The UN Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2026, a transformative global career summit, hosted by the United Nations Secretariat, invites emerging global leaders to embark on a career-defining journey starting across UN duty stations like New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Santiago, and Vienna. Launched in 2010, YPP has empowered 4,000+ professionals from 100+ participating countries, fostering global diplomacy and multicultural collaboration. Aligned with UN’s 2030 Agenda, it equips young talent to address global challenges in areas like peacekeeping, human rights, and sustainable development through a two-stage examination process. Participants engage in specialized training, policy analysis, and field operations, shaping international policies at UN’s global hubs.
The examination focuses on six key areas: Political Affairs & Human Rights, advancing conflict resolution; Humanitarian Affairs, supporting crisis response; Human Resources, optimizing talent management; Administration, streamlining operations; Management & Analysis, enhancing data-driven strategies; and Finance & Budget, ensuring fiscal efficiency. Past exams like Political Affairs paper, tested 75% scenario-based questions, inspiring 80% of candidates to pursue UN roster placements. Conducted online via Inspira, the Stage 1 exam includes multiple-choice and constructed-response questions, while Stage 2 features a competency-based video interview. Successful candidates join a roster for P-1/P-2 entry-level roles, with 90% securing posts within three years.
Rostered candidates access pre-assignment e-modules via careers.un.org, preparing for roles with mentors from UN bodies like DESA or DGC. Orientation programs, New York summit, onboarded 200+ professionals, fostering cross-cultural synergy. Networking events, such as Geneva’s Peace Forum or Nairobi’s SDG Summit, generate 100,000+ social media engagements annually. The program integrates AI-driven analytics, trending in global diplomacy, to simulate policy scenarios. Side events at Vienna’s UN City or Bangkok’s ESCAP headquarters spark multidisciplinary dialogue in global career hubs, with New York hosting 50% of YPP roles.
Since 2010, YPP has launched trailblazers like Xuan Che, a 2023 DESA statistician, whose data frameworks shaped SDG 5 policies. Conducted in English or French with a 20–25-hour exam preparation commitment, it ensures accessibility for global candidates. The UN YPP Framework, rooted in diversity, innovation, and global impact, is showcased at UN General Assembly side events. The cohort aims to spark 50,000+ career initiatives, advancing peace, human rights, and global governance. Candidates explore UN ecosystems, from Geneva’s Palais des Nations to Nairobi’s UNEP headquarters, immersing in diplomacy’s epicenter.
Join emerging global leaders to ignite career breakthroughs, shape international futures, and drive transformative impact with UN Young Professionals Program 2026!
UN Young Professionals Program:
Host Organization:
•United Nations (UN)
Exam Location:
•Online
Examination Process:
•November- February
Benefits of the UN Young Professionals Program:
•The exam will be conducted online so you don’t have to travel anywhere.
•Opportunity to work in the UN which is an internationally recognized organization.
•Chance to explore and work in a new country after selection.
•Opportunity to get promoted to different fields and countries.
Eligibility Criteria for UN Young Professionals Program:
Applicants applying must:
1. Be citizens of a participating country.
2. Have a bachelor’s degree or any 3-4 years degree which is relevant to the exam subject.
3. Be 32 years old or younger than this.
4. Be fluent in French or English.
5. Must be proficient in all 4 elements including reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
6. Be from a country that is under-represented in the United Nations.
7. Attach scanned copies of the required documents with the application form to confirm their eligibility.
8. Applicants must pay a USD 19 registration fee.
List of Eligible Countries:
•Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait.
•Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea.
•Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
Documents Required for the United Nations Young Professionals Program:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Academic degree.
3. Academic transcript (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
7. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
8. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
Program Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in June 2026!
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
