What Qualifications Are Required To Get A Job At The UN?

About The United Nations

The United Nations is a prestigious organisation to serve and work for. The international reach, network and diversity of roles make this a dream job for many young minds. The United Nations is on a mission to achieve peace, dignity and equality. It achieves its objectives through a congregation of bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Education Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). It allows for a vast diversity of professions and skills to be employed and inducted. Understanding the qualifications to work at the UN can help aspirants to perceive where they can find suitable opportunities within this global organisation.

What are the Requirements to work in the United Nations?

Most roles require an advanced degree (postgraduate) in a relevant field. Some of the popular courses include international relations, humanitarian action, development studies, peace and conflict studies, policy development, administration and management, public health, education and more. The course you choose will depend on your interests and the agency of the UN that you would like to serve in. Understanding the qualifications to work in the United Nations can help you choose the right master’s programme and prepare for future internships. Some of the core courses you could take at the master’s level to qualify for a career or internship in the United Nations are listed below.

1. International Development And International Relations

A postgraduate degree in International Development gives a good theoretical understanding to work in UN agencies like WFP, UNICEF, and UNDP. A master 's-level degree in International Relations will equip you to coordinate between governments on issues like trade, global health, climate crises, and sustainability challenges etc. The more complex global issues require patient and prolonged negotiations that need to be conducted with tact and diplomacy. It is important to be clear about what the requirements are to work in the United Nations, so that you can choose an academic route that is best suited to your dream career in the UN.

2. Humanitarian Action And Disaster Management

As the UN sends relief teams and resources to help disaster-affected countries and regions, a degree in disaster management, human rights or humanitarian action can prove very useful to help you learn the technical aspects as well as familiarise you with the social and psychological demands of such careers. Meeting the United Nations job qualifications makes you equipped with the skills to work in such a high-pressure environment.

3. Community Health Or Medicine

Both doctors, public and community health specialists, join the UN to further the mandate of global health and the elimination of malnutrition and disease. Projects and vacancies in these areas are usually affiliated with the WHO. Doctors and community health professionals are also taken as consultants to help in fighting specific epidemics or diseases in affected areas. Hence, clarity about the qualifications to work at the UN is important for medical professionals to pursue paths that align with their goals.

4. Public Policy

The UN needs to design and define strong and effective policies to help alleviate poverty, enhance educational effectiveness, increase equality, and reduce climate change disasters. By pursuing a course in Public Policy, you can be equipped to contribute and work in agencies like the UNFP, WHO, and UNICEF.

5. Sustainability, Environmental Science and Climate Change

The Global Climate change crisis requires an immediate and effective change in work and leisure habits and consumption across the globe. If you want to help save the planet and humanity at large, completing a degree in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, or Climate change will give you the knowledge to work with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and fight against climate change.

6. Peace and Conflict Studies

With international tensions and conflicts on the rise, the UN has a critical role in responding to global conflicts and amicably reinstating peace and humanitarian responses across the globe. A PhD in global security can help you work with UNHCR and other UN agencies. Knowing what the requirements to work in the United Nations are can help you choose the right career path that leads to opportunities in the UN.

7. Food and Nutrition

A degree in nutrition and food will help you assist UNICEF and the WFO to provide nourishing meals for school-going children and the underprivileged sections of society. Also, unfortunate situations of flood, famine or other disasters require food and other relief measures to be redirected to the affected areas. This may require knowledge of food security, too.

8. Social Work, Psychology & Child Protection

The recent mental health challenges post the pandemic, the need to protect the rights and health of children requires specialists in psychology, social work, and child rights. The skills and knowledge gained can be applied to help protect and counsel vulnerable children in disaster zones. Agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA or UNHCR seek professionals who meet specific United Nations job qualifications that ensure they are skilled with empathy, cultural awareness and technical skills.

9. Archaeology, Museum Studies

If you love history and ancient architecture and would like to protect the world’s cultural and heritage sites, pursuing a course in Archaeology or Museum studies is a great option. This makes you eligible for engagement in projects and work undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Apart from the above degrees in public health, management, law, operations, logistics, and technology, all have relevant roles and openings in the United Nations. There are frequent deputations to different regions and countries, and there is a constant shift in the domain of work across different functions and domains.

Typical Career Paths In The UN

Joining the United Nations as a permanent employee is usually after a series of roles or tenured-project assignments that may result in a permanent position of employment. In many cases, the contracts are renewed after a period of two to three years, and this may continue for the entire career span without permanent employment. Understanding the qualifications to work in the United Nations can help applicants be clear about these requirements.
There are usually a host of opportunities available for a fixed tenure, on a project basis as well as volunteer opportunities. Professionals who have more experience may join as Consultants to the UN and provide inputs based on their domain expertise and experience.
Entry-level professionals and positions usually require two or more years of experience in a related field. Middle-level professionals require seven or more years of experience, and senior professionals require more than fifteen years of experience.
The specific job descriptions usually share the tenure or time period and detailed skills required for a specific role.
If you are keen to volunteer with the UN, you would need to fill out the volunteer application form and follow the process as detailed on the website. Volunteer opportunities are available across the globe; however, there is no compensation or reimbursement for travel and other expenses.
The UN does offer a Young Professional programme, and this can be explored once this option becomes available in India.
For more specific information, you may visit the United Nations official website. And if you are wondering why the UN is a dream organisation for young people, explore the top 9 reasons why the UN is a good place to work.

Values And Competencies Needed

The UN focuses on recruiting professionals who serve with integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. For anyone seeking what the requirements to work in the United Nations, it is important to know that this organisation seeks a candidate who embodies these core values. A broad competency framework is used to assess potential recruits. The competencies needed across all levels include teamwork, communication, producing results, accountability, creativity, technological awareness, commitment to continuous learning and client orientation. Managerial competencies include vision, leadership, empowering others, managing performance, building trust, judgment and decision making.

1. Technical Skills

Apart from the above, you would need role-specific skills like project management certification for administrative roles, experience in the development or health sector for disease prevention related roles, and research skills for writing and reporting roles. All staff need basic IT skills and proficiency with technology and computers.

2. Languages

As the working languages in the UN are English and French, it is very helpful to have a working proficiency in both languages. Apart from these, there are six official languages of the UN that include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Proficiency in a language in addition to English provides more flexibility in roles and allocations. These an important United Nations job qualifications to be an eligible applicant.

Other Factors

• It is usually beneficial to have some international exposure, either through your prior work or education

• Smokers are usually discouraged from joining as the UN is a no-smoking zone.

• Working for the UN is like being an International civil servant and requires a very high degree of integrity, honesty, efficiency, and competence in all matters related to work and status.

Employment For Indian Citizens

A host of temporary, tenure-based, or consultant roles are available for professionals from India. An indicative list of roles that Indians can apply for are listed below.

• Child Rights advocate

• Fundraiser

• Associate Programme Officer

• Analytical writers

• Language translators and interpreters

• Medical officers

• Project assistants

• Technical officers and coordinators

Understanding UN Pay Scales and Benefits

The remuneration for starting-level professionals ranges from US$37,000 and above for the professionals category of roles. There are other roles related to field officers, and the remuneration varies based on the skills and experience levels. Overall, the remuneration in the United Nations is competitive and is usually tax-exempt.

Final Thoughts on United Nations Job Qualifications

The UN is a good place to work to serve the world in areas of sustainable development, poverty alleviation, peace and security, human rights, health, and economic and social security. Continue expanding your knowledge and focus on achieving the required experience levels to improve your chances of joining the UN. Keep researching your area of interest and visit the UN website for current updates. All the best!