Jobs at UN specialized agencies: A primer

Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has grown into a body of 193 member states. With so many to serve, its operation is understandably vast. The U.N. is, according to its human resource department, made up of 44,000 employees, 60 percent of whom are stationed in field offices around the globe. The U.N. tends to advertise more than 200 openings at any time, in areas ranging from administration and finance to human rights, logistics and social affairs. Job notices are advertised on the the U.N. jobs board, respective websites of U.N. programs and agencies and Devex Jobs. The list below provides a rundown of jobs in U.N. specialized agencies and related organizations. Specialized agencies differ from U.N. programs in the way these organizations are funded. Whereas programs depend mainly on voluntary contributions, specialized agencies receive both donations and a portion of the overall U.N. budget. Food and Agriculture Organization FAO jobs page | FAO job notices in Devex The Food and Agriculture Organization needs food, agriculture and forestry experts. Depending on the position, individuals usually must have several years of experience and an advanced degree in forestry, engineering, marine biology, agricultural development or economics. The agency likewise needs consultants and general services staff. It employs associate professional officers and has partnership and volunteering programs. FAO encourages women and individuals from unrepresented or underrepresented member countries to apply for openings. International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA jobs page | IAEA job notices in Devex The International Atomic Energy Agency is headquartered in Vienna and has offices and research centers around the world. It works with U.N. member states and other partners to advance secure, safe and peaceful nuclear technologies. IAEA hires experts in engineering and nuclear science but also needs professional and general service staff in other areas. The agency offers some positions for young professionals and has a fellowship program specifically for young professional women. It also accepts a limited number of interns in fields including engineering, information technology, natural sciences, and administration and management. International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO jobs page | ICAO job notices on Devex This organization focuses on aviation safety and security. Individuals who are interested in working for ICAO need to submit a completed application form to the organization. The International Civil Aviation Organization prefers applicants to register through their online recruitment portal, and successful candidates will be invited for various assessment exercises, such as written tests, telephone screening interviews or similar. International Fund for Agriculture Development IFAD jobs page | IFAD job notices in Devex Based in Rome, the International Fund for Agriculture Development is a relatively small organization. It houses about 510 professionals and support staff, all with fixed-term contracts of one year or more. It needs program managers with expertise in economics, rural development, rural finance, agriculture and related fields. Aside from its Web site, the organization posts vacancies in the Economist and regional newspapers. Candidates should tailor their application to the job, and prepare for a competency-based interview in Rome if they are chosen as one of the three to six finalists for a position. The organization also employs associate professional officers and offers paid internships. International Labor Organization ILO jobs page | ILO job notices on Devex This U.N. agency connects governments, employers and workers to advance decent work worldwide. The International Labor Organization hires professional staff including auditors, editors and statisticians as well as general services employees such as administrative and legal assistants. Young professionals interested in working for ILO may apply for its Junior Professional Officer program. ILO also offers internships for graduate and undergraduate students who are studying or want to work in fields related to the organization’s activities. International Maritime Organization IMO jobs page | IMO job notices on Devex Headquartered in London, the International Maritime Organization is a small specialized agency with approximately 300 staff that focuses on developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the shipping industry. To apply for vacancies, candidates should submit applications electronically to recruitment@imo.org. The agency offers internships to students and a limited number of fellowships annually through its Integrated Technical Cooperation Program. International Monetary Fund IMF jobs page | IMF job notices on Devex Boasting 2,400 employees, the International Monetary Fund hires economists and research analysts, as well as people in areas such as communications, law, human resources, accounting and procurement. The IMF accepts applications on an ongoing basis for entry-level economists, research assistants, interns and administrative support staff. These recruitment programs allow talented individuals to join the IMF for a set period of time. International Telecommunication Union ITU jobs page | ITU job notices on Devex More than 700 people work at the International Telecommunication Union from over 90 different countries — mainly highly skilled engineers and specialists in the telecommunications, radiocommunication and ICT engineering fields who work on the organization's technical programs. Those who wish to apply for any ITU job should register online for a personal account United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO jobs page | UNESCO job notices on Devex At this specialized U.N. agency, vacant posts — most of which are located in its Paris headquarters — are filled by people with expertise related to the organization’s main activities, namely culture, education, science and communication. UNESCO also needs finance, information technology and human resource specialists as well as permanent and freelance translators and interpreters. The agency has special employment programs for young professionals under the age of 30 from underrepresented or unrepresented nations as well as for those under the age of 32 from a country that contributes to the Associate Experts Scheme. In addition, UNESCO offers one-to-four-month internships. United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO jobs page | UNIDO job notices on Devex The United Nations Industrial Development Organization aims to promote sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition. It hires professional staff, general services employees and contractors. Young professionals and can take advantage of its internship program. The agency maintains a roster of consultants and requires all candidates to apply for jobs online. Applicants should have an understanding of the competencies and core values that UNIDO seeks in employees. Universal Postal Union UPU jobs page | UPU job notices on Devex Headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, Universal Postal Union is one of the smallest U.N. specialized agencies. It recruits nearly all of the agency’s professional staff from the ranks of member states’ postal administrations. All candidates must complete the official application form and apply via UPU's e-Recruit system: erecruit.upu.int United Nations Office for Project Services UNOPS jobs page | UNOPS job notices on Devex Launched in 1995, United Nations Office for Project Services is an independent, self-financing member of the U.N. family that provides know-how in project management, human resources, procurement and financial management. It is looking for dynamic and enthusiastic people in a variety of fields. In particular, UNOPS always needs qualified and certified project managers and technical experts in areas such as infrastructure, public order and security, census and elections, and environment and health. It also seeks those with experience in human resources, law and finance and procurement, as well as people with experience working in post-conflict and post-disaster countries. UNOPS hires regular staff members as well as contractors. World Bank World Bank jobs page | World Bank job notices on Devex More than 9,000 development professionals from more than 168 countries work at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. or in more than 100 country offices. The bank employs professional and technical staff, administrative support employees and consultants. In addition, the organization has a special work scheme for young professionals and junior professionals of African descent as well as various internship and partnership programs. World Health Organization WHO jobs page | WHO job notices on Devex The World Health Organization provides leadership on global health issues. The U.N.’s public health arm seeks employees with technical know-how, including public health specialists, epidemiologists, environmental health specialists, statisticians, policy analysts and health economists. It also needs employees in areas such as law and human resources. World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO jobs page | WIPO job notices on Devex The World Intellectual Property Organization recruits people for general services jobs and professional positions such as terminologists and legal officers. Additionally, WIPO has a summer internship program, which aims to expose young professionals and students to the organization’s work. World Meteorological Organization WMO jobs page | WMO job notices on Devex This agency is the U.N. system’s “authoritative voice” on the state and behavior of the atmosphere on Earth. It hires people for professional posts such as scientific officer and general services jobs such as secretary. World Tourism Organization WTO jobs page | WTO job notices on Devex Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, this specialized U.N. agency is the leading international organization on tourism. The World Tourism Organization aims to promote sustainable tourism, particularly in developing nations. Interested candidates should complete the online UNWTO personal history form. At times, the organization accepts unpaid student trainees. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.