We value diversity and recruit from a wide range of backgrounds. Our personnel come from countries across the globe to support conflict-affected communities in our peacekeeping missions, regional hubs, and at HQ.
Read more about careers in the UN and about working in a field mission.
Civilian
There are many opportunities to work as a civilian in UN Peace Operations. Browse our vacancies on the UN careers website for full-time, temporary, consultant, and internship opportunities.
The UN Volunteer (UNV) programme recruits thousands of specialists, youth, and online volunteers to serve with our field missions and at HQ each year. Enroll today on the UNV website.
Justice and corrections experts can also be nominated by their government to serve with a UN peace operation. Read more here.
Police
UN Peacekeeping needs police officers to serve as:
- Individual Police Officers (IPO): About one-third of police officers are nominated by their government to serve with the UN for up to two years. Individual Police Officers are seconded or loaned national police officers and continue to receive their national salary, while the UN pays a daily Mission Subsistence Allowance (MSA).
- Formed police Units (FPUs): Almost two-thirds of UN police are deployed as a trained and equipped, cohesive unit. The Member State is responsible for paying any emoluments, allowances and benefits owed to its personnel, while the UN reimburses the Member State for formed police unit personnel and equipment during the assignment.
- National seconded police officers on professional posts: About 100 officers are seconded as temporary staff members of the UN. Senior positions in police components in field missions, such as Police Commissioner (P-5 to D-2) are usually employed on these posts.
- Police components also recruit civilian experts with specialized skills. They can be recruited like Individual Police Officers, nominated/ loaned by a member state, or on professional posts.
Find out how to serve as UN Police.
Military
The UN does not have its own military force. It depends on troops contributed by Member States. Queries about working for the UN in a military capacity should be addressed within the applicant's own country first.
All military personnel are, first and foremost, members of their own national armies who are then seconded to work with the UN for periods normally of up to one year in the field, or two years at UNHQ.
Senior Women’s Talent Pipeline
We are looking for senior qualified women with proven leadership skills, integrity, and commitment to create a 'talent pipeline' of Directors in UN Peace Operations.
We are seeking seasoned managers in conflict management, governance, political analysis, strategic communication, law, amongst others, to compete for senior positions in our field missions. These roles are mostly at non-duty family stations in conflict or post conflict settings, at D-1 and D-2 levels.
Women with an advanced level university degree, at least 15 years of relevant professional work experience, and fluent in English are eligible. Fluency in French or Arabic is strongly desirable. Prior UN experience is not mandatory, but experience in conflict-affected, post-conflict countries or humanitarian emergencies, is usually required.
Members benefit from regular updates on vacancies as well as guidance on application and assessment processes. Being a member does not constitute an automatic offer to a post. Members should apply via the UN Careers website.
Referrals or applications to the talent pipeline should include a cover letter and a detailed curriculum vitae (or PHP), submitted to https://www.impactpool.org/un-peace-operations/swtp. Address questions about the initiative to TalentPipeline@un.org.