Jobs at UN programs: A primer

The United Nations depends on 40 specialized agencies and programs to promote cooperation among its 193 states. Funding sources differentiate the two categories of U.N. organizations: Programs rely solely on voluntary contributions, while specialized agencies also receive a slice of the global body’s budget. The below list outlines work opportunities at U.N. programs. On the whole, the U.N. employs more than 44,000 people around the world, including professional and support staff. It tends to advertise more than 200 openings at any given time in various occupational groups — from conference planning to drug control and crime prevention and from economic affairs to engineering and program management. International Trade Center ITC job page | ITC jobs notices on Devex Job opportunities at ITC include regular professional and general service positions, consultancies, short-term opportunities — which are restricted to local candidates — and internships for graduate students. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR jobs page | UNHCR job notices on Devex UNHCR aims to protect refugees as well as solve refugee problems around the globe. The two-time Nobel Prize winner maintains a roster of international professionals, which it established to make sure that it could fill entry-level jobs with well-qualified professionals with a variety of backgrounds. It has a program for young professionals, or those aged between 25 and 32 who wish to gain work experience in humanitarian assistance and related fields and in 2014 launched an initiative to expand its mid- to senior-level talent pool as well. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD jobs page | UNCTAD job notices on Devex Based in Geneva, UNCTAD aims to integrate developing countries into the world economy. UNCTAD, which is part of the U.N. Secretariat, has an internship program for graduate students. U.N. Women U.N. Women jobs page | U.N. Women job notices on Devex U.N. Women provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality. It hires expert practitioners for positions such as regional communications officer and country program coordinator. U.N. Women participates in the Young Professional Program, which gives young professionals from donor countries the chance to acquire experience working for an international organization, and also hires graduate-level students for internships. United Nations Development Program UNDP jobs page | UNDP job notices on Devex The New York-headquartered UNDP says it is looking for “individuals who can communicate advice and new ideas across cultures and all strata of society.” A recent downsize and restructure effort will result in the reduction of 10 percent of staff at headquarters and regional levels, along with a “significant shift toward the region.” It is hiring in areas such as online and digital communications, democratic government, and peace and conflict resolution. The Leadership Development Program, or LEAD, targets young professionals in the development field. Through the program, which lasts for up to four years, participants are placed in two assignments, with each assignment typically lasting two years. Candidates should be under 35 years and have a master’s degree in a field related to development. Applicants need to speak English and at least one other official U.N. language. United Nations Environment Program UNEP jobs page | UNEP job notices on Devex UNEP is looking for environmental leaders. Opportunities at UNEP include director, professional, general service, project and consultant positions. The organization has a Junior Professional Officers’ program. It also seeks interns and volunteers. United Nations Human Settlement Program U.N.-Habitat jobs page | U.N.-Habitat job notices in Devex U.N.-Habitat promotes socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development. It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has four main regional offices, as well as liaison and information offices in New York, Geneva, Brussels and Beijing. It also offers internships. UNICEF UNICEF jobs page | UNICEF job notices on Devex UNICEF focuses on areas such as child survival and development, basic education for girls and HIV/AIDS and children. It has special employment programs for junior professionals and a New and Emerging Talent Initiative for professionals with 2 to 5 years of work experience. Internships are offered at UNICEF’s New York headquarters and country offices. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC jobs page | UNODC job notices on Devex UNODC came into being in 1997, when the U.N. Drug Control Program and the Center for International Crime Prevention merged. Today, UNODC fights globalized crime as well as drug problems. UNODC says it is looking for “qualified, energetic professionals in a wide range of fields” to help its efforts to combat the threats from drugs, crime and terrorism. It offers internships on an ad hoc basis. United Nations Population Fund UNFPA jobs page | UNFPA job notices in Devex United Nations Population Fund promotes “the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.” To become a UNFPA employee, candidates need an advanced degree in a field related to the organization’s mandate, such as public health or demography. He or she should also possess some experience working in a developing country — ideally with a development organization. Successful candidates may work for one of UNFPA’s field duty stations. In addition to employing junior professionals, UNFPA also taps its roster of consultants for technical expertise. The UNFPA offices in Europe recruit interns three to six month periods usually once or twice a year. United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS jobs page | UNAIDS job notices on Devex UNAIDS is a joint venture of 10 U.N. organizations to help stop new HIV infections, care for people who have the virus and lessen the impact of the epidemic. UNAIDS, which hires general service as well as professional employees, looks for people with strong technical skills and personal qualities. Although offers of employment hinge on getting medical clearance, UNAIDS has a policy specifying that no applicant shall be discriminated against based on real or perceived HIV status. UNAIDS offers internships in in several of its duty stations. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA jobs page | UNRWA job notices on Devex United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East provides basic services, such as health care and education, to more than 5 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. The agency seeks professionals with backgrounds in areas including health, relief, education, operations support and administration. It hires staff for its international and local posts, and recruits consultants and experts. Each year, UNRWA also offers a limited number of internships in its Amman headquarters and its field offices in Beirut, Damascus and Jerusalem. Interns are also placed at its offices in Geneva, New York and Brussels. World Food Program WFP jobs page | WFP job notices on Devex The World Food Program, the leading agency fighting global hunger, employs roughly 12,000 staff, of whom 90 percent work in the field delivering food and monitoring its use.The Rome-headquartered agency hires international professional staff, including short-term hires and consultants, and occasionally recruits local professionals and support staff. It also has posts for junior professional officers and interns. Check out more career advice stories online, and subscribe to Doing Good to receive top international development career and recruitment news.