UN Jobs Without Masters Degree (2026 Guide)

Ever wondered if there are real UN jobs without masters? Well, yes.

But it depends on the job level, category, and experience.

Many people believe the United Nations only hires candidates with master’s degrees.

That’s not true.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to work in UN with bachelor degree, UN G level requirements, Entry-level UN jobs and even UN jobs with no experience

Let’s break it down.

Can I Work in UN with Bachelor Degree?

Yes, but mostly in:

• G-Level (General Service)
• National Officer roles
• Entry-level professional roles (P1/P2, depending on experience)
• Internships
• Consultancies (skill-based)

What matters more than the degree is your experience, technical skill, language and location.

In many UN job postings, you’ll see:

“Advanced university degree (Master’s) OR first-level university degree with 2 additional years of experience.”

That means your bachelor’s degree is acceptable, if you compensate with experience.

UN Job Levels

Here’s a simple breakdown of job categories in UN.

Level	Master’s Required?	Typical Entry Route
G-Level	No	Administrative & support roles
NO-A / NO-B	Often No	National professional roles
P1	Sometimes	Rare entry-level professional
P2	Often Yes (or experience substitute)	Junior professional roles
Internship	No	Student/recent graduate

If you haven’t read it yet, See Full Detail on UN Job Levels (P vs G Guide)

UN G-Level Requirements

If you’re searching for un jobs without masters, G-level roles are your strongest entry point.

What are G-level roles?

G-level stands for “General Service.”

These roles include:

• Administrative Assistant
• Programme Assistant
• Finance Clerk
• HR Assistant
• Logistics Assistant
• IT Support

G-level staff are often hired locally.

Education requirements

• High school diploma + experience
  OR
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred but not always mandatory)

In many cases, a bachelor’s degree actually gives you an advantage over minimum requirements.

Important note for Africans

G-level jobs are tied to duty stations.

If you’re in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Addis Ababa, or Dakar, check UN country offices regularly.

These roles are less competitive than international P-level jobs.

Entry Level UN Jobs Africa

Here are realistic options if you hold a bachelor’s degree:

1. Programme Assistant (G6/G7)

Often available at agencies like:

• UNDP
• UNICEF
• UNHCR

These roles focus on:

• Supporting project implementation
• Drafting reports
• Organizing workshops
• Data entry & coordination

2. National Officer (NO-A / NO-B)

These roles are open only to nationals of the country.

Bachelor’s degree is often acceptable.

Experience requirement: 1–3 years.

This is one of the best entry level UN jobs Africa pathways.

3. Field-Based support roles

In humanitarian contexts, agencies recruit:

• Field Assistants
• Registration Assistants
• Monitoring Assistants

Bachelor’s degree + field experience is often sufficient.

4. Individual consultancies

You can secure consultancy contracts without a masters if you have skills in the following.

• Graphic design
• Data analysis
• Communications
• Monitoring & Evaluation

Consultancies are skill-based, not degree-based.

UN Jobs With No Experience

Let’s be honest.

UN jobs with ‘no experience’ is rare.

But here are some realistic entry points:

Internship programmes

Internships do not require a master’s degree.

They require:

• Current enrollment OR recent graduation
• Strong academic performance
• Language skills

Internships build the experience you need for future roles.

UN Volunteers (UNV)

The United Nations Volunteers programme offers:

• National UNV assignments
• Youth UNV roles

Some youth roles require little experience, a strong pathway for bachelor’s holders.

How to Compensate for Not Having a Master’s

If you don’t have a master’s degree, focus on the following instead.

1. Specialized skills

Examples:

• Power BI
• Advanced Excel
• Data collection tools
• Proposal writing
• Monitoring & Evaluation

Technical skill often beats academic level.

2. Certifications

Short courses in:

• Project Management
• Humanitarian coordination
• Results-Based Management
• Public health

These strengthen your profile.

3. Local NGO experience

Working with:

• International NGOs
• Donor-funded projects
• Government agencies

Builds experience that substitutes for higher education.

What UN Jobs Often Require a Master’s?

• P3 and above roles
• Policy advisory roles
• Senior programme management
• Economist / specialist roles

These usually require advanced degrees.

Common Mistakes Bachelor’s Degree Holders Make

• Applying only for P-level international roles.
• Ignoring national positions.
• Not tailoring CV to match experience.
• Assuming degree level is the only barrier.

Experience is the real gap, not the master’s degree.

Strategy for Africans Without a Master’s

Here’s a realistic roadmap:

Year 0–1:

• Secure internship or NGO role.

Year 1–3:

• Apply for G-level or NO-A roles.

Year 3–5:

• Build experience and qualify for P2 roles.

Some professionals enter UN careers without ever completing a master’s.

It’s slower, but possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

If you are searching for un jobs without masters, do not disqualify yourself.

The UN system is structured.

Once you understand job levels, experience substitution, national vs international roles and skill-based entry paths, you can build a strategy.

A master’s degree can accelerate your path. But strategy and positioning matter more.