The UNDP Graduate Programme, launched in 2021 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), gives talented young graduates from UNDP programme countries hands-on experience in international development. Participants are deployed for two years to a UNDP country, regional, or headquarters office, working in one of two streams — Programme and Policy, or Corporate Operations — while following a structured learning path.
The programme aims to diversify UNDP’s workforce and build a talent pipeline for the next generation. Two cohorts have run so far (2021 and 2022), each drawing more than 37,000 applicants from over 130 UNDP programme countries; the next recruitment campaign is under consideration and not yet open.
Benefits & funding
- A two-year assignment with a UNDP country, regional, or headquarters office, in either the Programme and Policy or the Corporate Operations stream.
- A customised “Formation Journey” learning path to build knowledge, stretch capabilities, and gain real-world experience alongside development professionals.
- Strategic exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development, and a valuable entry point into UNDP and the wider UN system.
- Compensation follows UNDP’s standard terms for the assignment; a specific stipend or salary figure is not published on the programme page.
Eligibility
- Must be a national of a UNDP programme country.
- Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field with a maximum of 1 year of relevant work experience, OR a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 2 to 3 years of relevant work experience.
- A strong interest in a career in international development and a readiness to help accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Strong systems-thinking, innovation, and/or digital skills.
- Fluency in English, 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 two years in another country.
- Women, people from minority and indigenous groups, persons with disabilities, and first-generation university graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Myanmar · Cambodia · China · Fiji · Indonesia · Kiribati · Laos · Malaysia · Mongolia · Nauru · Papua New Guinea · Philippines
+ 133 more
Samoa · Solomon Islands · Thailand · Bahamas · Timor-Leste · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu · Vietnam · Albania · Armenia · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Georgia · Kosovo · Kyrgyzstan · Moldova · Montenegro · North Macedonia · Serbia · Türkiye · Ukraine · Algeria · Bahrain · Egypt · Iraq · Jordan · Lebanon · Morocco · Oman · Palestine · Saudi Arabia · Tunisia · UAE · Yemen · Bangladesh · Bhutan · India · Kazakhstan · Maldives · Nepal · Pakistan · Sri Lanka · Tajikistan · Turkmenistan · Uzbekistan · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cabo Verde · Cameroon · Central African Republic · Comoros · DR Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Equatorial Guinea · Eritrea · Eswatini · Ethiopia · Gabon · Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Niger · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Africa · Tanzania · Togo · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe · Antigua and Barbuda · Argentina · Barbados · Belize · Bolivia · Brazil · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · El Salvador · Grenada · Guatemala · Guyana · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago · Uruguay · Venezuela · Nigeria · Chad · Sudan · South Sudan · Libya · Iran · Syria · Micronesia · Marshall Islands · Afghanistan
Education required
Bachelor · Master
Experience required
≤ 3 yrs
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Application process
- 1Wait for UNDP to open a recruitment campaign — the next one is under consideration, with details to be shared on the UNDP careers site.
- 2Apply online through the UNDP careers portal during the open campaign, submitting your academic and work-experience details.
- 3Selected candidates enter a talent pool and may be deployed to a UNDP country, regional, or headquarters office for a two-year assignment.
Program timeline
2021
First cohort launched — 33 candidates selected for the talent pool, 18 deployed in 2022.
2022
Second cohort launched — 36 candidates selected, 19 deployed in 2023–2024.
Next recruitment campaign
under consideration; dates to be announced by UNDP.