the recruitment process. In order to guarantee that recruitment is fully transparent, applications are examined by multicultural evaluation committees which make recommendations based on the post requirements.

Recruitment process for Professional posts:

1. Vacancy notice
You normally have two to three months to apply for a post open to recruitment from the time the vacancy is posted. All vacancy notices may be consulted on the UNESCO site under the list of vacancies.

2. Registration of applications
If you have applied online, your application will be registered automatically and you will receive immediate confirmation by email. Applications off-line (by post) will be acknowledged within a few weeks.

3. Screening of applicants
After the closing date for the submission of applications, a committee will shortlist a number of applicants.
The professional qualifications of the applicants and their individual profiles are the key criteria used in screening.
The committee assesses the professional qualifications of the candidates, bearing in mind at all times the requirements of the vacant post, by examining their academic qualifications, their professional and international experience and also their language skills and other relevant knowledge and abilities.

4. Final evaluation
Among the shortlisted candidates, those who are particularly suited for the vacant post will be invited for an interview. UNESCO will check the references relating to your previous professional experience.
With a view to recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible, from among equally qualified applicants, priority will be given to those from unrepresented or under-represented countries.

5. Appointment decision
The recruitment process ends with the selection of an applicant to fill the vacant post. This is how UNESCO will inform you of the outcome of your application:
- If your application is successful, UNESCO will send you a letter of appointment as rapidly as possible.
- If your application is not successful, UNESCO will inform you by email or by post according to whether you applied online or off-line.

Recruitment Status

How to check the progress of the recruitment process To check the progress of the recruitment process for any vacant post, click on Status and you can see whether applications are still being processed or the date on which a final decision was made. If you have applied online, you can also consult the status of your previous applications from your user account. For more information, see the Online application guide.