The global development workforce is undergoing a profound transformation. Following the Trump administration’s sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign aid in January 2025, hiring across United Nations agencies has collapsed — and with it, the predictability of many career paths in U.N. institutions.
Assessing the Trump effect on U.N. agencies, a new Devex Career Account report, reveals a dramatic shift: since the freeze was announced, the number of U.N. jobs posted on Devex has dropped by 43.3% compared to the same period in 2024.
For some of the most prominent U.N. agencies, the situation is even more stark. The UN Refugee Agency has seen an 83.4% decline in postings, and the World Health Organization, which enacted a hiring freeze after the U.S. announced its withdrawal from the agency, has cut its job ads by 81.1%.
UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi described the moment bluntly: “I have never, ever seen such a challenge due to the lack of resources, cuts, freezes, and uncertainty.”
The comment reflects a system-wide reality — one that is fundamentally altering how development professionals must navigate their careers.
This isn’t just a drop in job volume; it’s a shift in structure. The report finds that long-term consulting roles have fallen by nearly 67%, while full-time staff positions have decreased by more than 44%.
Agencies are increasingly leaning on short-term contracts, which now make up the bulk of the limited opportunities that remain. It’s a pivot away from the stability many development professionals have long relied on.
Geographically, the impact is widespread. Among the hardest-hit countries are Jordan, Ukraine, and Ethiopia, each with job posting declines exceeding 50%. Even the United States has not been spared, with 431 fewer U.N. roles advertised — a 36% drop from the previous year.
Yet the picture is not entirely bleak. Some agencies, such as the International Organization for Migration and UN-Habitat, have managed to increase postings — though overwhelmingly for short-term assignments. IOM, for example, has posted 70% more roles than last year but has shifted heavily toward temporary contracts while reducing long-term consulting opportunities.
To understand the full scope of the shift and how you can position yourself for success in this new environment, download the full report now.