As a global organization, the United Nations Secretariat, in order to function effectively, is in constant need of qualified and dedicated staff to fill vacancies. While it is not possible to list in detail the different categories of positions for which the Organization recruits, this profile describes the main categories of staff and the work of the Organization.
The Charter of the United Nations enshrines the principle of equality between men and women in the recruitment of all staff. Accordingly, the General Assembly has established clear directives aimed at encouraging the appointment of women to Professional posts as a key objective of the recruitment policy, with a view to achieving a more equitable balance of women and men in the Secretariat. The United Nations also welcomed the increased participation of women experts and consultants in the Organization's technical cooperation programmes.
Since the mandatory retirement age for staff members appointed after January 1990 is 62, it is the general policy of the Organization not to appoint persons who have reached or are approaching the age of 62 years. However, this provision does not apply to experts and consultants in technical cooperation programs.
If, after reading this information, you wish to be considered as a possible candidate, a brief summary of your academic qualifications and work experience should be sent to the address given at the end of each section.
Technical Assistance Specialists
The various United Nations technical cooperation programmes are administered by the United Nations and the specialized agencies in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Requests for technical assistance from developing countries are allocated to participating organizations on the basis of their main areas of specialization.
The areas of responsibility of the United Nations Secretariat include economic development, population, human settlements, statistics, natural resources, transport, public ****administration, trade and development, the environment and other technical areas for which the specialized agencies do not have specific responsibility. Senior advisers are usually requested. Experts are generally required to have long experience in their area of specialization and to have attained an advanced level of expertise. More junior candidates or candidates with less professional experience are rarely selected. Interested candidates should contact the following address:
Technical Assistance Recruitment
and Administrative Service
Room DC1-1208
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 963-1272
Professional category
Persons filling vacancies in the Professional category are required to have a professional qualification in a field relevant to the work of the United Nations. These vacancies may be at Headquarters or at any other established office worldwide. In filling these vacancies, particular attention is paid to establishing and maintaining an appropriate balance among Member States. A number of Member States have no or very few nationals serving as Professional staff in the United Nations Secretariat. Vacancies at the entry level are normally filled through competitive recruitment examinations and interviews organized on a rotational basis for underrepresented Member States.
Candidates for posts in the Professional category are required to have an advanced university degree in addition to relevant professional experience. The following occupations are vacant from time to time, but with varying frequency:
Administration
Persons occupying positions in the field of administration provide a wide range of day-to-day support services for the substantive activities of the Organization. Staff in this occupational group are involved in the planning and management of human and material resources, the recruitment and training of staff, and personnel administration. They liaise with programme managers and financial planners and procure a wide range of goods and services required by the Organization.
Economics
Positions in the field of economics include a wide range of specializations, such as the design and conduct of various studies on economics; the development of economic models for long-term forecasting and development strategies; and the planning, formulation and monitoring of technical assistance projects. The area of sustainable development and capacity-building is an increasingly prominent area of activity.
Electronic Data Processing
Positions in this occupational group involve a variety of tasks within the fields of data processing, telecommunications and infrastructure support. These tasks include feasibility studies, systems analysis, systems development and implementation, local and wide area network implementation and support, electronic communications, hardware and software standards development, and operational support.
Finance
Positions in the finance area cover a wide range of specializations, such as accounting, auditing, financial analysis and cashiering. Staff in the accounting area perform accounting functions for the United Nations regular and peacekeeping budgets, as well as for various trust funds. Auditors are responsible for auditing all United Nations activities. The United Nations Treasurer is responsible for the administration and investment activities of the United Nations Pension Fund. Financial analysts are responsible for providing information and advice and responding to inquiries from the principal organs of the United Nations and Member States on financial matters.
Language and related work
Positions in this occupational category include the following areas: translation, interpretation, editing, verbatim reporting and proofreading in the six official languages. These languages are: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The services of interpreters are required for meetings of all United Nations bodies. Interpreters, who are fluent in at least three of the official languages, are put to the test on a daily basis to translate quickly and accurately from one language into another, often without a written script. Translators, who are also trilingual, are responsible for translating reports, resolutions and official communiqués in social, political, technical, financial and other areas. Verbatim reporters are responsible for preparing the written records of meetings of the most important organs of the Organization. Editors are responsible for ensuring that documents and publications are accurately written and conform to the style and form of the Organization. Terminologists establish United Nations terminology standards and ensure that they are applied. Copy preparers and proofreaders are responsible for the typesetting and printing of United Nations documents and publications, including those produced through computer-assisted programs, and for ensuring that they are accurate and conform to United Nations publishing standards, spelling rules, etc.
Legal and related work
Positions in this area require candidates with a wide range of legal professional experience and may involve one or more of the following activities: preparation of opinions and studies on the interpretation of the Charter of the United Nations and rules of international law; progressive development, codification and harmonization of international law; provision of advice on commercial matters involving claims of an international or private law character. Opinions; meeting the legal, political, economic, scientific, technical and environmental needs of Member States in dealing with the law of the sea and maritime affairs; and representing the Secretary-General before the International Court of Justice and in the settlement of claims.
Library
Services provided include archival management of United Nations documents and publications and in-house production and processing of data. Users of this material include delegates, permanent missions, United Nations staff and specialized researchers, which has resulted in a user-friendly network of all librarians within the United Nations system. United Nations libraries also provide support to the global network of depository libraries. The latter assists in the distribution of United Nations materials.
Public information
Positions in the field of public information cover a wide range of activities in the area of preparation of United Nations press releases and information materials, both written and online. Tasks may include the provision of all official coverage of United Nations meetings, conferences and programmes, both at Headquarters and around the world, for delegations, the press and non-governmental organizations; and the production of thematically integrated publications, radio, television and video products and photographs. Other major activities include conducting promotional and press coverage of international conferences and observances, special events, organizing public tours and answering public inquiries.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Positions in this area include assignments in a variety of social and humanitarian fields, such as crime prevention, criminal justice, narcotics control, institutional development and popular participation, social integration and welfare, the promotion of equality between men and women, rural development, and issues of vital importance to youth, the elderly, and the disabled. Population statistics and demography are other important aspects of the field. Environmental protection is an increasingly prominent area of activity.
Statistics
Positions in this field contribute to the overall goal of increasing the availability and use of relevant, timely and reliable data for planning and action at the national and international levels. They also contribute to building, expanding, improving and sustaining cost-effective statistical capacity through the development and improvement of sound statistical methods. In addition, the tasks of the field include strengthening the collection and dissemination of statistical data in various domains, promoting the coordination of international statistical work and producing international statistical series, including: national accounts, prices, international trade, demographics, social indicators, environment, industry, energy, transportation and housing.
All applications for the Professional category should be sent to the following address:
Professional Staffing Service
Room S-2500
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Fax: ( 212) 963-3134
Tel: (212) 963-1089
Email: estaffing@un.org
Recruitment of Young Professionals through Competitive Examinations
National Competitive Examinations (NCEs):
Junior Professionals (P-1 and P-2) and Professionals (P-3) Recruited through the National Competitive Recruitment Examination. The examinations are administered on a priority basis in countries that are underrepresented in the Secretariat. The examinations are organized into a number of occupational groups, including administration, economics, electronic data processing, finance, legal affairs, library, political affairs, public information, social development and statistics. Candidates eligible for P-1 and P-2 posts must have an initial university degree and be no older than 32 years. Candidates eligible for P-3 positions must have an advanced university degree and four years of professional experience and be no older than 39 years of age.Candidates for both P-1/P-2 and P-3 positions are required to be fluent in English or French. Applications are welcome from all those who meet these criteria and who share the purposes and ideals of the United Nations.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
United Nations
Examinations and Tests Section
Staff Development Services
Specialist Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
Room S-2590
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 963-3683
Language Examinations:
To administer the exams:
The exams are administered by the Office of Human Resources Management.
Examinations are organized to build rosters of qualified candidates to fill language positions. The frequency with which the examinations are held varies according to the different needs of the Organization. Candidates for translator positions are required to translate into at least two of the six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). Candidates for the position of Interpreter are required to provide simultaneous translation of speech into one of the six official languages and full comprehension of at least two other official languages.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
United Nations
Language Examinations
Operational Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
Room S-2410I
New York, NY 10017
Recruitment to mid-level and higher positions
It is the general policy of the Organization to advertise all vacancies except those at entry level. In filling these vacancies, efforts are made to recruit from as wide a geographical basis as possible in order to achieve, as far as possible, equitable representation of Member States in the Organization. Candidates are required to have an advanced university degree, in addition to relevant professional experience, in order to be eligible for these positions. In general, a minimum of six years of professional experience is required. Information on current vacancies can be obtained from Headquarters, United Nations information centers worldwide and other offices in the United Nations family (e.g., UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF). In addition, information may be obtained from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Member States, as well as from certain educational and/or professional institutions (e.g. universities, women's associations, etc.). To identify the best candidates, the Organization uses competitive recruitment methods such as assessment centers. The Secretariat maintains a computerized roster of qualified candidates for these positions.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
United Nations
Staffing Support Section
Operational Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
The Secretariat maintains a computerized roster of qualified candidates for these positions. Resources Management
Room S-2475
New York, NY 10017
Recruitment for Peacekeeping Operations
In order to fulfill its primary responsibility for peacekeeping, the United Nations participates in a number of operations in different regions of the world known as United Nations peacekeeping operations.
In general, the positions offered are in the following areas: political affairs, legal affairs, human rights, election monitoring, humanitarian assistance, public information, general administration, procurement, logistics, civil engineering and electronic data processing.
Qualifications
Professionals recruited by the United Nations are required to have a proven track record in one of the above-mentioned areas. The minimum requirements for mission service are an advanced university degree in a relevant discipline or its equivalent, four years of relevant professional experience and fluency in English and/or French. Applicants who are fluent in other languages, such as Arabic, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish, and who have worked in developing countries have a distinct advantage.
Applicants must be in good health and willing to work in difficult areas and under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions. They must also be available at short notice. It should be noted that most missions are "non-family" duty stations. The compensation package consists of salary and an appropriate mission subsistence allowance. The latter covers living expenses while at the duty station.
United Nations
Personnel Management and Support Service
Office of Mission Support
Department of Peace Keeping Operations
The Office of Human Resources Management has a computerized roster of candidates for assignment to peacekeeping operations. Department of Peace Keeping Operations
DC1-928
New York, NY 10017, USA
Project Personnel
The various United Nations technical cooperation programmes are administered by the United Nations and the specialized agencies in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme. Requests for technical assistance from developing countries are allocated to participating organizations on the basis of their main areas of specialization.
The United Nations Secretariat is responsible for the areas of economic development, social development, population, human settlements, statistics, natural resources, transportation, public ****administration, trade and development, and environment, as well as other technical areas. Senior advisers are usually requested. The expert must have long experience in his/her area of specialization and have attained a high level of expertise.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
United Nations
Project Personnel Management
and Training Service
Room DC1-1418
New York, NY 10017, USA. York, NY 10017, USA
Field Services
This department is responsible for servicing a wide range of United Nations assignments. Its personnel rotate between assignments around the world, sometimes at short notice. In addition, some duty stations do not allow staff to bring their families with them due to local conditions. The Field Service comprises five main occupational groupings: Security Officers, Fleet/Generator Maintenance Mechanics, Radio Technicians, Radio Operators and Electricians/Refrigeration Mechanics. Applicants should be between the ages of 23 and 40.
Interested applicants should contact the following addresses:
United Nations
Personnel Management and Support Service
Office of Mission Support
Department of Peacekeeping Operations
DC1-928
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 963-0664
Tel: (212) 963-6114
General Service
This category is for those who wish to work in the field of human resources. >
There are vacancies in this category in the following occupational groups:
a. Clerical and clerical staff positions
Secretaries are often needed to fill temporary vacancies in the Organization. A minimum typing speed of 50 to 55 words per minute is a requirement for secretarial positions, and preference is given to applicants with access to word-processing equipment and bilingualism (English plus French or Spanish). b. Text Processors
There is a special need for high-speed text processors in the six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). They work in large typing rooms and use word-processing equipment to type official United Nations documents in their cleared form. They are required to type from dictation or dictate from tape recorders. They are also required to work nights and overtime, for which they receive additional remuneration.
Applicants for these positions are required to have extensive word-processing experience and to type at a speed of 55 words per minute or more. Applicants must have appropriate training and relevant experience in these fields. Examinations are held annually to create rosters to fill vacancies.
Educational Requirements. All applicants must have completed secondary education. Accounts Clerks and Statistical Clerks should normally have an undergraduate degree.
Pre-Recruitment Examination. Applicants are required to pass a prescribed general aptitude examination and/or a typing test before being considered for employment. The examination is administered at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Applicants residing outside the New York City area who wish to take the examination are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Roster of candidates. The Organization maintains rosters of successful candidates for vacancies in various occupations. Such candidates will be considered for vacancies in occupations for which they are well suited. It is important to note that passing the examination does not guarantee appointment; it only ensures that candidates will be considered for vacancies as they arise.
Visa status. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to have a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must hold a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Where General Service visa status for Headquarters. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to possess a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must hold a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Candidates recruited for positions in the General Service category at Headquarters who do not have a United States passport or permanent resident visa are required to convert their visas to those issued to staff members of international organizations prior to commencement of work.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
Cluster VI
Operational Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 963-8869
Fax: (212) 963-3726
Please note that General Service staff in major offices away from Headquarters are recruited locally, i.e., from the region where the office is located.
Security and safety
Vacancies in this category are normally filled through the holding of an annual recruitment campaign. Applicants should be between 22 and 32 years of age, hold a high school diploma, be in good physical condition and have at least two years of experience in the civilian police force or three years in the military police force. Applicants with a degree in criminal justice and at least 18 months of experience as a guard will also be considered.
Visa status. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not U.S. citizens or who are not currently U.S. residents are required to have a valid visa issued by a competent U.S. authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must hold a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Where General Service visa status for Headquarters. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to possess a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must hold a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Candidates recruited for positions in the General Service category at Headquarters who do not have a United States passport or permanent resident visa are required to convert their visas to those issued to staff members of international organizations prior to commencement of work.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
Cluster VI
Operational Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 963-8869
Fax: (212) 963-3726
Tradesmen
The short-term services of printers are generally only needed during the UNY. Occasionally, there are vacancies in the position of Buildings Management. Such positions include different areas of work such as plumbing maintenance, air conditioning smith and general maintenance. The minimum educational requirement for all these positions is a high school diploma. All applicants must be in good physical condition and have relevant experience in their trade. In addition, plumbers and air conditioning mechanics must hold a license issued by the City of New York.
Visa Status. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to possess a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must have a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Where General Service visa status for Headquarters. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to possess a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must hold a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Candidates recruited for positions in the General Service category at Headquarters who do not have a United States passport or permanent resident visa are required to convert their visas to those issued to staff members of international organizations prior to commencement of work.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
Cluster VI
Operational Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 963-8869
Fax: (212) 963-3726
Assistants at the Information Desk
Assistants at the Information Desk are responsible for giving public tours of the United Nations Headquarters building. Applicants for these positions must have at least two years of post-secondary education. Recruitment takes place at United Nations Headquarters in New York and is open to local applicants. Applicants must be fluent in English and at least one other language and have a pleasant speaking voice. Interviews are conducted at Headquarters prior to recruitment. Applicants are responsible for their own travel expenses for the interview.
Visa status. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to have a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must possess a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Where General Service visa status for Headquarters. Applicants for positions at United Nations Headquarters who are not citizens of the United States or who are not currently residents of the United States are required to possess a valid visa issued by a competent United States authority. In addition, all non-U.S. citizens must hold a valid passport issued by the authorities of their home country. Candidates recruited for positions in the General Service category at Headquarters who do not have a United States passport or permanent resident visa are required to convert their visas to those issued to staff members of international organizations prior to commencement of work.
Interested applicants should contact the following address:
Cluster VI
Operational Services Division
Office of Human Resources Management
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 963-8869
Fax: (212) 963-3726
Internship Program
The United Nations Headquarters Internship Program is open to graduate students and is designed to promote greater awareness among participants of the major issues confronting the world and to provide them with an in-depth understanding of the ways in which the United Nations is striving to find solutions to these issues.
The internship program at United Nations Headquarters is open to graduate students.
The programme is organized in three two-month sessions during the year: from mid-January to mid-March, from mid-May to mid-July and from mid-September to mid-November.
Applicants should be enrolled in graduate school in a field of specialization relevant to the work of the United Nations, such as international relations, international law, economics, political science, journalism, demographic studies, translation and lexicography, or public **** administration.
Graduate students interested in an internship at United Nations Headquarters should submit a completed application form. Application forms may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of the Internship Program at
Room S-2500E,
United Nations,
New York, NY 10017;
Telephone (212) 963-1223/7522,
Fax (212) 963-3134.
Telephone (212) 963-3134. 963-3134.
The deadline for receipt of applications is six months prior to the start of the internship.
No provision is made in the United Nations budget for the payment of interns. Therefore, all costs related to internships must be borne by the student or his/her sponsoring organization or Government.
Specialized agencies
Specialized agencies (i.e. UNESCO, FAO, ILO, etc.) operate their own recruitment programmes. Interested applicants should write to the agency concerned for information on job opportunities.
It should be noted that these agencies recruit clerks and secretaries from among the residents of their localities.
Other information
Languages: The working languages of the Secretariat are English and French. The official languages of the United Nations are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Salary and benefits: The Organization offers generous salaries and benefits. Starting salaries are determined on the basis of academic and professional qualifications and grade level. The base salary scale is determined by the General Assembly. There is also a post adjustment. It is based on the cost of living at each duty station and the exchange rate of the local currency to the United States dollar.
Staff members will serve at different duty stations during their careers. Staff members serving at locations outside their home country will receive an assignment grant. The Organization pays an education grant and a dependency allowance for each eligible child. Staff may also be eligible for a rental subsidy. Other benefits include: paid annual leave, sick leave and home leave; ***same medical, dental and group life insurance; and various removal, travel and installation allowances in connection with service at the duty station or transfer to another duty station.
Staff members holding a regular appointment contribute to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. Monthly contributions are linked to salary scales at rates determined by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Diversity: Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations provides that "the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff and in the determination of the conditions of service shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible".
In addition, the Charter enshrines the principle of equality between men and women in the recruitment of all staff. Accordingly, the General Assembly has established clear instructions aimed at encouraging the appointment of female staff as one of the objectives of the recruitment policy, with a view to achieving a more equitable balance of female and male staff in the Secretariat, in particular for senior management positions. In order to achieve the latter objective, preference in recruitment will be given to qualified female candidates, on the basis of equal merit.
The United Nations also strongly encourages the participation of women experts and consultants in the Organization's technical cooperation programmes.