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The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is accepting applications for its 2026 Development and Sustainability examination. The programme provides a route into an international civil service career with the UN Secretariat for eligible graduates. No previous work experience is required.
Organization: United Nations Secretariat
Programme: Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026
Exam area: Development and Sustainability
Job opening ID: 285586
Level: Opening advertised at P-2; roster for P-1/P-2 vacancies
Location: Various UN duty stations worldwide
Experience: No work experience required
Posted: October 16, 2026
Deadline: November 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. New York time
About the programme
The examination covers economics, statistics, social affairs, environmental issues, sustainable development, technology and digital transformation, and programme management support. Relevant placements are primarily in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Regional Commissions.
Successful candidates join a recruitment roster valid for three years. Placement on the roster does not guarantee an offer of employment. Candidates selected from the roster receive an initial two-year fixed-term contract. A continuing contract may follow, subject to satisfactory performance.
Applicants must be willing to serve at any UN duty station or field operation. Offices may include Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, New York, Santiago and Vienna.
Who can apply?
- Be aged 32 or younger by the end of 2026: born on or after January 1, 1994.
- Hold at least a relevant bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree of at least three years.
- Be fluent in English or French. The notice specifies UN Level II in reading, writing, listening and speaking in either language.
- Be a national of a participating Member State for the 2026 cycle.
Relevant degrees include economics, statistics, data science, social affairs, environment, sustainable development or a related field. Accepted main courses of study are listed under Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery; Business and Administration; Computing; Environmental Protection; Humanities; Law; Mathematics and Statistics; and Social and Behavioural Science. Check the full notice to confirm that your degree meets the requirements.
No work experience is required. If more than 90 applicants from the same country apply to the same exam area, additional screening considers education, knowledge of official UN languages and relevant work experience.
Participating countries
Applicants must hold the nationality of one of the participating Member States for the 2026 examination and meet the age, education and language requirements.
The participating Member States listed in the notice are: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vanuatu.
Examination and selection process
- Application screening: the UN checks eligibility and may apply additional country-level screening.
- Online written examination, Part I: tentatively expected in February 2027. This includes a General Paper and specialized multiple-choice questions.
- Online written examination, Part II: expected one to two months later, with specialized open-ended questions. Only candidates successful in Part I progress.
- Oral examination: candidates successful in the overall written examination are invited to an online oral examination. The anticipated period is mid-2027.
These dates are tentative. Invited candidates receive confirmed dates and preparation guidance from the UN. Candidates need a computer, reliable internet and a suitable location for the online examination.
Required documents
- A scanned passport or valid state-issued identification document showing your name, date of birth, nationality and photograph.
- University degree documentation, such as a diploma, transcript or similar official document reflecting the selected main course of study.
Benefits and salary
The programme offers entry-level professional recruitment opportunities and professional development within the UN Secretariat. Selected roster candidates receive an initial two-year fixed-term contract. The notice does not state a salary amount.
How to apply
- Open the official vacancy and confirm job opening 285586, titled YPP Exam: Development and Sustainability (for external applicants).
- Read the full notice and select Apply Now to access Inspira.
- Complete your applicant profile and select the closest appropriate degree fields. The notice warns applicants not to select “other” for the main course of study or field of study, as this leads to automatic disqualification. Enter your exact degree title and its English or French translation in the additional comment boxes where instructed.
- Attach the required identity and university documents. Review all information before submitting: submitted applications cannot be amended.
- Submit by November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. New York time.
Eligible UN Secretariat General Service staff applying through the G-to-P or G-to-N tracks must use the appropriate staff opening rather than this external vacancy. Other applicants, including UN Volunteers, JPOs, National Officers and interns, use the external opening.
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment.
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