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Graduate Programme
What is the UNDP Graduate Programme
The UNDP Graduate Programme offers a unique and excellent opportunity for talented young graduates to gain hands-on experience in international development work with a UNDP country, regional or headquarters office.
The UNDP Graduate Programme was first launched in 2021, to further UNDP’s workforce diversity, strengthen organizational capacity and build a talent pipeline of committed professionals for the next generation of workforce dedicated to progress Sustainable Development Goals through UNDP. Complementing other young talent programmes, the Graduate Programme targets recent graduates from UNDP programme countries in the global south.
UNDP has launched two cohorts of the Graduate Programme. The first cohort in 2021 attracted more than 38,000 applicants from over 130 UNDP programme countries and 33 candidates were selected for the talent pool of whom 18 were deployed in 2022. The second cohort in 2022 attracted over 37,000 applicants from 145 UNDP programme countries with 36 candidates selected for the talent pool of whom 18 were deployed in 2023-2024.
Graduates are deployed in one of the countries, regional, or headquarters offices. The map below shows an overview of duty stations where the first two cohort graduates are deployed.
Who can apply
The UNDP Graduate Programme helps fuel the next generation UNDP workforce while infusing the organization with new and diverse perspectives.
The Graduate Programme is part of UNDP’s entry-level offer to young professionals.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Must be from a UNDP programme country. Women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous peoples groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Graduates who are the first generation in their family to attend university are also strongly encouraged to apply.
- Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field with a maximum of 1 year relevant work experience, OR
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
- Have a strong interest in pursuing a career in international development and ready to help accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Have strong systems-thinking, innovation and/or digital skills.
- Language skills: Fluency in English in both spoken and written; working knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish may be an asset or a requirement for some positions.
- Ready to live and work for 2 years in another country.
Graduate Stories
Who can apply
The UNDP Graduate Programme helps fuel the next generation UNDP workforce while infusing the organization with new and diverse perspectives.
The Graduate Programme is part of UNDP’s entry-level offer to young professionals.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Must be from a UNDP programme country. Women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous peoples groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Graduates who are the first generation in their family to attend university are also strongly encouraged to apply.
- Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field with a maximum of 1 year relevant work experience, OR
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
- Have a strong interest in pursuing a career in international development and ready to help accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Have strong systems-thinking, innovation and/or digital skills.
- Language skills: Fluency in English in both spoken and written; working knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish may be an asset or a requirement for some positions.
- Ready to live and work for 2 years in another country.
What it offers
The Graduate Programme serves to equip outstanding young graduates with the skills and experience required to kick-start a career in international development, accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, build better futures and make a positive difference in the world.
International Assignment
The Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to contribute to UNDP’s mandate. It offers a 2-year assignment with one of our countries, regional, or headquarter offices. Assignments are in areas related to the Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on two streams:
- Programme and Policy: In this stream participants contribute to UNDP’s programmes and project activities.
- Corporate Operations: In this stream participants contribute to management services that support effective implementation of UNDP programmes, or work in the area of organisational policies, processes, and oversight.
Personal Growth
We offer participants a customised Formation Journey. This learning path provides an opportunity to enhance knowledge, stretch capabilities and give real-world experience alongside some of the brightest minds in the development world.
As a pathway into the world of development, the Graduate Programme offers talented graduates a strategic exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development, while providing a valuable entry point into UNDP and the wider UN system.
Next recruitment campaign: 2nd Quarter of 2025
The call for applications is currently closed. A new recruitment campaign for Cohort 3 is planned to be launched in the second quarter of 2025. More details will be shared soon.