United Nations employs a wide range of staff to respond to disasters, conflicts, poverty, hunger, climate change or human rights. Therefore a wide variety of professions and professional categories can find a job with the United Nations.
In the UN Peacekeeping Missions and Agencies, without exception, all the professions we can find in the labour market are represented. Lawyers, engineers, architects, project and program specialists, linguists, psychologists, sociologists, teachers, trainers, administrative and support, and so on.
Some specialize in the so called substantive areas as civil affairs, political affairs, human rights, elections or disarmament, safety and security.
Some staff will work in a mission like United Nations Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti (MINUSTAH). Currently there are 16 UN missions active employing more than 17,000 civilian staff (international and local) and 1,800 volunteers.
Other will work for an agency like United Nations Development Program or for the UN Secretariat or other UN entities like commissions, committees, expert bodies, program and funds or research and training institutes.
A total of 44.000 staff from 193 countries work currently for UN on almost every corner of the world on issues such as sustainable development, protection of environment, protection of refugees, disaster, counter terrorism, or disarmament.
You will have a base salary, a post adjustment according to your duty station and other benefits. Take a look on the website and see for yourselves.
And, selection is done based on 3 core values (integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity) and 8 core competencies (teamwork, client orientation, creativity, communication, planning and organizing, accountability, and technological awareness.
Additional managerial competencies are required for managers and coordinators.
More information on working for the United Nations you will find on their careers website but also on the websites of missions or specialized agencies.
You will find this information at least in english and French but often also in Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish.
Next, we are going to see what are the options to start working for the United Nations.
