How to Apply for UN Jobs — A Complete Guide

Updated 2025 · 8 min read

Landing a job at the United Nations or one of its agencies is competitive but achievable with the right preparation. This guide walks you through every step — from checking eligibility to submitting your application and preparing for interviews.

1. Eligibility Requirements

Most UN professional positions require an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field, although a first-level degree combined with qualifying experience is accepted for some roles. You must also be a national of a UN Member State.

Age: There is no general age limit for most posts. However, the mandatory retirement age for UN staff is 65, so agencies typically expect candidates to contribute for a reasonable period. Some junior programmes (e.g. internships) have upper age guidelines, though these vary by agency.

Language: English and French are the two primary working languages of the UN Secretariat. Most professional posts require fluency in at least one, with working knowledge of a second. Some agencies and regional offices place greater emphasis on Arabic, Spanish, Russian or Chinese (the other UN official languages).

Work authorization: For internationally recruited professional grade posts, the UN provides a visa and work authorization. For general service positions, you must already be eligible to work in the duty station country.

2. Where to Find UN Vacancies

Vacancies are published across dozens of separate agency portals, which makes comprehensive searches time-consuming. Here are the main sources:

GloJobs — aggregates listings from WHO, UNDP, WFP, UNHCR, FAO, UNESCO, ILO, UNOPS, IAEA and 15+ other agencies in one searchable database, updated daily. Start searching here.
UN Careers (careers.un.org) — the official portal for UN Secretariat posts (P-grade and GS-grade positions at UNHQ, UNOG, UNON, UNOV and other Secretariat duty stations).
Individual agency job portals — WHO, UNDP, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, FAO and others each maintain their own recruitment systems. Applications must usually be submitted directly through these platforms.
LinkedIn — many agencies post vacancies on LinkedIn, but always apply through the official portal to ensure your application is received.

Searching by duty station can also help narrow your focus — for example, browsing UN jobs in Geneva, New York, Nairobi, or Rome.

3. Types of UN Contracts and Positions

Understanding contract types is essential before you apply:

Fixed-term appointment (FTA): The standard UN staff contract, typically 1–2 years, renewable. Comes with full UN benefits including post-adjustment, education grant and pension fund membership.
Temporary appointment (TA): Short-term (usually under 12 months). Fewer entitlements than FTA but can be extended or converted.
Consultant / IC: Individual Contractor (IC/IICA/LICA) — no staff status, negotiated daily or monthly fee, no pension or education grant. Flexible entry point used heavily by UNDP, UNOPS, WFP and FAO.
Internship: Short-term learning placement (3–6 months). Most are unpaid or provide a small stipend. Require current enrollment or recent graduation.
JPO (Junior Professional Officer): Funded by donor governments for their nationals, typically 2 years. Excellent pathway into a UN career. Check your country's JPO programme for eligibility.

4. Writing a Strong UN Application

UN applications are evaluated against the specific competencies and requirements listed in the job opening. Generic CVs rarely succeed. Here's what to focus on:

PHP / P11 form: Many UN agencies use a standardized Personal History Profile (PHP or P11) form rather than a traditional CV. Complete every field carefully — incomplete forms are disqualified.
Match the required competencies: Job openings list core competencies (e.g. teamwork, communication, planning) and technical competencies. Use concrete examples from your experience that directly address each one.
Cover letter: Not always required, but if requested keep it to one page and address why you are interested in this specific post and organization.
Education: Degrees must be officially recognised. Provide full details including institution, country, year awarded and field of study.
Language proficiency: Be precise — overstating language skills is easily identified during interviews or assessments.

5. The UN Interview Process

UN recruitment typically follows a structured multi-stage process:

Application review / long-listing: HR screens applications for minimum qualifications. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview.
Written assessment: Many posts include a written test (case study, drafting exercise or technical assessment), conducted remotely or in person.
Competency-based interview: A panel of 3–4 interviewers asks STAR-format questions (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare specific examples from your career for the listed competencies.
Reference checks: References are usually contacted at or after the interview stage. Ensure your referees are informed and available.
Medical clearance and offer: A conditional offer is made subject to medical clearance and any required background checks.

Timelines vary widely — from 3 months to over a year from application to offer. Patience is essential, and following up politely after interviews is acceptable.

6. UN Salary and Benefits

UN professional salaries are set by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and are consistent across most UN system agencies. Key components:

Base salary: Set by grade and step, denominated in USD. See the UN grades overview and the salary calculator for figures by duty station.
Post adjustment: A cost-of-living multiplier added on top of base salary, varying by city. Geneva and New York carry significantly higher post-adjustments than most field duty stations.
Dependency allowances: Spouse and child allowances for eligible staff.
Education grant: Covers schooling costs for children of internationally recruited staff.
UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF): Staff contribute 7.9% of pensionable remuneration; the organization contributes 15.8%.
Tax exemption: UN salaries are exempt from national income tax in most (not all) Member States.

Browse all duty station salaries or calculate take-home pay by country on the salary page.

7. Top Tips for Success

Start with an internship or consultancy. Many UN staff began as interns or short-term consultants. These roles provide critical inside experience and network connections. Browse current internships.
Be specific about your target. The UN system employs over 44,000 people across 40+ agencies. Focus your efforts on 2–3 organizations that best match your background.
Network intentionally. Attend UN-hosted events, connect with current staff on LinkedIn, and inform your network of your job search.
Apply early and often. Many UN vacancies close after 2–3 weeks. Set up job alerts on GloJobs to be notified of new posts.
Tailor every application. Read the job opening carefully and address every required qualification. One strong, tailored application beats ten generic ones.
Be patient. UN recruitment is slow. A process started in January may not result in an offer until late summer. Keep applying to other openings in parallel.