How to get your foot in the door at the United Nations: An honest guide for young professionals

Here's how one intern managed to lock in a consultant job at the United Nations Secretariat - and learned the ins and outs of getting a coveted (paid) job at the UN. Key takeaway: stop applying for the P2 roles.

Are you dreaming of a career at the United Nations, whether it’s with the UN Secretariat, UN Women, the World Food Programme, or UNICEF? Here’s a guide with practical tips to help you make this happen – especially if you’re a young person or woman looking to break into the UN system (because let’s face it – we need more young women working at the UN!). 

I joined the UN as an intern, working in a policy and communications role within the UN Secretariat. After my six-month internship, I was lucky enough to secure a consultancy contract. Here’s what I learned while working in the UN system.

Top tips for getting started at the United Nations

1. Start as an intern, then transition to a consultant contract

The best entry path to the UN is often through its official careers platform. While navigating this system can be tough, the key is to have at least two years of work experience listed, along with a compelling cover letter. Watch out for our upcoming guide on crafting a standout UN internship application.

While a master’s or postgraduate qualification is advantageous, relevant work experience can also strengthen your application. Another insider tip? Reach out to UN staff on LinkedIn who are currently in the teams you’re targeting. Try setting up a virtual meeting or even a coffee chat if you’re in the same location. This networking can help you stand out.

During your internship, build relationships with team members and demonstrate your value. Midway through, express interest in a consultancy contract and outline what value you could add, and what projects you could work on. Many interns transition into consultant roles, which offer paid entry-level opportunities in the UN system (note: I could seriously write a whole other piece about how crazy it is that most internships at the UN are unpaid…). 

2. Avoid wasting time on P2 role applications

This is my number one tip for anyone at a junior/entry-level wanting to enter the UN system. For entry-level university graduates, applying for P2 (Permanent Level 2) roles isn’t usually effective, and is often a waste of time. P2 roles are viewed by many people as the ‘entry-level’ roles at the UN, but that really isn’t true. 

While these jobs are advertised on the UN careers website, they’re often pre-filled by internal candidates within the UN – and candidates with significant experience. Despite often already having pre-filled the role with an internal candidate, the UN is required to publicly post these listings.

Instead, focus on internships and consultancy contracts as pathways to start your UN journey (or the United Nations Volunteers programme – which is actually paid).

3. Consider the JPO Program as an alternative pathway

Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programs are another excellent route into the UN, often more accessible than P2 roles. The JPO Program is designed for young professionals to gain experience at the UN, with positions funded by various countries. For example, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs funds specific UN roles, allowing Australian citizens to apply and compete only against other Australians.

If your country doesn’t currently sponsor JPOs, consider contacting your local government representatives to express interest in the program (that’s what I did – I contacted my local representative to ask if they’d push for opening some roles – and they were really responsive). Here’s the Australian JPO page.

4. Be open to what are considered to be “tougher” duty stations

If you’re flexible about your location, definitely consider applying for roles in challenging duty stations, such as South Sudan, Jordan, or Afghanistan. These positions tend to have fewer applicants, increasing your chances of securing a job (I know several people who did this, and it paid off). Not only is it a life-changing experience, working in these locations is highly valued by UN recruiters, making it easier to advance into P2 roles.

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Written by

Phoebe Saintilan

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