The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is one of the most competitive entry points for young professionals seeking a global career with the UN Secretariat. Each year, the UN conducts the YPP to recruit talented and motivated individuals who want to contribute to international peace, development, and human rights.
Applications for the 2025 UN YPP open in mid-October. In this article, you will learn about the eligibility requirements, application process, examination structure, career opportunities, and details of the YPP 2025 Workshop that will help you prepare.
The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative that identifies highly qualified candidates to start their careers as international civil servants with the UN Secretariat. It includes a rigorous entrance examination followed by structured career development for successful candidates.
The programme offers positions at the P-1 and P-2 professional levels in duty stations across the world, including New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Bangkok, Santiago, and Vienna.
Ahead of the application period, the UN will host an information workshop to guide prospective applicants.
Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Time: 3:00–4:30 PM (New York Time)
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Clear understanding of YPP exam areas and eligibility
Practical tips on the application and assessment process
First-hand insights from successful YPP candidates
Opportunities to engage directly with UN staff members
Registration: Sign up for the YPP 2025 Workshop here.
To apply for the UN YPP 2025, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Nationality: Must be a national of a participating country. The list of eligible countries changes each year to reflect UN staffing needs.
A – K
Andorra, Angola, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait
L – R
Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar
S – Z
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Viet Nam
Education: Must hold at least a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent, minimum three years) in a field relevant to the examination area.
Age: Must be 32 years of age or younger in the year of the examination (born on or after 1 January 1993 for the 2025 cycle).
Language: Must be fluent in either English or French, the working languages of the UN.
Applicants should attach a government-issued photo ID indicating nationality and degree certificates when applying.
While exact dates may vary, the estimated timeline for the UN YPP 2025 is:
Application Period: October – November 2025
Screening of Applications: November – December 2025
Examination Stage: January – April 2026
Interviews and Final Results: May – June 2026
The YPP application process is managed through Inspira, the UN’s online recruitment platform. Candidates should follow these steps:
Confirm eligibility: Review the basic requirements for nationality, age, education, and language.
Create an Inspira account: Register at inspira.un.org to begin the process.
Search for YPP job postings: Job openings specific to the YPP exam will be posted in October.
Complete the application: Provide accurate personal details, education, and qualifications. Write a strong Motivation Statement tailored to the job opening.
Submit your application: Ensure all fields are completed and documents uploaded. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified for that vacancy.
Monitor notifications: Candidates will be informed whether they are convoked to sit the examination.
The UN YPP examination process consists of two written stages and one interview stage:
Duration: Approximately two hours
Covers general and specialized knowledge relevant to the exam area
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
Involves open-ended questions requiring detailed written responses
May include questions in English or French, with some in any of the six UN official languages
May be remotely proctored
Conducted as a competency-based video interview
Assesses communication, problem-solving, and alignment with UN core values and competencies
Please check YPP Exam Cycles for an overview of the exams.
To learn more, read the information below, check out our curated series of informative videos about YPP, and continue to visit Important Updates to stay informed!
Candidates who pass the YPP examination are placed on a roster for a period of three years. This roster is used to fill vacancies across the UN Secretariat.
P-1 Level: Offered to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no work experience
P-2 Level: Offered to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience, or a Master’s degree with no experience
Successful candidates receive a two-year fixed-term contract. With satisfactory performance, they may be offered a continuing contract.
After serving two years in their initial post, staff members may join the Managed Reassignment Programme (MRP), which provides opportunities to move to new roles and locations, strengthening their career development.
Be precise: Use clear, action-oriented language and avoid vague statements.
Highlight achievements: Focus on measurable results rather than routine tasks.
Customize your Motivation Statement: Tailor your statement to each specific exam area.
Prepare for interviews: Practice competency-based responses using the Situation-Action-Result (SAR) format.
Avoid scams: The UN does not charge fees at any stage of the application or interview process. Official job postings are only available on careers.un.org.
Candidates should be cautious of fraudulent job postings or companies claiming to offer insider access or paid preparation for the YPP. The United Nations does not collaborate with any external agencies for recruitment and does not charge fees at any stage of the process.
The UN Young Professionals Programme is a unique opportunity for young professionals to start an international career with one of the world’s most respected organizations. With applications opening in October 2025, now is the time to prepare your documents, strengthen your application, and register for the YPP Workshop to gain valuable insights before applying.
Key dates to remember:
YPP Application Period: October – November 2025
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