FAO Young Professionals Programme

FAO's Young Professionals Programme recruits early-career professionals into the UN's food and agriculture agency as international civil servants. The 2026 call opens nine P-1 Young Professional Officer positions, each a two year fixed-term staff appointment (one year probation, possible extension) starting at P-1 step 1 and moving to step 2 in the second year. Priority goes to nationals of non and under-represented FAO members, especially Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries.

What you get:

• Two year fixed-term UN staff contract at P-1 level, with possible extension
• Progression from P-1 step 1 to step 2 in year two
• Mentorship under senior FAO staff
• Entry path into an international civil service career
• Free applicant outreach webinars before the deadline

What you'll do:

• Work in one of nine technical or professional roles across five duty stations
• Support design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO programmes
• Conduct research, analysis and reporting in your discipline
• Coordinate with governments, partners and research institutions

• Aged 32 or younger on 31 December 2026
• Priority for nationals of non and under-represented FAO members, especially SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
• Advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) relevant to the chosen position, from a WHED-recognised institution
• At least 1 year of relevant professional experience
• Working knowledge of English plus limited knowledge of another FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian)
• Must not be the child or sibling of an FAO staff member
• No application fees