The UNDP Graduate Programme offers a structured pathway for talented young graduates to begin careers in international development. The initiative provides hands-on professional experience within United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offices around the world.

Launched in 2021, the programme was created to strengthen the organisation’s workforce diversity, build institutional capacity, and develop a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participants are deployed to UNDP country offices, regional hubs, or headquarters, gaining exposure to development projects, policy design, and operational management across different regions.

Programme Overview

The UNDP Graduate Programme is designed as an entry-level career pathway for young professionals from UNDP programme countries who want to work in international development.

Key objectives include:

• Building a diverse global talent pipeline
• Strengthening UNDP’s organisational capacity
• Providing graduates with practical experience in development policy and programmes
• Supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Since its launch, the programme has attracted strong global interest.

Programme Application Statistics

Successful graduates from these cohorts have been deployed across a range of international duty stations.

Duty Stations Where Graduates Have Been Deployed

Graduates have worked in UNDP offices across multiple regions, including:

• New York City (UNDP Headquarters)
• Turkey
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Mongolia
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Laos
• Papua New Guinea
• Timor-Leste
• Solomon Islands
• Micronesia
• Jamaica
• Switzerland
• Samoa
• Trinidad and Tobago

These placements provide participants with first-hand experience working in diverse development contexts.

Who Can Apply

The UNDP Graduate Programme is open to young professionals from UNDP programme countries, including Nigeria and other developing economies.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Academic Requirements

Applicants must have either:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field with no more than 1 year of work experience, or
• A Bachelor’s degree with 2–3 years of relevant professional experience

Relevant fields may include:

• Economics
• Public policy
• International relations
• Development studies
• Data science
• Environmental studies
• Governance and public administration

Additional Requirements

Candidates must also:

• Demonstrate a strong interest in international development
• Show commitment to accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals
• Possess systems thinking, innovation, or digital skills
• Be willing to relocate internationally for a two-year assignment

Language Skills

Applicants must have:

• Fluency in English (spoken and written)
• Knowledge of French, Arabic, or Spanish may be an advantage depending on assignment location.

Diversity Encouraged

UNDP strongly encourages applications from:

• Women
• Minority groups
• Indigenous communities
• Persons with disabilities
• First-generation university graduates

Programme Structure

Selected graduates are deployed on a two-year international assignment within UNDP.

Assignments are typically in two streams:

1. Programme and Policy

Participants work on:

• Development programmes
• Policy research
• SDG implementation projects
• Monitoring and evaluation initiatives

2. Corporate Operations

Participants support organisational functions such as:

• Programme management
• Finance and administration
• Institutional policy development
• Strategic oversight

Learning and Career Development

Participants in the UNDP Graduate Programme undergo a customised Formation Journey, a professional learning pathway designed to build leadership and technical capabilities.

The programme offers:

• Mentorship from senior development professionals
• Exposure to multilateral development cooperation
• Real-world experience in international policy and programme implementation
• Networking across the United Nations development system

For many participants, the programme serves as a gateway to long-term careers in international development institutions.

Next Recruitment Campaign

UNDP has indicated that the next recruitment campaign is currently under consideration, with further details expected to be announced soon.

Interested candidates are encouraged to monitor official UNDP channels for updates on the next application window.