About United Nations Young Professional Program 2026
The United Nations (UN) has officially opened applications for the 2025 United Nations Young Professional Program 2026 (YPP) — a unique opportunity for talented and highly motivated individuals to start a career with the UN and contribute to international peace, development, and human rights.
The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative designed to attract young professionals from member states that are underrepresented or not represented in the UN Secretariat. Successful applicants will be offered the chance to start an international career as a UN staff member (P-1/P-2 level), gaining global exposure, professional development, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the world.
United Nations Young Professional Program 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2025 UN YPP, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Nationality:
Must be a national of a country participating in the 2025 YPP exam (check the list of eligible countries on the UN YPP website).
Age:
Applicants must be 32 years old or younger as of 31 December 2025.
Education:
Must hold at least a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) relevant to the job family being recruited for.
Language:
Must be fluent in English or French, the working languages of the United Nations.
Work Experience:
No prior professional experience is required, but relevant work experience may be an advantage.
United Nations Young Professional Program 2026 Exam Areas (Job Families)
The 2025 YPP exam will cover specific job families (fields of work), which are published annually. Applicants may only apply for one job family. Full details of job families for 2025 are available on the UN YPP website.
United Nations Young Professional Program 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of:
- Online Application Submission via the UN Careers Portal.
- Screening and Evaluation of qualifications.
- Written Examination – assessing substantive and general competencies.
- Interview Stage – for candidates who pass the written exam.
Successful candidates will be placed on a roster from which UN entities may recruit.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 14 December 2025
- Application Portal: careers.un.org/ypp?language=en
Why Apply?
- Join a globally respected institution.
- Work with diverse, talented individuals from around the world.
- Build a long-term international career with real impact.
- Benefit from training, mentoring, and global mobility opportunities.
How to Apply for the United Nations Young Professional Program 2026
- Visit the official UN YPP website: careers.un.org/ypp
- Review the list of participating countries and job families.
- Prepare your documents (degree, ID, CV, and language proof if required).
- Submit your online application before 14 December 2025.
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