Accepting applications Fully Funded

UN Young Professionals Program 2026 UN YPP Careers

Last updated Oct 21, 2026

Deadline

2026-11-30

Organization

United Nations Secretariat

Field

Political Affairs, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, Human Resources, Administration, Management & Analysis, Finance, Budget

Funding

fully funded

Overview

The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is designed to recruit talented young professionals from around the world to serve as international civil servants within the UN Secretariat. This program is an excellent opportunity for individuals who have completed their Bachelor's Degree and are looking to start a career with the United Nations. It involves an entrance examination and a professional development course, and prior work experience is not a requirement.

Coverage

This is a professional employment program, not a traditional scholarship. Successful candidates will be offered a 2-year fixed contract at the P1/P2 entry-level professional positions, which includes a salary and benefits. This means your living expenses will be covered through your employment with the UN.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the UN Young Professionals Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: - Be a citizen of one of the participating nations. The list of participating countries varies annually; a partial list provided includes Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, and China. Ethiopian students are often eligible for such programs targeting developing or underrepresented countries. - Have completed a Bachelor's degree. - Be 32 years old or younger at the time of the examination. - Possess fluency in either French or English. - Previous work experience is not essential.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, be within the specified age limit (32 years or younger), and be fluent in English or French. Candidates must also be citizens of a country participating in the YPP for the specific year.

How to apply

Interested candidates must apply and pass an annual entrance examination. The application submission deadline for the 2026 program is November 30, 2026. Further details on the application process and examination timeline will be provided on the official UN Careers website.

Notes

Successful candidates will be offered a 2-year fixed contract at the P-1 or P-2 level, which are entry-level professional positions. Based on excellent performance, this contract may be converted into a continuing contract. The examination areas typically include Political Affairs, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs; Human Resources, Administration, Management & Analysis; and Finance & Budget.

Source & Verification

Host organization: United Nations Secretariat

Original source: BrightScholarship

Official application page: https://careers.un.org/young-professionals-programme

Verify the deadline, eligibility, and document list on the official website before applying.

How to Apply

1

Read the full requirements

Visit the official application page and read all eligibility criteria carefully before investing time in the application.
2

Gather your documents

Collect transcripts, certificates, and references. Official copies may require apostille — start this process early.
3

Request recommendation letters

Contact your referees at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline. Brief them on the scholarship and your goals.
4

Write your motivation letter

Be specific about your goals, why you chose this program, and your plan to contribute to Ethiopia after completing your studies.
5

Proofread and submit early

Submit at least 3–5 days before the deadline. Technical issues are common — never submit on the last day.