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Working at UNDP
UNDP offers a wide range of opportunities, including fixed-term staff positions requiring different levels of experience and expertise, short-term assignments, as well as internships and other young professional programmes. Please check the UNDP Entry paths section for more information.
Students and recently graduated talent can conduct an internship with UNDP.
Besides, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme provides young, talented professionals with the opportunity to gain a foothold in the UN system. Our recently launched Graduate Programme offers opportunities to promising new graduates with no prior work experience.
To become a UN Volunteer, you can create a profile online using the UN Volunteers' VNAM system. This system can also be used to apply for special calls, including the Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities. Those aged 18-29 years old may apply to work on the frontlines of UNDP operations across the globe by becoming a UN Youth Volunteer.
We also welcome volunteers who cannot join our offices but wish to contribute to our mission remotely. These individuals are invited to explore our opportunities for volunteering online.
UNDP makes sure that our people have the opportunity to learn and grow within the organization, whether they are beginning their careers with UNDP or joining us in a leadership position. We offer a wide range of professional development opportunities for all fixed-term employees and junior professionals. To learn more about professional development opportunities for full-time employees, visit our Learning and Career Development page.
UNDP promotes a culture of work-life balance by offering a large array of benefits to full-time staff including flexible working arrangements, leave policies and other forms of support. To find out more, please visit our Benefits page.
Application Process
You can visit our vacancies page for open positions. Please review our application process and then make sure you fulfill all minimum criteria before continuing with your application.
UNDP uses an online recruitment platform and all applications must be submitted through this system. Applications submitted via email or mail will not be accepted.
For any information regarding UNDP’s application and selection process, please check our “How to Apply” section.
UNDP offers a wide array of job opportunities in diverse fields of activity. We hire experts in the UNDP programmatic areas, but also in operations, communications, partnerships, reporting, etc.
Diverse field experience in developing countries is often a strong asset. Such experience can be obtained through, among other things, work with INGOs or non-profit branches of consulting firms. Project management experience is also an asset for many positions. Typically, an additional UN language (especially French, Spanish or Arabic) will also be an asset.
Most importantly, we are looking for candidates who exhibit a commitment to our mission and values. For more information on the personal and professional qualities we look for, please review our Competency Framework and Values.
UNDP is committed to a diverse workforce and strongly encourages those with disabilities to apply for vacancies. To make sure this is possible, our online recruitment system provides numerous accessibility features. These include: adjustments to monitor settings, keyboard navigation, and the ability to function with a range of standard assistive technologies. To receive this or other support during the application process, applicants with disabilities may select the reasonable accommodation option in UNDP’s online recruitment system.
Internships at UNDP
UNDP internship opportunities are decentralized. Positions are advertised on the main UNDP job site under their respective programmatic area.
You must be enrolled in the last year of a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a master’s studies or have finished your studies within the past year to apply. We do not require previous work experience. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in the field of development and highlight any technological or other expertise relevant to the position.
Internships usually last between 3 and 6 months. For those receiving academic credit, internships may last a maximum of 9 months.
Internship assignments completed as part of national service obligations or a postgraduate professional traineeship program may last up to 12 months.
Unless sponsored by another institution or State, UNDP interns are eligible for a stipend, which is a single monthly rate that varies by duty station.
Internships do not count toward minimum required years of experience. Nevertheless, our internships can provide you with a better understanding of UNDP’s mission and culture, strengthen your network and CV and may lead to opportunities that enhance your chances of joining UNDP in the future.