Applying for a job in the UN requires some preparation, so we created a step-by-step guide to give you an overview of this process.
Searching for job openings
Job openings at the United Nations are posted daily on this website. You can also search according to location and your area of expertise.
If you want to receive e-mails letting you know about newly posted jobs, you must first create and log into your Inspira account. You can then perform a Job Search that can be saved to generate a Job Alert that matches your search criteria.
For instructions on how to create a Job Alert, please see the Applicant Guide (p.3).
Submitting a job application
Once you find a job in Job Openings and decide to apply, click on “Apply”. This will link you directly to Inspira, where you can log in and either begin a new application or choose an existing application to adapt.
Depending on the job you are applying for you may get a set of questions. Similarly, you may be given a list of skills and be asked to perform a self-assessment on these.
Note: resumes are not considered a substitute or complementary to a completed online application. If any additional information or documentation is required, you will be asked to submit it during the application process.
If you have submitted your job application successfully, you will receive an automated confirmation by email shortly after submitting. Also note that once an application has been submitted it cannot be changed for that specific job opening.
Evaluation of the application
Your application is evaluated in terms of experience, education, and skills. Only if it is determined that you meet most or all of the requirements you will be contacted to undergo an assessment i.e. a knowledge-based test or another type of simulation exercise.
If it is determined that you are not eligible—or only meet some or none of the requirements for a particular job—you will be informed, at the appropriate time, that your application was unsuccessful for this particular job. In this case, you should not be discouraged but apply for other jobs for which you feel you are qualified.
Assessment exercise
The assessment exercise could be either a written exam or any other type of simulation exercise or case study. You will be informed in advance of the time, type, and length of the assessment. If, based on the result of the assessment, you are considered a good fit, you will be short-listed for a competency-based interview.
Competency-based interview
The competency-based interview can take place either via telephone, video conference or in person. You will be notified in advance of the time, duration and means and/or place of the interview. During the interview, we learn more about your combination of skills based on earlier experiences. Read more under At Your Interview.
Selection notification and roster
If you are the selected candidate for the job, congratulations! You will be notified by email.
If you are not selected but were in the group of candidates recommended for the job opening, you will be placed on the roster for similar functions at the level and category of the job opening for possible future selection. As a roster member, you will be notified when new job openings with the same job title, level, category, and job family for which you have been rostered are advertised.
If you have been informed of your inclusion in the roster, you can potentially be selected for an upcoming job opening without having to undergo the entire application process. However, even if you are placed on a roster, we recommend that you keep applying for positions for which you think you are qualified.
Reference Checks
If you are a candidate under closer consideration, reference checks will be conducted, and you will be notified accordingly.
If you had indicated in your application that you have objections to the UN contacting your current employer, they will not be contacted until you have actually been selected for and you have confirmed your interest in a position.
Vacancies
- Intern -Drug Control and Crime Prevention
- Finance & Admin Intern
- Urban Planning Intern
- Communication and Graphic Design Intern
- Energy and Sustainability Intern
- Communication & Social Media Intern
- Programme Support-Research Intern
- Intern- Collective Intelligence for Environmental Governance
- Zero Waste Intern
- Conference Services Intern
- Land Data Analyst & Knowledge Management Intern
- Senior Administrative Assistant
- Procurement Assistant
- Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer
- Senior Budget And Finance Officer
- Administrative Assistant
- Team Assistant
- Legal Officer
- Human Resources Assistant
- Information Systems Officer
- Finance And Budget Officer
- Investigator
- Economic Affairs Officer
- Special Assistant, Administration
- Data Scientist
- Programme Management Officer
- Chief Division Of Conference Services
- Finance And Budget Assistant
- Investigator (Sexual Harassment)
- Reviser, Spanish
- Protocol Assistant
- Programme Management Officer
- Statistical Infographics Designer
- Urban Economist
- Specialist Communication
- Publishing Assistant
- Archivist/Documentalist (HUMAN RESOURCES)
- UNEP-GEF Programme Assistant
- UX Designer
- LAC Terminal Reviewer
- Assistant Chief, Safety and Security Service
- Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements
- Climate Change Adaptation Programme Officer
- Scoping Specialist – Consultant
- Communications and Event Management Consultant
- Research Consultant – World Cities Report 2024
- Regional Outreach Consultant
- Local Consultant; Graphic Designer for the Office of the Chief Justice (Kenya)
- Electric Mobility Consultant
- Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) Consultant
- GEF-8 Consultation Process Expert
- Urban Planning & Economy Consultant
- Community Mobilization Expert
- Urban Planning and Infrastructure for Migration Contexts Egypt Coordinator/ Project Urban Planner
- Associate Programme Management Officer
- Project Coordination Expert
- Latin America and Caribbean Project Specialist
- Associate Information Systems Officer
- Senior Legal Officer
- Director, Programme Management
- National Consultant to undertake coordination support for the project titled Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery, Phase II.
- Local Consultancy to undertake coordination support for the project titled Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery, Phase II
- Local consultant to undertake coordination of programmes for the project titled “Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery in Kenya” – Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS)
- National Consultant to undertake coordination support for the project titled Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery, Phase II.
