How to Get UN Job After Internship (2026 Guide)

If you’re searching for how to get UN job after internship, this guide explains the real strategy.

Many interns assume good performance just turns UN internship to P2 contract.

It does not.

The United Nations does not “convert” interns into staff by default.

But interns have an advantage, if they use it correctly.

Let’s break it down.

Converting UN Internship to P2

There is no automatic conversion system.

Unlike private companies, the UN requires you to:

• apply formally
• compete openly
• meet eligibility requirements
• pass screening and interviews

However, UN interns have three powerful advantages:

1. Internal exposure
2. Direct supervisor references
3. Real UN system experience

These increase your odds.

UN Internship Career Path

Most interns aim for:

• P1 or P2 (Professional Level Entry Roles)
• National Officer roles (NO-A / NO-B)
• Individual Consultancy contracts

Professional levels are part of the UN grading system:

Level	Typical Experience	Who It Targets
P1	0–2 years	Rare entry-level
P2	2+ years	Most common early-career role
NO-A	1–2 years	National professionals
Consultant	Flexible	Project-based experts

Many African interns aim for UN internship to P2 transition, but here’s the truth:

You need at least 2 years of relevant experience post-graduation for P2.

If you do not qualify yet, your internship should help you build that experience.

See How to Get UN Job After Internship

1. Perform for visibility, not just completion

Most interns:

• Finish assigned tasks
• Submit deliverables
• Leave quietly

Smart interns:

• Ask for measurable assignments
• Volunteer for cross-unit projects
• Request exposure to meetings
• Deliver beyond scope

You need accomplishments you can later write like:

“Contributed to development of regional youth employment strategy adopted across 6 African country offices.”

That becomes powerful on your CV and Personal History Profile (PHP).

2. Master networking inside UN internship

One of the biggest advantages interns waste is access.

Networking inside UN internship is your hidden weapon.

Here’s how to do it well:

• Schedule short coffee chats with staff
• Ask about their career paths
• Learn how they moved to P2 or P3
• Request career advice, not job requests

Do NOT ask: “Can you hire me?”

Instead ask: “What skills should I strengthen to be competitive for P2 roles?”

That shifts the conversation.

3. Secure a strong supervisor reference

Before your internship ends, ask your supervisor:

• Can you provide a reference for future UN applications?
• Would you be comfortable being contacted by hiring managers?

If possible, request:

• A LinkedIn recommendation
• A written reference letter

Strong internal references matter a lot.

4. Apply strategically, not emotionally

Many interns apply to dozens of vacancies at random.

Instead:

• Target offices you interned with.
• Apply within the same functional area.
• Match your internship outputs to the job description.

If you worked in Monitoring & Evaluation, don’t suddenly apply for Communications Officer.

Alignment increases credibility.

5. Understand eligibility rules

Some UN agencies restrict hiring interns into immediate staff positions within the same office for a cooling-off period.

Always check the agency policy.

For example, UNDP and UNICEF still require formal application through competitive recruitment systems.

Never assume informal conversion.

Strategy to Increase Your Chances as an African

If you’re an African intern aiming to work in Africa, here’s the roadmap:

1. Build local experience after internship

If you can’t secure a UN role immediately:

• Join an NGO
• Work on donor-funded projects
• Take consultancy assignments

Then apply again with stronger field experience.

2. Consider National Officer roles first

Many African candidates overlook NO-A / NO-B roles.

These are often more realistic entry points than from UN internship to P2 international roles.

3. Track vacancies weekly

Set alerts for:

• Country office roles
• Temporary appointments
• Short-term consultancies

Temporary contracts often lead to longer-term engagement.

Realistic Timeline for Transition

Stage	Timeframe
Internship Ends	Month 0
Skill Building	6–18 months
First Competitive Application	6–24 months
Possible Entry at P2 / NO Level	1–3 years

This is realistic. Not overnight.

Common Mistakes That Block Conversion

• Assuming good performance guarantees hiring.
• Leaving without networking.
• Failing to quantify internship achievements.
• Applying outside your functional area.
• Ignoring national-level roles.

Sample Statement for Future Applications

Instead of writing:

“Former UN Intern.”

Write:

“Supported regional programme design within UN Country Office, contributing to development of results frameworks and donor reporting processes across West Africa.”

That sounds staff-ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you want to get UN job after internship, focus on:

• Performance visibility
• Internal networking
• Strong references
• Strategic applications
• Building experience gaps

Internship is exposure. Conversion of UN internship to P2 is strategy.