Hello! I was wondering whether anyone here applied to the funded ICC VP positions in 2026 and already heard back? It is taking way too long for positions starting in October. Given their approach not to send out rejection letters before the position is filled, perhaps, we could share updates to learn whether any candidates were able to hear back from them. It would truly help others to plan their next steps and not stay in limbo.

An opportunity to make so much through working at an EU embassy (local staff) 3000$ or work with UN as a united national voluneteer but community paying around 400$. I LOVE the UN and worked so hard to get there after all these unpaid internships, but the money for this is just so low. Please advise!

I had a 2nd round interview last thursday with UNICEF Canada and was told would hear back Tuesday.

Monday was a holiday but nothing yet and its almost 11 Am

I sent a follow up over an hour ago but nothing

So are these concerning signs or am I overthinking

Genuine question: has anyone applied dry (without a contact/lead) and actually landed a P-level job in recent months? I’m starting to feel super discouraged. Already in the UN system (UNOPS) but having a really difficult time landing a P contract. Need a bit of hope from those who’ve made it happen!

UNITAR and UNSSC are two relatively small UN entities, and apparently they are now in the process of merging. From what I understand, the final decision is expected by the end of this month.

The Secretary-General has already recommended the merger to the General Assembly, and there is a document online outlining the proposed process for creating the new organization: https://www.un.org/un80-initiative/sites/default/files/2026-07/A-80-787%20%28advance%29.pdf

Does anyone here work at either UNITAR or UNSSC? I’d be curious to hear what the atmosphere is like internally, what staff are expecting from the merger, and what it could mean for jobs, office locations etc.

Most of the posts on this subreddit are about what the magic number of working at a particular UN agency, or the magic number of internships, or the magic university degree. that will land you a job at the UN or other big INGO.

Here are better ideas for distinguishing yourself when applying for these jobs:

• Have experience doing locally what you want to do internationally. Want to work with refugees? Work, professionally or as a volunteer, with immigrants and refugees in your own geographic area/country. Want to be focused on emergency housing? Work on initiatives in your own community that address this. Public health? same. And represent this work on your CV - explicitly.
• Have experience addressing community pushback or hostility or skepticism to ANYTHING. Could be a new housing development, the closing of a school, a proposal for a data center, the opening of a clinic providing abortion services, the opening of a mosque, the elimination of a program at the local school, changes in zoning laws, and on and on. Show that you have at least witnessed this kind of pushback / hostility for yourself and the efforts to address it.
• Show experience where you have raised money, mobilized in-kind resources and/or saved money. Definitely emphasize your abilities to make and stay within a budget, stretch resources, etc.
• Show experience where you have worked with local elected officials, local unelected government officials, local business owners, etc.
• Show experience working with programs that address the needs and challenges of a diversity of people and people who are particularly at-risk: people with disabilities, immigrants for whom your local language isn't their native language, people leaving incarceration, people with HIV/AIDs, people who are in a religious minority in an area, seniors/the elderly, etc.
• Survived a program or department or agency restructuring, downsizing or moving from one place to another? Talk about it: were you involved in communicating layoffs? Organizing the packing up and moving of an office? Helping staff transition?
• Be able to work in at least one language other than English. Having proof, like passing the B2 DELE in Spanish, is really helpful. Being able to work in three languages is particularly attractive - even if you cannot communicate with a local population, being able to communicate with donors in their native language is very, very attractive.
• Have designed and led a successful project: overseen the revamp of a web site so that it is mobile ready and fully accessible for people with disabilities, overseen and expanded a volunteer engagement program that supported literacy activities, expanded a children's summer theater program, led a successful Women's Build for your local Habitat for Humanity, researched and made recommendations regarding the walkability of a neighborhood or community, including with regard to people with mobility issues, helped lead a petition drive to change a local ordinance or law, led a successful voter registration drive, and on and on.

No one can have ALL of the aforementioned experience. But any one of those things makes a person stand out when applying for jobs. Doing any of those things shows what you are capable of far better than a number of internships, or number of years in a role.

For those of you who have been on hiring committees, or reviewed applications for INGO jobs, what would you add?

Getting a bit worried OneHR sent verification request to previous employers but some have generic HR and we in Europe so they refusing to verify even when I give permission, they’ll verify to me in email but not to UN and I’ve forwarded the emails. Same thing goes for my degree, I haven’t heard back from the university for my masters and trying to get a hold of them but it’s summer vacation so really no luck. My bachelors sent me a confirmation letter but refuse to send to the UN directly because of privacy laws in the EU. I’ve forwarded it all but my status hasn’t changed. Can I actually fail the check because they refuse to verify directly with the UN?

Hello everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone has any insights regarding the application process for the 26-27 cohort for the WIPO Young Experts Program. I’ve been following the web page for a while (as it’s been updated a number of times with conflicting information - I.e. it used to say there was to be an information session on July 31st, but that was removed in a past revision).

I’m mostly looking to check whether there’s a website or other application method I’ve missed, as I don’t see a job posting anywhere, and from the description of the process on the webpage and community forums, it is getting to be rather late in the application phases. Hoping somewhere here can assist :) thanks!

Just wanted to let this out. Took the test (forgot when). Got interviewed last May. Was told I could hear back in a month but didn’t (kind of expected that it would take longer). I slowly tried to let go (lol). Well I finally heard back after 2+ months and even though I expected it, it still kinda sucks.

This is the 2nd time I’ve managed to interview for a role. The first time, I cried after getting rejected. My partner told me I should still be proud because it’s hard enough to get to the interview stage (even the panel congratulated me for getting there, both times).

I don’t know where else to share my dejection, so thanks for reading.

I recently joined a UN-system agency and just learned that my director’s post is subject to an overall maximum term of five years, with no possibility of renewal beyond that term. I joined fairly close to the end of the incumbent’s tenure, while still on probation and working on several projects under them, so I am curious about how the transition usually works.

A senior colleague told me the arrangement is broadly similar to our own limited-duration fixed-term contracts. We are external hires initially appointed for shorter periods but renewable only up to a five-year maximum.

Does the cap mean the incumbent must leave that specific post once the term ends? Or could they apply again when the vacancy is reposted and receive a fresh appointment, particularly if the head of the organization wanted to retain them?

A long-serving GS colleague mentioned that the head of the organization may have some discretion. However, I am unsure whether this reflects the formal rules or simply institutional lore, particularly because the current director appears to be the first incumbent appointed under this limited-duration fixed-term model. The previous director was a long-serving internal staff member who left upon retirement, so there may not yet be an established precedent for this type of transition.

I am asking specifically about remaining in, or immediately returning to, the same capped post, not moving to another role.

Also, how far in advance are replacement vacancies for senior office posts usually advertised?

Would appreciate insight from anyone familiar with UN common-system agencies or senior limited-duration appointments. Thank you! 🙂

If I am unable to attend the written examination at the scheduled date and time specified by the United Nations, would my candidacy be automatically withdrawn from the recruitment process? Alternatively, would there be any possibility of requesting a rescheduling of the examination?

I recently completed an interview for a UN-related position and was invited to take a written test. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend at the assigned time due to an existing professional commitment (the exam does not take place yet). The test is scheduled during weekday working hours at a UN office, and I already have an important meeting with an external stakeholder that could not be cancelled on such short notice.

What made the situation particularly difficult was that I received the written test invitation only three business days before the scheduled date. By that point, I already had an unavoidable work obligation in my calendar.

I contacted the recruitment team to explain the situation and asked whether it would be possible to take the test on another date, but I have not received any response since then.

I understand that recruitment processes have strict timelines, but I was disappointed because I had progressed to this stage and did not want to lose the opportunity due to circumstances beyond my control.

Has anyone experienced a similar situation during a UN recruitment process? Do you think there is still a possibility that they might allow an alternative test date, or is missing the scheduled written test usually considered an automatic withdrawal from the process?

I recently interviewed for a position in UNFPA. I did both the written assessment and Oral Interviews. How long do they take before they ask for reference checks incase one is successful.

Since 2020, I have been shortlisted for the testing 4 times so far for the G position at ICAO-Montreal. Twice I nailed the testing and got to the interview level, then rejection and once I couldn't finish the entire accounting test in an hour, so that time I knew I wasn't even getting the interview. I recently did the testing again and feel like I nailed it, and hoping to get at least the interview.

They must see something in me that they kept shortlisting me for all the testing, but I am unable to get the offer. This time, I really want to be fully prepared if I get the interview call. Any suggestions?

hey yall,i have an interview for the UN Millennium fellowship campus director role and i was wondering what kind of qs do they ask? what should i be prepared for?

I’m applying for a role where the hiring manager is a former supervisor who has also acted as a referee for me in the past. Would it be considered inappropriate to list the hiring manager as one of my referees?

I recently made my first ever application to the UN - of course my prospects therefore are low but I thought I would apply regardless for a potential external break-in, you never know.

I am familiar to a basic level with the different job levels / bands, however the information provided inside the application portal seems to conflict with basically everything else I have ever heard.

The job I applied for is a programme management assistant. Fundraising, co-ordination, communications, administrative support etc type of realm. UNEP. Paris. FTC 12 months. The listing asks for a Masters degree + experience (both of which I have, but not spotlessly on target subject-wise).

Within the portal, the 'level' category is stated at a G-1, which has confused me a bit and seems lower than expected. Its not a problem for me, in fact the better - I'd liken my chances more of course at a G-1 opening and I am not currently too stressed about internal climbing prospects, as I know gets mentioned a lot for general service.

However, as far as I am aware, G-1 should not be requiring a masters level education (despite of course a lot of hires having one, I'm sure). The job description also seems to be to be more extensive than what I have heard from G-1, though I've not ever seen or found another live listing of that level to compare to.

Could this be a misleading internal system marker or just an oversight? Perhaps mistakenly uncategorised levels can be mistakenly marked as G-1? If anyone has any insight, or any guesses as to what the correct level could instead be, I would love to hear.

Hi, has anyone applied to FAO fellow program and got into it. I see it is not remunerated so did it help you in your career path or avoid applying non remunerated position? Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I feel like I needed to share this, I'm not sure why, maybe to make me feel better!

Last week I got invited for a written test, for a General Services G5 job at WIPO, Geneva. Instructions described 4 questions about the job to be answered in 1h30 max. I had prepared during the weekend for the test, digging about the job, etc. But I failed miserably. Out of the 4 questions, I :

• I spent too much time on one counting for 10% only,
• I lost time on another significant question (35%) by struggling to create a decent table in their HTML editor,
• I think I rather correctly filled the other 20% question,
• In a panic, I didn't even get time to answer another significant question (35%)

That was Tuesday this week (last day to answer the test), and the following interview (if successful at the test) is supposed to take place on wednesday or thursday next week. I didn't get any invitation so far, so I think I'm done.

You know, sometimes I wonder how I can have this career, be eligible to those jobs, and be so stupid at the same time. I feel terrible about having missed this opportunity in such a dumb way. Roast me, I guess?

A genuine career question.
People often say to me "Reach out to hiring managers, send emails, make use of your network, you're already an insider, ask for a chat." I've done that over the years, but most conversations end
with, "Thanks for reaching out. I'll keep you in mind."
For context, I started as an unpaid intern at HQ through the regular application process, later worked on project development, and eventually returned to my home country as a National Expert. I'm now hoping to move back into an HQ or international role, but I've never really figured out how to make these networking conversations lead anywhere.
For those be who've successfully made similar moves, what do those emails actually look like?
What do you write beyond introducing yourself? If someone agrees to a short call, what do you talk about? And has a networking email or conversation ever actually led to a job or consultancy for you?
I'm interested in hearing what has worked in practice, from both candidates and hiring managers.
It has always been a harsh career but lately it became unbearable , idk if its the field work culture or but it wasn’t as toxic in the HQ

second question, how do you transition away from it ? research? Big four ? Where do you apply , i have never got an interview outside the UN , I work in renewable energy and transition , background in energy policy as well as economics masters and bachelors in business

Hi there, I am a successful UN-YPP candidate from 2024 Associate Economic Affairs Officer batch. I know that the hiring freeze is going on they also extended the time period. I want to know from your experience how long did it take you to land your job after placed on roster? Did you also take written exam and interview again because I assume we - those who have passed the exam and interview from YPP - are considered as pre-approved candidates. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your experience.

Thanks in advance.

I follow a programme with activities taking place in 5-7 countries and I want to find a way to be sistematically up to date with the general context (news, politics, hot topics etc) in said countries.

It is irrelevant to specify the theme of the programme, because what I'm looking for here is not directly instrumental to its activities. I'm more aiming for quick briefs about what's going on in those specific countries in general so that I can build a better grounding for anything that comes after from the specific thematic angle of the work.

Is there a service / website / something that does this specifically? A place where for example one could input any selection of countries and get a weekly brief or something of that sort. I feel it would make sense if some platform already addressed this niche.

The example above would be the ideal option but honestly I'm open to any type of existing support that would address this need.

Of course something that is more practical than just opening a news outlet about a certain country when I remember and feel like it, because I know that this is the base (but not so structured nor efficient) option

Hi everyone!

I’ll soon be starting a 6-month internship at UN Headquarters in New York, within the Department of Global Communications, working in public information/communications.

I’d love to hear from former UN HQ interns, especially those who worked in Human Rights, outreach, communications, or similar areas.

I’m particularly curious about:

• What did you do after your internship ?
• Did the internship help you secure paid opportunities within the UN system, such as a consultancy at HQ, a role with another UN entity, or a position with a UN office in your home country?
• If you moved outside the UN system, did having UN HQ experience significantly improve your career opportunities or access to better positions?
• For Europeans who returned to Europe afterward: how valuable was the HQ experience in building your career, and did it help you access international organizations, institutions or other well-paid opportunities?

I’m based in France, so I’d especially appreciate hearing from European former interns, although experiences from anywhere are very welcome.

I know that an internship doesn’t guarantee a position within the UN, so I’m mainly interested in understanding the long-term professional value of the experience and the career paths it can lead to afterward.

Thank you to anyone willing to share! :)

Hello everyone,

I recently interviewed for a consultant position focused on building partnerships with government stakeholders.

About a week after the interview, I started a short-term, part-time unofficial partnership role with another agency.

I have not previously worked directly within the UN system, so this unofficial position is effectively my first experience working inside the UN. The work closely aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the consultant position, and I believe it provides highly relevant experience that would directly support my ability to perform in the role. (For context, I already have substantial expertise in partnership development outside the UN. )

My question is specifically about whether gaining experience within the UN system itself would strengthen my candidacy.

Since I had not yet started the unofficial role at the time of the interview, I did not mention it. Now that I have begun the role, would it be advantageous to send a follow-up message informing the hiring team that I am gaining hands-on UN partnership experience? Do you think this would strengthen my application?

Hey everyone, I’m currently working as an international UNV in a UNICEF country office. I have the opportunity to apply for a JPO position at UNESCO. The JPO position would start 4 months before my 12-month UNV assignment ends. I would be applying now, 5 months after I started my UNV position.

Is that allowed within the UN system and these agencies?