Want to Work at the UN? Here is What You Need to Know
From November 2022 to July 2023, I was a Junior Professional Consultant with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Headquarters in NYC. I worked remotely while my duty station was New York City. I also visited the office during my time.
Making the Most of Your UN Experience
From my experience, here are some tips if you are an intern/fellow at a United Nations Agency.
Network Within your Team: Speak to people within your team and ask to be connected to others they may know. Also, prioritize getting to know everyone in your team during your first couple of weeks. Get to know other interns/fellows in your division and the agency, as they are a good source for events happening.
Sign Up for Mailing Lists: Ensure you are on the mailing list of your division, and if you are an intern/fellow, there is also a mailing list for that division. Attending events, especially with interns/fellows, is a great way to meet other people.
Use the directory within the organization: I spent a lot of time looking at the directory and getting to know different divisions and who works in them. If there was a role I thought was interesting, I would send an email to connect with people. While you do this, I would advise not to start with very senior people
Check if you have access to the UN Building: If you do, make sure to attend some of the events occurring at UN HQ during the year.
Putting a plug, if you are working or ever visit the UN, I liked Remi43 Flower & Coffee shop close to the office.
Your Path to the UN: Entry Programs Guide
If you are looking to enter the UN System, here are some programs to consider applying for. Check these websites regularly, as opportunities may arise at any time during the year.
Young Professionals Program (YPP): The YPP is open once a year to nationals of participating countries, and the application usually opens in June each year. Countries that are underrepresented at the UN are usually invited to participate in YPP. These countries change on a yearly basis.
UN agencies may have their own specific YPP, such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
United Nations Associations: Have opportunities to connect people in a COuntry to the United Nations
United Nations Association in Canada: International Internship Programme For Students (IIPS), Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply
Junior Professional Officer Programs (JPO): These programs are usually posted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and eligibility depends on your nationality.
Internship Programs: Most UN offices run internship programs. Check the UN agency you are interested in and see if they have applications open. If you are looking to work at the United Nations HQ, check out this website.
Consultants: Check various UN organizations’ websites to apply for consultant roles. Ensure you meet the criteria and years of experience required, have a plan for your budget which includes travel costs and health insurance, and develop a proposal if applicable.
UNDP Graduate Program: This program is for young graduates looking to gain experience at UNDP. Eligibility criteria include a Master’s Degree and one year of work experience, or a Bachelor’s degree and up to 2 years of work experience.
Special Opportunity for African Women
African Young Women Leadership Programme: This program is developed by UNDP and the African Union. This program usually has a call every second year and African women get placed at UN agencies on the continent. Here is a link to an information session about this program, and here is a link to a session by previous fellows.
Consider booking a 1:1 service to get more insight into your career journey or a resume/cover letter review service.
