3 key takeaways from our guide to working for the UN

Jobs within the United Nations system are highly sought after and difficult to land. But in the many years Devex has spent speaking to recruiters and development insiders, we’ve learned of several things that job seekers can keep in mind when applying to these positions that can pay off in the long run. We’ve recently taken the best of this information to assemble a step-by-step guide to pursuing a development career with the United Nations, aiming to help professionals decide whether to begin the journey, which paths to consider, and expert advice on how to navigate the recruitment process. Here is a sampling of key insights that you’ll find in our career roadmap to working for the U.N. Talk to those who know Insiders recommend trying to connect with people working in the U.N. agency you are most interested in, to get a sense of gaps in your competencies, the language you are using, or the techniques and approaches you are putting forward. “Another way to get into the system is to start by working with partner organizations such as NGOs, and try to network with the U.N. and find out how they work,” said Jasmina Popin, a former consultant for the U.N. Industrial Development Organization. Take job posting requirements seriously While some organizations may be flexible with what they deem as “required” skills for a job, all listed requirements on a U.N. job posting are actually required. Whether they be language skills or work experience, you shouldn’t expect to proceed to the interview stage without clearly showing that you meet these requirements. “If you have four years of work experience and the position requires seven years, you are already out,” said Martha Helena Lopez, assistant secretary-general for human resources management at the U.N. An automated computer scan will sort through the first rounds of applicants to look for these minimum qualifications before you get a chance to make your case to a human. Be patient with progress If you’re able to successfully navigate through the recruitment process, you should know a few things about what it’s like to work for a U.N. agency. Things tend to move slower “in terms of getting a project through [and] getting it to completion,” one former U.N. consultant who was based in Myanmar told us. If you’ve worked for other development organizations or in the private sector, this might come as a surprise. “I didn't fit well into the culture. It is quite different from the NGO culture,” said one former senior-level UNICEF employee who ended up resigning after 13 months. Given the slower pace, it can also be difficult to see the immediate results of your work. “But when you're out there long enough, at one point you will see it,” said Andreas Seiter, who worked at the World Bank for 18 years. “You have to have a long term perspective.”