Working at the United Nations is a dream job for many people because it is one of the most prestigious international non-governmental organizations. Landing a job at the UN is very competitive, and it helps to understand how to get a job at the UN.
Working at the UN is an exciting and satisfying career for people who want to make big changes in the world. You can be a part of this organization that provides food assistance to 97 million people. In this article, we’ll cover open UN jobs, how to apply at the UN, and share tips on how to improve your UN application.
UN: Company Background
The United Nations is an international organization that was founded in 1945 after World War II by representatives of 50 countries to help facilitate world peace. The goal of the UN charter was to prevent another world war. The organization now exists to maintain world peace and security, protect human rights, and uphold international law.
The UN now consists of 193 member states that gather together to discuss problems and find solutions to help people all over the world. The UN has 40 programs and specialized agencies and 28 peacekeeping operations. It is governed by a secretary-general who is appointed by the general assembly by the recommendation of the security council.
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at the UN?
It is very hard to land a job at the UN. The UN is a highly prestigious and globally recognized organization, and many people want to work there. The hiring rate for UN jobs is low because many highly qualified applicants compete for relatively few jobs. The UN job application process is complex, and you will need to go through multiple stages with hundreds of candidates.
Entry-level positions require a minimum of a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in your field. The requirement for some higher-level roles is a minimum of 15 years of experience. The UN accepts applications based on recommendations, but those who are recommended still have to go through the application process.
How to Apply for a Job at the UN
- Search for job openings. To get a job at the UN, you first need to search for available job openings. You can search on their official website or through job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor. You can create an account to get email notifications for new job openings.
- Create a profile and prepare an application. When you find a job you want to apply for, you’ll need to fill out an online application. The UN doesn’t accept attached resumes, so you will have to include all information that you think is important.
- Submit your job application. Once you have filled out your application, you will be required to answer some questions based on the job requirements. You can’t edit an application after submission, so be sure to review it before you click submit.
- Assessment exercise. If your application shows that you are qualified for the role, you will take an assessment exercise. The exercise might be a written exam, simulation exercise, case study, or similar activity.
- Competency-based interview. After you pass the assessment exercise, the next step is a competency-based interview focused on your skills and personality. t can be conducted by phone, video call, or in-person. It is very important to prepare for the interview.
- Selection. If you are selected for the role, you will get a notification informing you about the decision. Congratulations, you did it!
UN Application Process
The UN application process is complex with multiple stages. It starts with your application and includes an assessment and interview before the selection stage. At every stage, you need to prove that you are the right candidate. The application process is the same for everyone, regardless of the position you’re applying for.
UN Interview Questions
- Tell me about the last time you worked as part of a team to complete a project.
- Tell us about a situation when you went above and beyond your manager’s expectations.
- What are the three values that are most important to you and how do they translate into your work?
- How do you handle multiple projects with competing deadlines?
- Give an example of a time when you had to use your problem-solving abilities to resolve an issue.
What’s It Like to Work at the UN?
Working at the UN is a great experience because the company provides numerous benefits to employees. With competitive salaries, meaningful work, and great coworkers, you’ll feel like you are part of a dream team.
Work with Motivated Teams
The UN is an organization that seeks to maintain peace and security in the world while helping populations in need. Employees who work at the UN are passionate about helping people. As a member of this organization, the teams you work with will be highly motivated and willing to help each other solve problems.
High Pay
Employees at the United Nations are paid well. Regardless of your position, you will make enough to satisfy your expenses and live a comfortable life.
Help Solve Major Global Issues
When you work at the UN, you get to help solve significant global issues. This inspiring purpose makes it an ideal workplace for those passionate about helping people.
UN Benefits
- Paid holidays and leave. UN employees get 18 to 30 days of paid leave plus an additional 10 organization-wide holidays per year.
- Health insurance. Employees can join United Nations-sponsored medical insurance plans. It is a monthly plan with costs shared between the employee and the organization.
- Retirement pension. After six months of continuous service, employees start participating in the UN’s retirement pension.
- Assignment grant. An assignment grant is given to employees who are transferred to a new location. This is given to help them meet the initial costs of relocation.
- Travel and shipping expenses. The UN covers travel and shipping costs when you transfer to a new location duty station.
- Dependency allowances. Dependency allowances are paid to any dependent spouse or child of a UN employee.
- Education grant. Employees with children in school also get education grants to support their kids’ tuition or living expenses.
- Hazard Pay. Employees can receive additional hazard pay when working on dangerous assignments.
UN Career Opportunities: Job Titles and Descriptions
There is a wide range of job openings available at the UN. In this section, we’ll cover some available job openings with salary, benefits, required education, and required experience.
Deputy Executive Director
- Salary: $210,000
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel, and shipping expenses
- Required Experience: Fifteen years in project/program management or administration, five years working with the private sector
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, or related area or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience
This position is for an experienced professional who will lead and supervise the United Nations Global Compact Office’s overall strategy and work program. You will report on budget and program performance to intergovernmental bodies and ensure that all parts of the team are working well together.
Economic Affairs Officer
- Salary: $129,296
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel, and shipping expenses
- Required Experience: Five years in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and applying economic principles in development programs
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Economics or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of hands-on experience
This position requires you to work with the Global Economic Monitoring Branch (GEMB) of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). You will work on monitoring macroeconomic trends, policy, and developmental issues for a group of countries, and you’ll be responsible for reporting your findings.
Political Affairs Officer
- Salary: $127,437
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances
- Required Experience: Five years in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, or related area
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Economics, or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of hands-on experience
This role works in the Office of Counter-Terrorism in Budapest. You will be in charge of gathering information from different sources and staying updated on political events in the country. You will analyze trends and developments at the national and regional levels while providing technical support to implement policies.
Human Rights Officer
- Salary: $115,880
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance
- Required Experience: Five years in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or related area
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or related area or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant work experience
This position works in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. You will plan and organize human rights and disability events, assist the government in implementing human rights policies, represent the UN at human rights and disability events in the country, and write reports.
Information Systems Officer
- Salary: $107,701
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance
- Required Experience: Five years in design, development, and maintenance of computer information systems or related area
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of qualifying work experience
This position is responsible for managing projects related to developing and maintaining computer programs. You’ll need to perform integrated testing, develop training materials, and supervise new and junior staff.
Spatial Data Officer
- Salary: $112,800
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance
- Required Experience: Five years in geospatial data management, applied spatial analytics, mapping, geodatabase and applications development, data visualization, or related field
- Required Education: Graduate degree in land system science, remote sensing, geography, or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of qualifying experience
As a spatial data officer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing a national virtual data center, facilitating the data management task force, and performing targeted spatial analyses. You’ll also need to prepare technical assessments, ensure high-quality results, and collaborate with partners.
Public Information Officer
- Salary: $107,709
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance
- Required Experience: Seven years in public information, journalism, international relations, or related field, three years of international field experience in public information, two years as a speechwriter
- Required Education: Graduate degree in communications, journalism, international relations, or related field or bachelor’s degree with qualifying experience
This role involves writing comprehensive speeches for humanitarian outreach, developing strategic partnerships, building information networks, and managing publications programs. This role requires proficiency in English and additional languages.
Senior Information Management Officer
- Salary: $97,460
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance
- Required Experience: 10 years in modern archives management, record keeping, information management, or related area
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Archival Science, Information Science, or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience
This senior position works in the Office of Information and Communications Technology in New York. You will be a spokesperson for the Office of Information, participate in professional leadership, give policy advice, develop and monitor best practices, measure performance, and direct the information management team.
Programme Management Officer
- Salary: $94,000
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances
- Required Experience: Seven years in project management, administration, international relations, or related area
- Required Education: Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Economics, or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience
The responsibilities of this position, located in Doha, include developing and implementing projects, generating survey initiatives, and organizing data. You will also implement UN-approved projects, coordinate outreach initiatives and policy development, and supervise professional and administrative staff.
Coordination Officer
- Salary: $75,000
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement pension, holidays and leave, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance
- Required Experience: Seven years in environment, engineering, climate change, or related field
- Required Education: Master’s Degree or Engineering, Technology, Environmental Science, or related field or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience
In this position, you will work as a member of the United Nations Environment Programme to improve links between member organizations to bring financial support to developing countries. You’ll also work to improve the capacity of developing countries, coordinate all administrative tasks, and make sure technical support for climate technologies is collaborative.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at the UN?
To get a job at the UN, you have to be outstanding and experienced in your field. The organization looks for candidates who have the relevant qualifications and meaningful career experiences. You need to prove that you are motivated to carry out the organization’s mission.
How to Get a Job at the UN FAQ
To get a job at the UN, you need to meet the experience requirements which are a minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant field, two to 15 years of experience, depending on the role, and multiple language proficiencies. You can also work as a United Nations volunteer in a temporary staff role or apply for internship programs.
You need a minimum of a master’s degree to work for the United Nations. An equivalent of a bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant working experience will suffice in some positions.
Working for the UN is worth it. You’ll have the opportunity to work on a broad range of meaningful projects and participate in professional development programs. The UN offers many benefits, an impressive salary, and a motivated team.
Yes, UN jobs pay well. Employees in all job categories get competitive pay, attractive allowances, and additional benefits.
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