unicpos : careers : opportunities
Opportunities with the United Nations
Exposure for persons considering a career in the UN, young professionals or persons interested in volunteering with the UN is available through various schemes.
United Nations Internship Programme
The United Nations Headquarters Secretariat Internship Programme is offered on a two-month basis three times a year: Mid-January to mid-March (Spring Session), Early June to early August (Summer Session), Early September to end-October (Fall Session). The programme is normally full-time, i.e., interns are expected to work five days a week (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) in the department or office of the Secretariat, which has selected them. As the UN has no provision in its budget to pay interns, all costs connected with internships must be borne by the students concerned or by their sponsoring institutions or governments.
National Competitive Recruitment Examinations
This examination is open to men and women who are nationals of participating member states. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants should hold at least a first-level university degree relevant to the occupational group in which they would like to take the examination. P-2 levels are permanent posts at the entry level; they do not normally require any extensive experience and are filled exclusively through competitive examinations.
United Nations Volunteer
UNV, the volunteer arm of the UN, mobilizes qualified UN Volunteers and encourages people to become active in volunteering in their countries. It is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and works through UNDP's country offices around the world.
Junior or Young Professionals Programmes
JPOs are government-sponsored young professionals who have completed at least a masters degree, have strong foreign language skills, and have at least two years of subsequent professional work experience, often in an international setting. JPOs are assigned for two years, most often in the field. It must be stressed that each organization recruits its own JPOs, therefore, you must fill in the application form for each organization that interests you.
Organizations include:
FAO, ILO, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIDO, World Bank
