United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2025 : Launch your International Career with the UN

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a career on the international stage, working on issues such as peace & security, human rights, sustainable development or global communications — the United Nations’ Young Professionals Programme (YPP) offers one of the most compelling entry-points. The 2025 YPP is now open for applications and here’s everything you need to know to take your first big step.

What is the Young Professionals Programme?

The Young Professionals Programme is a recruitment initiative by the UN Secretariat designed to bring in talented, early-career professionals from Member States to become international civil servants.

Here’s how it works:

• The programme hinges on a competitive entrance examination (written and oral stages) for each cycle.
• Successful candidates are placed on a “roster” of qualified individuals, from which the UN Secretariat selects for specific P-level entry posts (P-1 or P-2) in various duty stations around the world.
• Being placed on the roster does not guarantee placement—but it opens the door to employment opportunities.
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• It’s an unparalleled gateway for young professionals looking to launch a global career with the UN.

Why Consider the 2025 Cycle?

Here are a few reasons the 2025 YPP is especially worth your attention:

• The application period for 2025 is already open — through 14 December 2025.
• For 2025 the exam subject listed is Global Communications (job opening #265848).
• The participating Member States for 2025 include countries currently under- or un-represented in the UN Secretariat, giving an opportunity to participants of those nationalities.
• Starting your career at the UN at P-1 or P-2 level can lead to a continuing contract and participation in internal development programmes (like the Managed Reassignment Programme) after the first contract period.

If you’re eligible and interested, now is the time to prepare — the window is short and the competition is fierce.

Eligibility: Are You Qualified?

To apply for the 2025 YPP, you must meet a set of core eligibility criteria:

• Nationality: You must be a national of a participating Member State. The list varies each year.
• Education: You must hold at least a first-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent, minimum three years) in a field relevant for the exam subject.
• Age: You must be 32 years old or younger in the year of the examination (for 2025, born on or after 1 January 1993).
  Opportunities for Youth
• Language proficiency: Fluency in English or French is required (reading, writing, speaking).

Important note: For 2025 the subject area is Global Communications, so you must ensure your qualifications align with that exam subject and that your submitting country is eligible for this cycle.

What’s the Application & Exam Process?

Here’s a simplified timeline and what you’ll face:

• Application phase: Submit your application via the UN Careers portal (through the Inspira system) by the deadline. For 2025: 14 December 2025.
• Screening: Your eligibility is verified; if many applicants from the same country apply for the same subject area, additional screening based on education level, official language knowledge, and relevant work experience may apply.
• Written examination: Typically includes a General Paper (common to all candidates) and a Specialized Paper (exam-subject specific). It’s usually done online.
• Oral examination (interview): Candidates who pass the written stage are invited to a competency-based interview (via video conference).
• Roster placement: Successful candidates enter a roster that remains valid for up to three years. They may be selected when a vacancy arises.

What Career Opportunities Does It Open?

Once you’re placed on the roster and selected for a position, here’s what you can expect:

• Entry into the UN Secretariat at P-1 or P-2 level, depending on experience and qualifications.
• The duty station could be anywhere the UN Secretariat operates (New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, etc.).
• After a two-year fixed-term contract, with satisfactory performance, you may be offered a continuing appointment.
• The Managed Reassignment Programme (MRP) becomes available, allowing mobility among departments and duty stations to build your career.
• This is not simply a job — it’s the beginning of an international civil-servant career with global exposure, diverse roles and potential mobility.

How to Prepare to Stand Out

Given the competitiveness of the YPP, here are some practical tips to boost your chances:

• Tailor your application: Especially the Motivation Statement or equivalent — link your educational background, language skills and any relevant experience to the exam subject (Global Communications).
• Check eligibility early: Confirm your country is participating for 2025 and ensure you meet age, education, and language requirements.
• Prepare for the exam: Familiarize yourself with the format (General Paper and Specialized Paper), practise writing in English or French, and sharpen your subject-area knowledge (communications in this case).
• Interview preparation: Use the SAR (Situation-Action-Result) or STAR method to articulate your accomplishments, link them to UN core competencies (professionalism, communication, teamwork, accountability).
• Leverage official resources: Use the YPP page on the UN Careers portal, official brochures, and toolkits. Beware of scams—there are no fees charged by the UN for the YPP.