UN Personal History Profile (PHP) Guide

If you apply for a job via the UN portal, your success depends heavily on your Personal History Profile (PHP).

This UN Personal History Profile guide will show you how to fill UN PHP form with practical UN PHP sample for Africans that pass screening.

Most UN applicants get rejected before interview.

Not due to their qualifications, but because their PHP is weak.

Let’s fix that.

What is UN Personal History Profile (PHP)?

The Personal History Profile (PHP) is the official online application form used on the UN portal (Inspira).

It is NOT just a CV upload.

It is a structured system where you manually enter:

• Personal details
• Education
• Work experience
• Languages
• Skills
• References
• Publications (if relevant)

The UN shortlisting team uses this information to decide if you meet the minimum criteria.

If your PHP is incomplete or poorly written, you’re eliminated early.

• See How to Apply on UN Inspira

Why PHP is More Important than CV

Many African applicants make the mistake of uploading a strong CV and rushing the PHP.

Meanwhile, the UN evaluates these areas more in your PHP:

• Your structured profile
• Keyword alignment
• Years of experience
• Detailed responsibilities

Your CV is secondary and it will not save you if your PHP is weak.

How to fill UN PHP form

Below is a detailed breakdown of every major section.

1. Personal Information Section

Fill in:

• Full legal name (as in passport)
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Contact details

Be consistent with all official documents. Avoid spelling inconsistencies.

2. Education Section

For each degree, include:

• Exact degree title
• Institution name
• Start and end dates (month/year)
• Field of study
• Degree status (completed or ongoing)

Do NOT shorten degree titles.

Wrong: “BSc Public Health”
Correct: “Bachelor of Science in Public Health”

If the job requires a Master’s degree, ensure you list it.

• See the Best Degrees for UN Jobs in Africa

3. Work Experience Section

For each job, provide:

• Exact job title
• Employer name
• Location
• Start and end dates
• Detailed responsibilities

How to Write UN Application Profile Experience Properly

Do not write short generic statements.

Weak example:

Assisted in project management.

Strong example:

Supported monitoring and evaluation of a multi-country development project, including data collection, stakeholder coordination, and preparation of quarterly progress reports.

Use:

• Action verbs
• Measurable results
• Keywords from the vacancy

This improves automated screening.

4. Languages Section

List:

• Official UN languages (English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Russian)
• Proficiency level (fluent, intermediate, basic)

If applying for roles in West or Central Africa, French can increase competitiveness.

Be honest. Interviews may test language ability.

5. Skills Section

Include:

• Technical skills (e.g., SPSS, Power BI, SAP)
• Computer skills
• Project management tools
• Data analysis tools

Match skills with job description keywords.

6. Screening Questions

You may be asked:

• Do you meet the minimum years of experience?
• Do you possess required certifications?
• Do you have experience in a specific field?

Answer truthfully because false declarations can later lead to disqualification.

UN Inspira PHP structure

Here is a simple structure you can follow.

Work Experience Example Format

Job Title: Programme Assistant
Organization: XYZ Development Initiative
Dates: January 2021 – March 2024
Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Responsibilities:

• Coordinated monitoring activities for community development programmes.
• Conducted field data collection and analysis using Excel and KoboToolbox.
• Prepared donor progress reports and stakeholder presentations.
• Supported procurement and logistics planning.

UN Personal History Profile Sample for Africans (Key Tips)

When applying as an African:

• Highlight regional experience.
• Mention collaboration with government ministries.
• Emphasize donor-funded project exposure.
• Include field experience (if relevant)

UN hiring managers value contextual knowledge.

Common PHP Mistakes that Cause Rejection

• Leaving date gaps unexplained.
• Writing very short responsibilities.
• Not tailoring profile per job.
• Ignoring required keywords.
• Copying and pasting CV text without adjustment

Also review: Reasons Why UN Job Applications Get Rejected

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Your PHP is not just a form, it’s your first interview.

If you learn how to fill UN PHP form properly, your chances of being shortlisted increase significantly.

Most applicants rush, serious applicants optimize and win.