How to Apply on UN Inspira (2026) Guide

If you’ve ever tried applying for a UN job, you’ve probably heard of Inspira.

But many applicants get confused with how to apply on UN Inspira, what the UN Inspira application process is, and some UN Inspira errors that cause rejection?

This is the most detailed guide you will find online for African applicants.

Let’s start from the beginning.

What is UN Inspira?

United Nations Inspira is the official online recruitment portal for the UN Secretariat.

It is used for:

• Professional (P-level) jobs
• General Service (G-level) jobs
• Internships
• Temporary jobs

But not all UN agencies use Inspira.

Agencies like UNDP and UNICEF have separate career portals.

Inspira is mostly for UN Secretariat roles.

See How to Apply on UN Inspira

Follow this step-by-step guide for applying on UN Inspira.

1. Create an Inspira account

You must create an account before you can apply.

Here is how:

Go to the Official Inspira Portal

Access via the UN Careers website.

Click “Create account here”

You’ll need:

• A valid email address
• A secure password
• Personal information (name, nationality, date of birth)

You’ll receive a confirmation email after registration to verify your account before logging in.

2. Complete your Personal History Profile (PHP)

Your Personal History Profile (PHP) is not just a CV upload.

It’s a structured form where you manually enter:

• Education history
• Employment history
• Skills
• Languages
• References
• Publications (if applicable)

Many applicants fail here.

The UN shortlisting system scans your PHP and if information is missing, you may not pass the first screening.

How to Fill Education Section

Include:

• Exact degree title
• University name
• Start and end dates
• Field of study

Do not shorten degree names. Write exactly as shown on your certificate.

How to Fill Work Experience Section

For each job, include:

• Official job title
• Organization name
• Exact dates (month/year)
• Detailed responsibilities

Do not copy and paste generic duties but match your responsibilities to the job description.

Use similar keywords from the vacancy announcement. This improves your chances during automated screening.

3. Search for vacancies

Inside Inspira, use filters to search by:

• Job category
• Duty station
• Job level (P2, P3, G6, Internship)
• Department

Read the vacancy carefully and check the following.

• Minimum education
• Required years of experience
• Language requirements

Don’t apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements. It’s a waste of your time.

• See the Best Degrees for UN Jobs in Africa

4. How to submit application on Inspira

Once you find a suitable job:

1. Click “Apply Now”
2. Select your Personal History Profile
3. Answer screening questions carefully
4. Attach required documents (if requested)
5. Submit before deadline

After submission, your status will show as follows.

• Applied
• Under Consideration
• Shortlisted
• Rejected

UN Inspira Application Process Explained

Here is what happens after you apply.

1. Automated screening

Your application is screened against minimum requirements.

If you fail this stage, you are automatically rejected.

2. Hiring Manager review

The hiring team reviews shortlisted applications.

They compare:

• Education
• Experience relevance
• Keywords alignment

3. Assessment

You may be invited to:

• a written test
• a technical assessment
• a competency-based interview

4. Reference check and final decision

Your references are contacted before an offer may be made.

The entire process can take 2–6 months.

Patience is required.

UN Inspira Application Errors

Many African applicants get rejected because of simple mistakes.

Here are the most common UN Inspira application errors to avoid.

• Leaving Sections Incomplete

If any required field is empty, you risk disqualification.

• Copy-Pasting the Same PHP for Every Job

Each application must be tailored. Generic profiles rarely pass.

• Not Meeting Years of Experience

If a job requires 5 years and you have 3, you’ll likely be screened out.

• Writing Very Short Responsibilities

The UN expects detailed descriptions.

Instead of writing: “Worked on projects.”

Write: “Coordinated monitoring and evaluation activities for a multi-country development programme, including data analysis and stakeholder reporting.”

• Ignoring Language Requirements

If French is required and you don’t list it, you may be rejected.

Pro Tips for Successful Application

• Use keywords from the vacancy announcement.
• Fill every section carefully.
• Double-check dates for consistency.
• Keep formatting clean and professional.
• Save your PHP before deadline.

Also See Why Most UN Job Applications Get Rejected

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Learning how to apply on UN Inspira correctly can improve your chances of being shortlisted.

Most rejections happen when applicants:

• Rush the process
• Do not tailor their PHP
• Ignore minimum criteria

If you approach the UN Inspira application process strategically, you stand out from the majority of applicants.