The United Nations is looking for highly qualified candidates who are
ready to launch a professional career as an international civil
servant. The young professionals programme (YPP) is a recruitment
initiative that brings new talent to the United Nations through an
annual entrance examination. For young, high-calibre professionals
across the globe, the examination is a platform for launching a career
at the United Nations. This programme builds upon the national
competitive recruitment examination (NCRE) which was held for the last
time in 2010.
Are you eligible to participate in the young professionals programme examination?
- Do you hold at least a first-level university degree?
- Are you 32 or younger by the end of this year?
- Do you speak either English and/or French fluently?
- Are you a national of a participating country?
The examination is held worldwide and is open to nationals of
countries participating in the annual recruitment exercise - the list of
participating countries is published annually and varies from year to
year.
This examination is also held for staff members of the United Nations
Secretariat who work within the General Service and other related
categories and aspire to a career within the Professional and higher
categories. For more information about staff members participating in
the young professionals programme, click here.
The examination tests your substantive knowledge, analytical
thinking, drafting abilities, as well as your awareness of international
affairs.
Initially you will be appointed for two years and then be reviewed
for a continuing appointment. The Organization promotes mobility within
and across duty stations and job families. As a new recruit you are
expected to work in at least two different functions and duty stations
within your first five years of service. You will be offered orientation
and mobility training as well as career support. This will help you
adapt and accelerate the learning period leading to productive work and
job satisfaction as an international civil servant.
2012 participating countries
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Andorra | Angola |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | Austria | Azerbaijan |
| Belarus | Belgium | Bhutan | Brazil |
| Brunei Darussalam | Central African Republic | Chad | Colombia |
| Comoros | Cyprus | Estonia | France |
| Georgia | Germany | Greece | Guinea-Bissau |
| Honduras | Hungary | India | Indonesia |
| Iraq | Israel | Italy | Jamaica |
| Japan | Kiribati | Latvia | Lesotho |
| Liberia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
| Malaysia | Mexico | Moldova | Monaco |
| Montenegro | Mozambique | Namibia | Netherlands |
| New Zealand | Norway | Oman | Pakistan |
| Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Poland | Portugal |
| Republic of Korea | Romania | Saint Lucia | Samoa |
| San Marino | Saudi Arabia | Slovakia | Slovenia |
| Solomon Islands | Spain | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Syria | Tajikistan | The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia |
| Togo | Tonga | Turkey | Tuvalu |
| United Kingdom | United States | Vanuatu |