How to land a job at the United Nations: the skills, degrees and networking that count

The United Nations is the world's largest platform. Seeing UN offices and their officials in films or in the news, many people wonder what the route to getting there is. Does it need a foreign degree, or special connections? Getting a job at the UN is not an impossible dream. It takes the right strategy, firm resolve and sure paths.

The United Nations is not just an office or an institution, but a centre of inspiration for 193 countries across the world. It works on issues ranging from establishing peace and protecting human rights to climate change. If you are determined to make the world a better place and want to build your identity at the global level, the doors of the UN are open to you too.

Professionals from across the world work in the UN and its various affiliated bodies. More than 35,000 to 40,000 regular and permanent international civil servants work in the UN Secretariat and its agencies, funds and programmes (such as UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR). Including peace missions and field operations, the figure crosses one lakh.

Jobs are of both kinds, full-time and on contract. There are permanent posts and fixed-term posts, that is, posts on regular agreements, for the long term. Besides these, consultants and short-term contract staff are also hired according to the needs of projects and field missions. Citizens of almost all 193 member countries work at the UN. Maintaining a balance of geographical representation is the organisation's main objective, so that people from every region get a share in global policies.

Bookish knowledge alone is not enough to find a place in a vast organisation like the UN. Whom you know and how far your professional reach extends also matter a great deal. Global networking means connecting with professionals and institutions across the world engaged in social service, diplomacy or policy making. In the UN's various projects and consultancy roles, those with strong reach often get the opportunity. So take part in international conferences, attend webinars and seek advice from mentors already working in international organisations. Your identity and your work alone will set you apart from the crowd.

Working on the global stage is a big responsibility. A degree alone is not enough for a career at the UN. One also needs to be mentally self-reliant and able to adapt to any situation. While working with people from different corners of the world, differences in language, culture and ways of working come up. In such situations, confidence and the ability to take decisions on one's own take a person forward. You will have to prove that you can handle crisis situations or big projects on your own.

Technical degrees can get you to the interview, but soft skills prove the biggest weapon for staying on at the UN. Excellent communication skills top the list. Global languages such as English and French are used at the UN, so a strong command of them is essential. Beyond this, the art of negotiation, staying calm and taking the right decision in times of crisis, and respecting cultural diversity are also extremely important.

Higher education and academic qualifications are the gateway to a job at the UN. Generally, a postgraduate degree is preferred for entry into the UN or its agencies (such as UNICEF, WHO and UNESCO). Degrees in international relations, public policy, law, economics, environmental science, journalism or social work can open the doors of the UN easily. If one knows more than one international language (such as Spanish, French or Arabic), selection is considered almost certain.