Recruitment competitions

Some institutions, such as the EC, hold centrally-managed recruitment competitions.  These are highly competitive and include several stages of examinations and interviews (see also Who the International Organisations Are and How They Recruit).  

See the European Commission website publishing details of recruitment processes and upcoming EC concours.

The UN also runs annual competitions for its Young Professionals Programme.  The programme is open to nationals of countries who are currently under-represented within the UN.  UK nationals are eligible to apply. 

The Programme recruits professionals in different specialist areas, which vary each year. Applicants should be aged 32 years or younger, hold at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the specialist areas selected for that year, and be fluent in either English or French. 

The specialist areas are usually announced by the UN in the early summer.  Candidates who pass the initial sift are invited to participate in the examinations, which typically take place in December.  The final stage is an interview.

In 2012 the specialist areas are: architecture, economic affairs, information system and technology, political affairs, radio producer and social affairs.  The application period for the 2012 exams will start on 13 July and close on 12 September.

See the UN website publishing details of upcoming Young Professional competitions.