What it does: United Nations (UN) India supports the country’s efforts to alleviate inequality and poverty, based on the organization’s Sustainable Development Framework.
Best known for: The UN system in India comprises 26 agencies where freshers can explore different areas of interest for a career.
Staff stats: more than 10,000 employees
The good bits: UN India’s reputation alone can open a lot of doors for freshers in terms of networking and multicultural learning experiences.
The not-so-good bits: Insiders cited bureaucracy and a cumbersome promotion system as some of the pitfalls of working for the organization.
India became a member of the United Nations in 1945. The organization focuses on seven key areas that shaped the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework:
The broad range of categories means more flexibility for freshers to choose a suitable career path for them. In addition, they can join the organization as peacekeeping personnel. More than 7,800 people in India work on peacekeeping missions.
While UN India’s diverse network of agencies provides extensive work opportunities, it’s a different story to move vertically within these positions. Insiders revealed a cumbersome career progression system that’s buried in paperwork.
Fortunately, freshers can divert their attention to other positive aspects of working for the organization. UN India teems with highly educated people from several countries. In other words, their learning experiences will transcend beyond different cultures.
Freshers can expect a multicultural workplace where people display ‘integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.
Former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh faced corruption charges related to the UN Oil-for-Food Program in Iraq. Singh had to resign from his role in 2005 following the allegations.
UN India’s development projects target seven states in India. The organization claims that almost 68% of the country’s poor population live in these regions:
Successful candidates at UN India can explicitly demonstrate how their credentials meet the demands of their roles. Freshers should think carefully if an unpaid internship can indeed be a worthwhile trade-off for possible networking and multicultural learning experiences.
They should also expect a tedious career progression system—one that may be riddled with extensive processes and academic requirements.
Freshers should create an account on Inspira before they can apply for jobs. UN India uses the online platform to advertise career opportunities across the organization’s network.
Take note of academic requirements and other listed details on job openings (eg designated offices or duty stations). While UN India’s headquarters is in New Delhi, there are several satellite offices across the country for field service:
Once freshers decide to apply, they need to draft a custom CV and cover letter for the position. UN India requires a completed form for applications, and attached resumes will be unacceptable.
The organization will then evaluate submitted applications based on three factors: education, experience, and skills. Shortlisted candidates should pass a technical assessment (eg written exam, simulation exercises).
Competency-based interviews take place after successfully passing the assessment. Be ready for a phone, video conference, or in-person interview. The organization never conducts e-mail interviews.
UN India extends the courtesy of informing candidates if they weren’t selected for the role. The organization may take between two weeks and six months to complete the hiring process.
Internships are the most common way for freshers to join UN India. While everyone with the right experience and skills are welcome, the organization generally prefers people with degrees related to their causes (eg development communication, economics, language, and linguistics).
Freshers who are fluent in English and French are already one step ahead of their peers. More opportunities arise if they are fluent in other official UN languages:
The organization also has five different staff categories:
Freshers need at least six years of work experience to become field staff members. The job entails a lot of international travel to field missions.
These jobs consist of administrative, clerical support, secretarial, and technical work.
Early-career professionals usually pursue this role at UN India because it only requires at least one year of relevant work experience.
An advanced university degree will be necessary for professionals and UN India directors. The organization may accept someone with a first-level university degree and extensive work experience.
The UN Secretary-General appoints the Deputy Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General, and Assistant Secretary-General to a respective department or office.
Interns at UN India don’t earn a salary. If they become national professional officers, the compensation will reflect the salary scale in India.
Some insiders said that the salary brackets can be improved, although UN India makes up for it by offering a competitive compensation package:
The actual salaries also depend on a fresher’s designated office. For instance, the gross salaries of entry-level national professional officers in New Delhi range from INR1.95 million to INR2.05 million.