The United Nations (UN) has opened applications for its Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026, offering entry‑level career opportunities with the UN Secretariat for eligible nationals of participating countries.
What Is YPP?
The YPP is a recruitment initiative for talented young professionals seeking to start their careers at the UN. Successful candidates who clear the examination process will be placed on a roster valid for three years. While placement does not guarantee employment, candidates selected from the roster will initially receive a two‑year fixed‑term contract. With satisfactory performance, they may later be offered a continuing contract.
Positions are at the P‑1 and P‑2 levels, corresponding to entry‑level professional and associate officer roles. Duty stations include New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Bangkok, Addis Ababa, Beirut, Santiago, Vienna, and other UN offices worldwide.
Areas of Work
For 2026, YPP positions are focused on Development and Sustainability, primarily within the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), UNCTAD, and regional commissions. Roles span economic affairs, social affairs, population studies, statistics, data science, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Examination Details
The YPP examination will test knowledge in economics, statistics, social affairs, environmental issues, sustainable development, and related areas such as technology and programme management. The exam is designed to assess conceptual understanding and practical application across multiple disciplines.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold at least a first‑level university degree (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field such as economics, statistics, data science, social sciences, environment, or sustainable development. Advanced degree holders are also encouraged to apply.
Accepted categories include:
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery
- Business and Administration
- Computing
- Environmental Protection
- Humanities
- Law
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Social and Behavioural Science
Candidates must select the closest relevant option in the application system. Choosing “Other” will lead to automatic disqualification.
Work Experience
Prior work experience is not mandatory. However, if more than 90 candidates from the same country apply in one area, relevant experience may be used as an additional screening criterion.