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United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026 – Development and Sustainability Examination
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Publish Date 10/25/2026 Application Deadline 11/30/2026 Opportunity Type Jobs Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Libya Description

The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) offers eligible young graduates and professionals an opportunity to begin an international career with the UN Secretariat through a competitive examination in Development and Sustainability.

The examination targets candidates with relevant university qualifications in areas such as economics, social affairs, environmental studies, statistics, data science, and sustainable development. It is designed for applicants interested in contributing to international development, economic and social policy, environmental issues, and sustainability.

Candidates who successfully pass the examination process are placed on a roster used to fill suitable entry-level professional vacancies at the P-1 and P-2 levels within the UN Secretariat. The roster remains valid for three years. However, passing the examination and being placed on the roster do not guarantee employment, as appointments depend on suitable vacancies and the organisation's staffing needs.
Details
  • Organiser: United Nations Secretariat, through the Young Professionals Programme.
  • Job Opening ID: 285586.
  • Announcement publication date: 16 October 2026.
  • Examination area: Development and Sustainability.
  • Professional level: P-1/P-2, entry-level professional positions.
  • Department/office listed in the announcement: Department of Operational Support.
  • Potential employing entities: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Regional Commissions.
  • Possible duty stations: Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, New York, Santiago, and Vienna. Successful candidates must be willing to serve at any UN duty station or field operation.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of a UN Member State participating in the 2026 YPP. The eligible Arab countries are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Libya.
  • Age: Applicants must be 32 years old or younger by the end of 2026, meaning they must have been born on or after 1 January 1994.
  • Education: At least a first-level university degree, such as a bachelor's degree or equivalent involving at least three years of university study, in a field relevant to the examination.
  • Relevant academic fields: Economics, statistics, data science, social affairs, environmental studies, sustainable development, or related disciplines.
  • Fields listed in the application menu: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery; Business and Administration; Computing; Environmental Protection; Humanities; Law; Mathematics and Statistics; and Social and Behavioural Science.
  • Language proficiency: Fluency in either English or French at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
  • Work experience: Previous work experience is not required. However, relevant experience may be used as an additional screening criterion if more than 90 applicants from the same country apply for the same examination area.
  • Advanced qualifications: Candidates holding master's or doctoral degrees are encouraged to apply, although the minimum requirement is an eligible first-level university degree.
  • International mobility: Candidates must be willing to work at any UN duty station or field operation if appointed.
  • Excluded staff category: UN Secretariat General Service staff who are eligible for the “G to P” or “G to N” mobility tracks must not apply through this vacancy announcement. Other groups, including UN Volunteers, Junior Professional Officers, National Officers, and interns, should follow the announcement's instructions regarding eligibility and application through this route.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Opportunity to begin a UN career: Successful candidates may enter the recruitment pathway for professional positions within the UN Secretariat.
  • Three-year roster placement: Candidates who pass the examination can be placed on a roster used to fill suitable vacancies during its three-year validity period.
  • Potential employment contract: Candidates selected from the roster are offered a two-year fixed-term contract at the beginning of their UN career.
  • Potential continued employment: After two years, a continuing contract may be granted, subject to satisfactory performance and the applicable requirements.
  • International career opportunities: Potential work in economic and social development, statistics, data, population affairs, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
  • Multiple possible duty stations: Potential locations include Beirut, New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and other UN duty stations.
  • Professional development: If appointed, candidates can gain experience in research, policy analysis, report writing, international meetings, technical cooperation, and capacity development.
  • No recruitment fees: The United Nations does not charge applicants for applications, interviews, recruitment procedures, or training.
  • Salary and compensation: The examination announcement does not specify a salary amount or detailed compensation package. These details cannot be confirmed without information about the actual position, duty station, and applicable employment conditions.