UN FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026

The UN FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026 is a fully funded international recruitment programme designed to attract talented young professionals who are interested in building a career with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The programme provides an opportunity for qualified candidates to contribute to FAO's mission of ending hunger, improving food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting rural development worldwide.

Successful candidates are recruited as Young Professional Officers (YPOs) and work under the guidance of experienced FAO staff on projects related to agriculture, food systems, climate change, nutrition, fisheries, forestry, economics, communications, and sustainable development. The programme offers a two-year fixed-term international appointment at the P-1 professional level, giving participants valuable experience within the United Nations system.

About UN FAO Young Professionals Programme

The FAO Young Professionals Programme is part of FAO's Young Talent Programme, which seeks to recruit highly qualified young professionals capable of contributing innovative ideas and technical expertise to global food and agriculture challenges.

Young Professional Officers work alongside experienced international experts and participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of FAO projects. Depending on the assigned position, fellows may contribute to country programmes, regional initiatives, technical research, policy development, emergency response, climate resilience projects, or global food security initiatives.

Assignments vary according to the vacancy and technical area. Participants may support governments in developing agricultural policies, conduct technical research, prepare reports, manage development projects, coordinate partnerships, or contribute to innovation in food systems.

Programme Benefits

Selected candidates receive a comprehensive employment package that includes:

• Two-year fixed-term international appointment.
• Appointment at the P-1 Professional level.
• Competitive United Nations salary.
• International benefits package.
• Health insurance.
• Pension scheme participation.
• Paid annual leave.
• Family-related allowances where applicable.
• Rental subsidy where eligible.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Experience working within an international UN environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to global food security and sustainable development initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December 2026.
• Hold an advanced university degree (Master's, PhD, or equivalent) in a field relevant to the advertised position.
• Have at least one year of relevant professional experience.
• Possess working knowledge of English.
• Have limited knowledge of another FAO official language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian).
• Be a national of an FAO Member Nation that is non- or underrepresented in FAO.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in multicultural and international environments.
• Not have immediate family relationships with FAO staff members as specified in the programme rules.

Applicants should carefully review each vacancy announcement because additional technical requirements may vary depending on the specific position.

Available Areas Of Study

The programme recruits professionals from a broad range of disciplines, including:

• Agriculture
• Food Security
• Nutrition
• Climate Change
• Forestry
• Fisheries
• Aquaculture
• Economics
• Rural Development
• Environmental Science
• Natural Resource Management
• Agricultural Engineering
• Programme Management
• Communications
• Finance
• Statistics
• Public Policy
• Sustainable Development
• International Development
• Data and Digital Technologies
• Other fields relevant to FAO's mandate.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following before applying:

• Completed online FAO application.
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Advanced university degree details.
• Employment history.
• Professional references where required.
• Language proficiency information.
• Responses requested within the FAO recruitment portal.
• Supporting documents requested for the selected vacancy.

Candidates should ensure that all information is complete and accurate before submitting their applications.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed based on several factors, including:

• Academic qualifications.
• Relevant professional experience.
• Technical expertise related to the advertised position.
• Language proficiency.
• Analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in multicultural teams.
• Motivation to contribute to FAO's mission.
• Overall suitability for an international professional role.

How To Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official FAO Careers portal.
2. Search for vacancies labelled "Young Professionals Programme (YPP)."
3. Review the available positions and choose the one that best matches your qualifications.
4. Read the eligibility requirements carefully.
5. Complete the online application form.
6. Upload the required information and supporting documents.
7. Review your application thoroughly.
8. Submit your application before the deadline.

FAO also offers outreach webinars to help prospective applicants understand the recruitment process, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. Applicants are encouraged to attend these sessions before submitting their applications.