What jobs can you do for the UN?

What are the different job roles in the UN and what qualifications do you need to work there? 

Known the world over for its humanitarian work and impact tackling some of society’s greatest issues, the United Nations (UN) is understandably one of the most sought-after places of employment. It brings together highly motivated, often inspirational colleagues from different countries and cultures, who share the same goal – to solve global challenges.  

With opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives, not to mention travel and engage with others across the globe, the UN – as an employer – offers a highly rewarding and fulfilling career. Not surprisingly, recruitment is extremely competitive. So what exactly are the jobs on offer within the UN and what qualifications/experience do you need to apply?  

What is the United Nations (UN)? 

The United Nations or ‘UN’ is an intergovernmental organisation which was formed at the end of World War II primarily to maintain international peace and security and achieve greater international collaboration.

Currently made of up 193 member states, it advises governments, produces policy and takes action to tackle a wide range of problems and issues, such as climate change, sustainable development, social justice, human rights, disaster mitigation, immigration, asylum, counter terrorism and disarmament. 

The UN is currently comprised of five main organisations (since the suspension of the Trusteeship Council in 1994): 

• General Assembly: The main deliberative and policy-making body. 
• Security Council: Takes the lead in identifying threats and maintaining international peace and security. 
• Economic and Social Council: The heart of the UN development system, it is responsible for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

• International Court of Justice: Also known as the World Court, this is the principal judicial organ, settling legal disputes between states according to international law. 
• Secretariat: Led by the Secretary-General, the Secretariat forms the UN’s executive or administrative arm, employing staff and responsible for the day-to-day activities of the UN.  

Who works at the UN? 

The UN’s global workforce is made up of almost 40,000 staff, of whom 35% are women and 65% men, from all 193 member states. They carry out a massive array of different jobs, but all share the same values of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.  

The Secretariat, which officially employs UN staff, is organised along departmental lines, with each department or office having a distinct area of action and responsibility, for example, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Safety and Security or the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The UN as a whole is a large, complex organisation, with multiple offices, departments, commissions and committees summarised here.  

Where do people in the UN work? 

Much of the UN Secretariat is based at its New York Headquarters, in the United States. However, there are also three major offices in Geneva (Switzerland), Nairobi (Kenya) and Vienna (Austria) and five Regional Economic Commissions in Adis Ababa (Africa), Bangkok (Thailand), Beirut (Lebanon), Geneva (Switzerland) and Santiago (Chile). 

UN Peacekeeping, a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support, often involves work by military and support staff out in the field. Its peacekeepers protect civilians and help prevent conflict, reducing violence and strengthening security.

Current field operations are taking place in the following locations: Western Sahara; Central African Republic; Mali; the Congo; Golan; Cyprus; Lebanon; Abyei; Kosovo; South Sudan; India and Pakistan; and the Middle East. 

UN competencies 

By its own admission, the UN is not for everyone. You must be the type of person who will travel and work anywhere at a moment’s notice, who has the strength of character attributes to make a difference in a complex world, and someone who can bring out the best in others and thrive in an environment that is truly international and multi-cultural. 

The UN’s competency framework sets out the desired core competencies of staff in communication, teamwork, planning and organising, accountability, creativity, client orientation, commitment to continuous learning, and technological awareness. For more senior roles, it expects managerial competencies of leadership, vision, empowering others, building trust, managing performance, and judgment/decision-making. 

UN career paths 

As part of its careers development, the UN has grouped families of jobs into the following job networks to make it easier to identify the areas you’d like to work in: 

• Management and Administration Network (MAGNET): Focuses on the management of human and financial resources, ethics, investigation and audit, management and analysis, and administrative support. Impacts the strategic direction of UN management practices, policies, accountability and related issues, including key decisions concerning procurement and budgets. This is an ideal option for those studying our MSc International Public Policy. 
• Economic, Social and Development Network (DEVENT): The majority of jobs entail analysis of economic sectoral development at global, regional and national levels. Many specialise in intergovernmental support, organisation of international conferences and forums, and preparation of summary reports. Studying the MA International Relations will give you the skills needed to think, speak, and write critically about international issues. 
• Political, Peace and Humanitarian Network (POLNET): Jobs cover political analysis, and preparation of studies and reports on political, humanitarian and emergency relief issues for various UN bodies and committees. Requires knowledge of political science, law, international relations and public administration, making it suitable for graduates of any of our master’s courses. 
• Information and Telecommunication Technology Network (ITECNET): Sets the overall strategic direction for IT within the UN and provides support to enterprise systems and infrastructure. These jobs are suited to individuals with a background in computer science, information systems and other technical sciences. 

• Legal Network (LEGALNET):  Provides advice and legal services on questions of international, national, public, private, procedural and administrative law. Staff also represent the UN in judicial proceedings, negotiations or other procedures for the conclusion of agreements or the settlement of disputes. The solid theoretical grounding and specialist knowledge you’ll gain on our LLM International Dispute Resolution make this an ideal opportunity for progression. 
• Public Information and Conference Management Network (INFONET): Jobs in this network focus on public communication campaigns, public communication and partnerships. While they attract individuals from backgrounds in business administration, communications, international relations, social sciences and public policy, they require excellent knowledge at least three of the six official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). 
• Internal Security and Safety Network (SAFETYNET): This network is centrally responsible for the coordination of security policies and the management of security personnel. For the most senior positions, such as Security Officers and Security Guards, military service or national police experience, or both, is a requirement, together with a degree in political or social science, international relations, law enforcement, business administration or related fields. 
• Logistics, Transportation, and Supply Chain Network (LOGNET): Brings together job families in engineering, facilities management, human settlements, logistics and supply chain, procurement, property and asset management, and transportation. Ideal for candidates educated in general business or public administration, or specialist supply and logistics. 
• Science Network (SCINET): Employing nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, veterinarians, and dentists, as well as supporting staff, this network is focused on medical related services, anthropology, and natural life sciences. Our MSc Global Public Health gives you the knowledge of global health governance required to understand health concerns and how to combat them.  

Interested in roles in other intergovernmental organisations? Read our guide to the different opportunities: