UN FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026 Now Open for Applications

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced the opening of the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026, a recruitment initiative for talented young professionals from non or underrepresented member countries.

The YPP is a career development opportunity for young professionals who are nationals of non or underrepresented members, with a focus on starting a career as an international civil servant with FAO. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general.

Under the supervision of a senior staff member, Young Professional Officers will work with international and national staff and be involved in the identification, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of FAO activities. The purposes of assignments may vary and may have a country-specific, regional, sector-based, or thematic focus.

## Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the YPP, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

- Be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application; - Hold an Advanced university degree (Master’s, Ph.D. or equivalent) in a field relevant to the work of FAO; - Have a minimum of one year of professional experience in a field relevant to the work of FAO; - Possess a working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian); - Not bear any of the following relationships to staff members of the Organization: son, daughter, brother, or sister.

## Application Process

Applications for the YPP 2026 are now open, and candidates can visit the list of YPP opportunities currently available in the Organization to apply. The application and selection process will be conducted in English. For more information, candidates can visit the UN FAO Young Professionals Programme website.

The application deadline for the YPP 2026 is September 7, 2026.