The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2025 will officially open for applications this October, offering a prestigious entry route into the UN Secretariat for talented young people around the world. Designed to attract early-career professionals from underrepresented nations, the programme provides a rare opportunity to launch a global career in international development, diplomacy, and governance.
This year’s YPP comes with an added opportunity: a virtual information workshop to help interested candidates understand the application process, eligibility requirements, and exam structure before the call officially opens.
What the YPP is all about
The Young Professionals Programme is a recruitment and professional development initiative by the UN Secretariat aimed at identifying exceptional young talent to serve in junior professional roles (P-1 and P-2 levels) across the UN system.
Successful candidates who pass the YPP examination and interviews are placed in roles in global duty stations — including New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Bangkok, and Vienna — for an initial two-year period, with possibilities for extension and career advancement within the UN.
Beyond recruitment, YPP is designed to nurture a new generation of international civil servants who are skilled, ethical, and committed to the UN’s mission of peace, equality, and sustainable development.
2025 Information Workshop
Before applications open, the United Nations will host an online workshop to guide prospective applicants through the entire process — from eligibility and exam structure to success tips.
Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (New York Time)
During the session, participants will:
- Learn about the YPP exam format and assessment process.
- Hear from past YPP participants about their experiences.
- Gain practical insights on how to prepare strong applications.
- Ask questions directly to UN Human Resources experts.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the 2025 UN YPP, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of one of the participating countries listed below.
- Age: Must be 32 years or younger by 31 December 2025 (born on or after 1 January 1993).
- Education: Hold at least a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field to the exam area.
- Language Proficiency: Be fluent in English or French (knowledge of an additional UN language is an advantage).
- Commitment: Demonstrate a passion for international development, peacebuilding, and public service.
ALSO APPLY FOR:
Mastercard Scholarships at University of Toronto 2026 (Fully Funded)
Eligible Countries for YPP 2025
The following countries are eligible for the 2025 UN Young Professionals Programme:
Africa
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia and the Pacific
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of).
Europe and Central Asia
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Middle East and North Africa
Bahrain, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
(Note: Nigeria is not among the eligible countries for this year’s YPP cycle.)
Programme Timeline
| Stage | Date/Period |
| Applications Open | October 2025 |
| Applications Close | November 2025 |
| Written Examinations | January – April 2026 |
| Interviews and Final Selections | May – June 2026 |
| Successful Candidates Begin Assignments | Late 2026 |
What the Selection Process involves
The YPP selection process is rigorous and multi-staged, focusing on intellectual ability, analytical skills, and motivation to serve.
- Application Review: Candidates submit their applications through the UN’s online portal. Only those meeting the eligibility criteria proceed to the written exam.
- Written Examination: Consists of two parts — a general paper (testing analytical and drafting ability) and a specialised paper (testing knowledge in a specific subject area).
- Oral Interview: Shortlisted candidates undergo a competency-based interview assessing judgement, communication, teamwork, and leadership potential.
- Placement and Career Development: Successful candidates are placed on the YPP roster for three years and may be appointed to various positions within the UN Secretariat.
Why the YPP Matters
The United Nations Young Professionals Programme is more than a career opportunity; it’s a platform for meaningful impact. Graduates of the programme often go on to lead key global initiatives in peacebuilding, humanitarian response, sustainable development, and governance.
For many, it is the beginning of a lifelong journey in international service. As one former YPP participant noted, “It’s not just a job — it’s a calling to make global governance more inclusive and effective.”
The YPP 2025 is an extraordinary opportunity for young leaders from developing and underrepresented nations to bring their talent, energy, and ideas to the world’s most important multilateral institution. While Nigerians are not eligible this year, the programme remains one to watch, especially for those building international development careers or aiming for future cycles.
The United Nations continues to use the YPP as a tool to foster diversity and innovation within its ranks, ensuring that tomorrow’s global leadership reflects the world it serves.
APPLY FOR THE UN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME
Author
Discover more from Leaving Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
