UNDP Graduate Programme

Position description

The UNDP Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity for talented young graduates to gain hands-on experience in international development work with a UNDP country, regional or headquarters office.   

The Graduate Programme was launched in 2021, with the objectives to further UNDP’s workforce diversity, strengthen organizational capacity and build a talent pipeline of committed professionals for the next generation workforce. Complementing UNDP’s other young talent programmes, the Graduate Programme targets recent graduates from UNDP programme countries.  

UNDP has launched two cohorts of the Graduate Programme. The first cohort in 2021 attracted more than 38,000 applicants from over 130 UNDP programme countries and 33 candidates were selected for the talent pool of whom 18 were deployed in 2022. The second cohort in 2022 attracted over 37,000 applicants from 145 UNDP programme countries with 36 candidates selected for the talent pool of whom 19 were deployed in 2023-2024.  

Graduates are deployed in a UNDP country, regional, or headquarter office. The map below shows an overview of duty stations where the first two cohort graduates are deployed. 
 

 

Qualifications

The UNDP Graduate Programme helps fuel the next generation UNDP workforce while infusing the organization with new and diverse perspectives.  

The Graduate Programme is part of UNDP’s entry-level offer to young professionals.   

Candidates must meet the following requirements: 

• Must be from a UNDP programme country. Women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous peoples groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Graduates who are the first generation in their family to attend university are also strongly encouraged to apply.
• Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field with a maximum of 1 year relevant work experience, OR
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Have a strong interest in pursuing a career in international development and ready to help accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals. 
• Have strong systems-thinking, innovation and/or digital skills.
• Language skills: Fluency in English in both spoken and written; working knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish may be an asset or a requirement for some positions.
• Ready to live and work for 2 years in another country.
  

Application instructions

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