UNESCO has opened the application process for its intake 2009 Young Professionals Program (YPP). The program is extremely competitive, and is expected to be particularly so this year as UNESCO did not offer it last year. Each under-represented member state is allowed to submit twelve candidates for further consideration by UNESCO, of which only ten will be selected worldwide for this program.
Applicants must be under thirty years of age as of 31 December 2008.
UNESCO is headquartered in Paris and an excellent knowledge of English or French is a requirement. UNESCO considers knowledge of both working languages (French/English) as a strong asset. The most competitive candidates will be conversant in at least two of the six UN languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
This year, UNESCO specifically has expressed an interested in candidates that have an advanced university degree in the following fields:
- Education (Science Education)
- Environmental Sciences (Environment or Ecology and/or World Life Management focused on environmental planning for sustainable development)
- Discrimination and Racism (law degree and/or political sciences and/or sociology; focus on human rights)
- Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries (cultural expressions with focus on creative industries)
- Information Services (Information technology with a focus on SAP software in Human Resources)
- Audit/Internal Oversight (auditing and/or risk management, and/or informational technology; accounting)
- Communications (communications and/or media studies with a focus in media management)
- Relations with Member States (International Relations and/or Political Science with a focus within the Arab world)
- Human Resources (business administration with focus in Human Resources Management)
- Treasury (accounting and/or financial analysis; ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) certified an advantage)
UNESCO will make its selection based on excellence, achievement, and commitment to UNESCO's mandate. A relevant first professional experience can be an asset. After assessing all applications, the UNESCO Bureau of Human Resources Management will invite a number of candidates to Headquarters in Paris for interviews and language examinations. The selected candidates will be recruited with a one-year contract at the P-1 level (approximately $45,000 tax-free). During the first 12 months of employment within a Program Sector, a Field Office, or an Administrative Service of the Organization, the Young Professionals will be given the opportunity to expand their knowledge of UNESCO and the UN System, and to acquire the relevant skills related to UNESCO's fields of competence and its administration. A renewal of contracts will depend on the careful examination of performance during this probationary period. Those, whose performance will have met the required standards, will be offered a subsequent extension of appointment, becoming regular UNESCO staff members.
The U.S. National Commission for UNESCO serves as the coordinating body for the applications of U.S. citizens. Only U.S. citizens should apply to the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO; other nationals should apply through their respective countries. The National Commission will recommend twelve American candidates whom they feel should be sent forward to UNESCO for further consideration.
Three hardcopies and one electronic (PDF, word) copy must be received by the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO by 11:59 PM Eastern on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. Please FedEx or DHL material to:
U.S. National Commission for UNESCO
2121 Virginia Avenue, Suite 6200
Washington, DC 20037
Electronic material can be emailed to DCUNESCO@state.gov
For information on previous application cycles click here.
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