The United Nations houses the largest number of job vacancies and career opportunities you can ever think of. The competition to get a job with the United Nations is a lot, but it doesn't mean that landing a job with the agency is unachievable if you have the desired experience. Over the years, the United Nations has encouraged Nigerians who have great skills and can deliver quality jobs to apply for positions open within the agency.

However, candidates interested in working with the United Nations will need to be resilient and determined, as the hiring process takes a lot of rigorous screening. While applying for jobs with the UN, it is important to note that there are available job categories for staff. Based on your qualifications and level of expertise, information about these categories can help you decide on the level you're willing to opt for during your employment application process. The categories include:

• Professional and Higher categories
• General Service and related categories
• National Professional officers
• Senior Appointments

Do I have a chance with the UN?

Being an organized system, the UN recognized the necessity to place career paths into 8 variants for mostly entry-level candidates or several other individuals looking to start a new phase with the UN. Do you know what they say about the journey of a thousand miles? It begins in one day. It's possible to kickstart your career journey with the United Nations by filling in for any of the roles below. 

• Regular staff
• Temporary staff
• Young professionals program
• United Nations volunteer
• Intern
• Associate experts
• Consultants 

 The United Nations began its recruitment process for environmental jobs in November. Whether you're going to be a regular staff or a consultant, there are several job opportunities available for Nigerians who are willing to get the job done. Let's see some of them.

Volunteer

Although the recruitment process for volunteers takes 4-12 weeks, the United Nations recruits and attaches volunteers to different tasks across the whole system. To be eligible to work as a UN volunteer, you must be 18 and above, have a passion for volunteering and have an undergraduate degree and years of experience as a volunteer. Volunteering at the United Nations comes with benefits such as an opportunity to grow your career, time and connection with professionals and decent remuneration.  

Humanitarian Affairs Officer

The candidate for this role is expected to have great organizational, teamwork and decision-making skills. The position also requires you to possess a Master's degree or equivalent and a minimum of 4 years of experience in humanitarian affairs, rehabilitation or any other relevant field. Successful candidates will be saddled with the responsibilities to:

• Monitor, analyze and give a comprehensive report on management programs and emergencies within the district or area.
• Analyze and assist in presenting new technologies for management 
• Supervise work and give out assignments to team members.
• Initiate activities, and formulate and review project proposals before it gets to the government.

The responsibilities are a lot, so the agency suggests that you apply only if you're certain you can get the work done. 

Engineering Analyst

The United Nations currently has 2 slot openings for candidates looking to fill the role of an engineering analyst. Candidates for the role are required to possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and should be registered with COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria). While you're planning to work with the UN as an engineering analyst, check to see if you tick the following boxes.

• Engage and partner
• Continuous learning
• Goal getter
• Creative thinker
• Business management
• Business plan and strategy 

The UN has also made it clear that successful applicants may be subjected to United Nations Development Programme Policy on probation upon assignment.

Financial Analyst 

Financial analysts engage in various activities that can help an organization manage risk. The agency has highlighted several duties required of any intending UN financial analyst and they include:

• Implementing financial strategies in full compliance with the United Nations rules and regulations.
• Providing financial support to the operations team.
• Facilitating knowledge building.
• Providing administrative support to resource mobilization.

Considering the large competition, it's best to have the required skills and experience that can make you stand out among other candidates as a financial analyst. UN says it will consider candidates with:

• Master's degree in finance or accounting
• Special certification in finance or accounting
• Fluency in the English language
• Successful completion of the UNDP advanced accounting and finance test.
• Great knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Business Support Assistant - Human Resource

The UN has a program that helps alleviate hunger among women and children; therefore, they need hands to help save and change lives. Business support assistants will provide support activities to the human resources team to establish a perfect delivery service. If you intend to work with the UN as a business support assistant and you're wondering what's in it for you, here are a few benefits:

• Interesting work environment
• Training and learning on the job
• Meaningful network
• The opportunity to explore the human resource role and unlock countless possibilities

Candidates with a first degree in business administration or finance and 2 or more years of experience in general administrative work are considered a good fit for the role. Also, the job requires that you know your way around computer software packages. A business support assistant will be accountable to the UN in the following ways:

•  Maintenance of office files, documents and records in line with the established system.
• Take on standard data entry tasks.
• Make a research on the required information for beneficiaries using online and offline resources.

In conclusion

 An opportunity to work with the United Nations is a big deal, and it means that you're working with one of the most reputable organizations in the world. However, if you are unfamiliar with the system and do not have the required skill set, it can be quite challenging to land a job with the agency. Job opportunities can help you jump-start your career if you are determined and patient enough to walk through the recruitment process. You have a chance with the UN and landing a job is possible. 

United Nations Jobs in Nigeria | Apply Now

Finance Associate – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

To apply for other related United Nations job, CLICK HERE