Job Verified listing
UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026 – Development and Sustainability (P-2)
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026 (29 days left)
Study level
Not specified in the vacancy details; consult official eligibility rules
Funding
Not specified in the announcement
Field
Economics, Social Sciences, Population Studies, Statistics, Data Science, Environmental Studies and related development disciplines
Official source: careers.un.org
UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026 – Development and Sustainability
The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026 is an international recruitment opportunity for eligible nationals of participating countries who are interested in beginning a professional career with the United Nations Secretariat.
The 2026 examination subject area is Development and Sustainability. The programme aims to identify talented professionals who can contribute to the United Nations' work in economic, social, environmental and sustainable development.
About the programme
The Young Professionals Programme is a competitive recruitment process. Candidates who successfully complete the examination and selection process are placed on a roster used to fill suitable vacancies within the UN Secretariat.
The roster is valid for three years. However, placement on the roster does not guarantee an immediate job offer.
Candidates selected from the roster may receive a two-year fixed-term contract. Subject to satisfactory performance, they may subsequently be granted a continuing contract.
Areas of work
Positions in Development and Sustainability may cover:
Economic affairs
Social affairs
Population affairs
Statistics
Data science
Environmental protection
Sustainable development
Related areas of development policy and research
Relevant UN entities include the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Regional Commissions.
Potential duty stations
Successful candidates must be willing to work at any UN duty station or field operation.
Potential duty stations include:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bangkok, Thailand
Beirut, Lebanon
Geneva, Switzerland
Nairobi, Kenya
New York, United States
Santiago, Chile
Vienna, Austria
Other UN duty stations may also be considered.
Participating countries
The official 2026 YPP participating-country list includes:
Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vanuatu.
Important: Applicants must check the official nationality and eligibility conditions before applying. Rwanda is not included in the published 2026 participating-country list.
Recruitment and employment conditions
Recruitment programme: Young Professionals Programme.
Vacancy reference: 285586.
Listed category and level: Professional and Higher Categories, P-2.
YPP placements may be at P-1 or P-2 level.
Successful candidates may be placed on a recruitment roster valid for three years.
Candidates selected for employment may receive a two-year fixed-term contract.
How to apply
Visit the official United Nations Careers website.
Read the 2026 Young Professionals Programme information.
Review the participating-country list and all eligibility requirements.
Access the UN Inspira recruitment platform.
Search for Job Opening ID 285586.
Complete the application according to the official instructions.
Submit your application before the closing date.
Application deadline
30 November 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications through the official UN recruitment system and should not rely on third-party websites to submit applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a scholarship?
No. This is a competitive international recruitment programme, not a scholarship.
Does passing the examination guarantee employment?
No. Successful candidates are placed on a roster and may be selected when suitable vacancies become available.
Can applicants from Rwanda apply?
Rwanda is not on the official 2026 participating-country list. Applicants must satisfy the nationality requirements.
Where can I find the official announcement?
Use the official United Nations Careers vacancy announcement and YPP information page linked below.
Official sources
UN Job Opening ID 285586:
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285586?language=en
UN Young Professionals Programme:
https://careers.un.org/ypp?language=en
UN Careers:
https://careers.un.org/
Disclaimer: This website is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United Nations. Always consult the official announcement for the latest requirements, corrections and application instructions.
The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026 is an international recruitment opportunity for eligible nationals of participating countries who are interested in beginning a professional career with the United Nations Secretariat.
The 2026 examination subject area is Development and Sustainability. The programme aims to identify talented professionals who can contribute to the United Nations' work in economic, social, environmental and sustainable development.
About the programme
The Young Professionals Programme is a competitive recruitment process. Candidates who successfully complete the examination and selection process are placed on a roster used to fill suitable vacancies within the UN Secretariat.
The roster is valid for three years. However, placement on the roster does not guarantee an immediate job offer.
Candidates selected from the roster may receive a two-year fixed-term contract. Subject to satisfactory performance, they may subsequently be granted a continuing contract.
Areas of work
Positions in Development and Sustainability may cover:
Economic affairs
Social affairs
Population affairs
Statistics
Data science
Environmental protection
Sustainable development
Related areas of development policy and research
Relevant UN entities include the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Regional Commissions.
Potential duty stations
Successful candidates must be willing to work at any UN duty station or field operation.
Potential duty stations include:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bangkok, Thailand
Beirut, Lebanon
Geneva, Switzerland
Nairobi, Kenya
New York, United States
Santiago, Chile
Vienna, Austria
Other UN duty stations may also be considered.
Participating countries
The official 2026 YPP participating-country list includes:
Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vanuatu.
Important: Applicants must check the official nationality and eligibility conditions before applying. Rwanda is not included in the published 2026 participating-country list.
Recruitment and employment conditions
Recruitment programme: Young Professionals Programme.
Vacancy reference: 285586.
Listed category and level: Professional and Higher Categories, P-2.
YPP placements may be at P-1 or P-2 level.
Successful candidates may be placed on a recruitment roster valid for three years.
Candidates selected for employment may receive a two-year fixed-term contract.
How to apply
Visit the official United Nations Careers website.
Read the 2026 Young Professionals Programme information.
Review the participating-country list and all eligibility requirements.
Access the UN Inspira recruitment platform.
Search for Job Opening ID 285586.
Complete the application according to the official instructions.
Submit your application before the closing date.
Application deadline
30 November 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications through the official UN recruitment system and should not rely on third-party websites to submit applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a scholarship?
No. This is a competitive international recruitment programme, not a scholarship.
Does passing the examination guarantee employment?
No. Successful candidates are placed on a roster and may be selected when suitable vacancies become available.
Can applicants from Rwanda apply?
Rwanda is not on the official 2026 participating-country list. Applicants must satisfy the nationality requirements.
Where can I find the official announcement?
Use the official United Nations Careers vacancy announcement and YPP information page linked below.
Official sources
UN Job Opening ID 285586:
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285586?language=en
UN Young Professionals Programme:
https://careers.un.org/ypp?language=en
UN Careers:
https://careers.un.org/
Disclaimer: This website is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United Nations. Always consult the official announcement for the latest requirements, corrections and application instructions.
Eligible countries: Nationals of the 2026 participating countries listed in the description
Must satisfy the official 2026 YPP nationality and examination eligibility requirements
Potential two-year fixed-term UN employment contract; possible continuing contract subject to satisfactory performance
Refer to the official Inspira application instructions; specific document checklist not verified
Visit https://careers.un.org/ypp
Review the 2026 participating-country list and eligibility requirements.
Sign in or register on the UN Inspira recruitment platform.
Search for Job Opening ID 285586.
Complete and submit your application before the deadline. Open official application page
Review the 2026 participating-country list and eligibility requirements.
Sign in or register on the UN Inspira recruitment platform.
Search for Job Opening ID 285586.
Complete and submit your application before the deadline. Open official application page
Development and SustainabilityGraduate CareersInternational JobsP2 JobsSustainable DevelopmentUN CareersUnited NationsYPP 2026