A strong UN CV is clear, factual and built around results.
The UN Secretariat lists its jobs on the UN Careers Portal, and most applicants complete an online profile there, so your CV works best as a master document that you tailor and copy from.
AdvertisementUse the builder below to draft a UN-style CV: choose your career stage and focus, tap the skills you really have, then edit the text and print or copy it.
Free UN CV Builder
Step 1. Where are you in your career?
Step 2. What is your focus?
Step 3. Tap the skills you really have. They appear in your CV.
Step 4. Click any text in the CV to edit it.
Replace every [bracket] with your real details, and use numbers wherever you can. Check the vacancy announcement for what it asks you to submit.
[SURNAME, First name]
[City, Country] | [Email] | [Phone] | Nationality: [Country]
Profile
Early-career professional with a Master’s degree in [Field] and [length] of programme experience through [internship, volunteer or junior role]. Strong in coordinating activities, tracking results and writing clear reports. Committed to the UN’s core values of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Early-career researcher and analyst with a Master’s degree in [Field] and [length] of experience in policy research and report writing. Skilled at turning data into clear recommendations. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Early-career professional with a degree in [Field] and [length] of experience in administration, finance or logistics. Accurate, organized and reliable in supporting teams in international settings. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Programme professional with [number] years of experience managing projects in [sector] across [countries or regions]. Delivered [result, such as programmes on time and within a budget of USD X]. Strong in stakeholder engagement and teamwork. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Policy and research professional with [number] years of experience in [field], including [publications, analyses or reports]. Skilled at evidence-based analysis and clear writing for decision makers. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Operations professional with [number] years of experience in [finance, HR, procurement or logistics] in international organizations. Delivered [result, such as audits passed or processes improved]. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Senior programme manager with [number] years of experience leading teams and programmes of USD [amount] in [sector] across [regions]. Proven record of building partnerships and delivering results under pressure. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Senior policy adviser with [number] years of experience leading research and analysis in [field], advising [ministries, agencies or leaders]. Recognized for clear, evidence-based recommendations. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.Senior operations leader with [number] years of experience managing [finance, HR, procurement or logistics] for teams of [number] in international settings. Delivered [result]. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
Education
[Master’s degree], [Field], [University], [Country] | [Year]
[Bachelor’s degree], [Field], [University], [Country] | [Year]
Professional Experience
[Job Title] | [Organization] | [City, Country] | [Month Year] to [present]
- Coordinated [number] project activities in [country], tracking progress against the workplan and reporting results to [donor or manager]
- Managed a budget of USD [amount] and kept spending within [percent] of plan
- Engaged [number] partners and community groups, increasing [result] by [percent]
- Drafted [number] project reports and briefings for senior staff
- Collected and analyzed [type of data] from [number] sources to assess [topic]
- Wrote [number] research reports and briefs that informed [decision or policy]
- Presented findings to [audience], leading to [result]
- Developed a data dashboard used by [number] staff
- Processed [number] transactions or purchases a month with [percent] accuracy
- Improved [process], reducing turnaround from [time] to [time]
- Supported [number] staff and [number] offices with administrative services
- Prepared audits and reports that met organizational standards
[Previous Job Title] | [Organization] | [City, Country] | [Month Year] to [Month Year]
- [Achievement with a number and result]
- [Achievement with a number and result]
[Earlier Job Title, including any UN service] | [Organization] | [City, Country] | [Month Year] to [Month Year]
- [Leadership achievement, including team size and budget]
- [Achievement with a number and result]
[Internship or volunteer role] | [Organization] | [City, Country] | [Month Year] to [Month Year]
- [What you did and the result]
- [What you learned or delivered]
Skills
- Project and programme management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Policy analysis
- Research and report writing
- Stakeholder engagement
- Budget management and finance
- Data analysis and visualization
- Training and capacity building
- Procurement and logistics
- Multilingual communication
- Gender and inclusion
- Partnership building
Languages
English: [level for reading, writing, speaking and understanding]
French: [level]
[Other language]: [level]
To save: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the CV prints. To copy part of it, select the text and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
How UN Job Applications Work
- Where to look: the UN Secretariat’s HR pages say you can find all Secretariat openings on the Careers Portal at careers.un.org, available in English and French.
- Which system: vacancies may sit in either of two HR systems, Inspira or Galaxy, which run in parallel during a transition. The portal sends you to the correct one when you apply.
- Your profile: a university careers guide notes that all applicants must submit a personal history profile, so keep your CV details ready to enter.
- Other agencies: each UN organization runs its own site and system, so check the instructions for the one you are applying to.
- After you apply: the same guide advises saving a PDF of your application and the vacancy notice, and notes you may not be notified if you are not shortlisted, so check your status online.
UN CV Template and Format
There is no single template that every UN organization requires, so check each vacancy. A clear, reverse chronological CV with these sections gives you everything you need to complete an application.
| CV section | What to include | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Name and contact | Surname, first name, city and country, email, phone, nationality | Use a professional email address |
| Profile | Two to four sentences: field, years of experience, scale of work, one key result | Mirror the vacancy’s language where true |
| Education | Degrees in reverse chronological order, with institution, country and year | Add relevant certifications |
| Professional experience | Title, organization, city and country, month and year; then results with numbers | Include prior UN service and relevant internships |
| Skills | Six to ten skills that match the vacancy | Only list skills you can discuss |
| Languages | Level in reading, writing, speaking and understanding for each language | Include French if you have it |
| Publications or other | Only relevant publications, awards or training | Keep it selective |
Sample UN CV
This sample is fictional. Replace every detail with your own true information.
CARTER, Emily
Washington, DC, USA | emily.carter@email.com | +1 (555) 010-0123 | Nationality: American (United States)
PROFILE
Programme officer with seven years of experience managing education and livelihoods projects in East Africa and Latin America from the United States. Managed programmes of up to USD 2.4 million and led teams of eight. Strong in stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and clear reporting. Committed to integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
EDUCATION
Master of Public Policy, University of [Name], USA | 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of [Name], USA | 2015
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Programme Officer | [International NGO] | Washington, DC, USA | March 2021 to present
- Manage a USD 2.4 million education programme reaching 18,000 learners in Kenya and Uganda through local partners
- Lead a team of eight across Washington and two field offices, coordinating with six government and community partners
- Introduced a monitoring dashboard that cut reporting time from ten days to three
Project Coordinator | [Organization] | New York, NY, USA | June 2018 to February 2021
- Coordinated 12 livelihoods training workshops for 600 participants in Guatemala and Honduras
- Prepared quarterly donor reports that were accepted without revision
Intern, Research Unit | [Organization] | New York, NY, USA | January to June 2018
- Analyzed survey data from 1,200 households and wrote two policy briefs
SKILLS
Programme management; monitoring and evaluation; stakeholder engagement; budget management; report writing; data analysis
LANGUAGES
English: native (reading, writing, speaking and understanding)
Spanish: fluent in reading, writing, speaking and understanding
French: basic in reading and speaking
UN Core Values and Competencies
A careers guide on UN hiring notes that the UN looks for core competencies that align with its core values, and that interviews are competency-based. Vacancy announcements list the ones that matter for each role. Use this table to show them through results.
| Value or competency | How to show it on your CV |
|---|---|
| Integrity | Honest, accurate dates and facts, and examples of ethical decisions |
| Professionalism | Results delivered, certifications and commitment to quality |
| Respect for diversity | Work with multicultural teams, languages, inclusion projects |
| Communication | Reports, briefings, presentations and training you delivered |
| Teamwork | Projects you completed with others, and your role |
| Planning and organizing | Workplans, budgets, timelines met and priorities managed |
| Accountability | Results you owned, with numbers |
| Creativity | New tools, processes or ideas you introduced |
| Client orientation | How you served beneficiaries, partners or colleagues |
| Continuous learning | Training, certifications and new skills you acquired |
| Technological awareness | Software, data and digital tools you use well |
How to Tailor Your CV to a UN Vacancy
- Read the vacancy carefully. Note the key tasks, required experience and competencies.
- Match your language. Use the same terms where they are true, such as monitoring and evaluation or stakeholder engagement.
- Lead with relevant results. Put the most relevant roles and achievements first, with numbers.
- Include internships and volunteering, as the careers guide advises, especially if you are early in your career.
- Write a motivation statement if asked. Explain why this role and this organization.
- Check your dates, titles and spellings. Applications can be verified, so be exact.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing duties instead of results. Add numbers, such as budget, team size or people reached.
- Including unneeded personal data such as a photo, marital status or salary history. Share personal data only where the application asks for it.
- A generic CV for every job. Tailor it to the vacancy.
- Vague language levels. State reading, writing, speaking and understanding.
- Gaps and unclear dates. Use month and year for every role.
- Applying at the last minute. Apply well before the deadline and keep a PDF copy.
- Typos. Our free proofreading service can help.
UN CV Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your CV is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one official UN CV format?
<
p style=”margin:0 0 14px 0″>Not one that fits every UN job. The UN Secretariat lists all its vacancies on the Careers Portal at careers.un.org, and applicants complete an online profile there. Other UN organizations run their own application sites. Read each vacancy announcement for what to submit, and keep a clear chronological CV as your master document.
Do I need to upload a CV to apply to the UN?
It depends on the organization and the vacancy. Many UN applications are completed in online forms, so your CV is the source you copy from rather than a file you attach. Follow the instructions in the vacancy announcement.
What is the UN Careers Portal?
It is the website where all UN Secretariat job openings are posted. The portal is available in English and French. The Secretariat’s HR pages say vacancies may sit in either of two HR systems, Inspira or Galaxy, which run in parallel during a transition, and the portal sends you to the correct one when you apply.
Should I include internships and volunteer work?
Yes, especially early in your career. A university careers guide on UN applications advises including internships, volunteer work and part-time jobs in your work experience.
Do I need a cover letter or motivation statement?
Many organizations ask for one. Focus on what draws you to the role and the organization, and how it fits your career goals, instead of general self-praise. See our sample cover letter for UN jobs.
Should I include a photo, date of birth, marital status or salary?
Only if the vacancy or application form asks for it. A CV does not need a photo or marital status, and salary history is not needed unless requested. The online profile has its own fields for any personal data it requires.
How should I show language skills?
State your level in each of the four skills: reading, writing, speaking and understanding. A careers guide on UN applications advises indicating fluency in all four if you are fluent in English. English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat, so list French if you have it.
How are UN interviews run?
They are competency-based, also called behavioral interviews. Prepare real examples of teamwork, communication, planning and organizing, and accountability, with the situation, what you did and the result.
What is the Young Professionals Programme?
It is a UN recruitment track for early-career candidates. A university careers guide notes that it requires a bachelor’s degree and includes an entrance exam held once a year. Check the UN careers site for current eligibility and dates.
Related Reading
- Sample cover letter for UN jobs
- UNDP CV and resume format, sample and writing guide
- UN internship cover letter examples
- UNICEF cover letter template and sample
- The best resume templates
Sources: UN Secretariat Human Resources, Which website do I use to see all vacancies?; Tufts Career Center, International employer series: UN Secretariat (a university guide, not an official UN source). Always follow the instructions in the vacancy announcement. The sample CV is fictional.
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I read your contents and find them very interesting and informative. But I have one question. I often apply through Inspira and we are required to type in the motivational statement which is like cover letter. Should we still put the heading like Name, Address, Email, Telephone etc.? I have been wondering for long. Thank you.
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As per UN official website, there is no photo requirement for your resume or CV.
https://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/guidenew.htm
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Hi please help me also to get a job with UN in order to support my family. Thanks
Hi Daphine Adwogo:
Getting a job with the United Nations (UN) can be a substantial step. Here are a few quick tips to help you begin the process:
Understand the UN system: Familiarize yourself with the various agencies, funds, and programs that make up the UN and decide where your skills and experience might be the best fit.
Tailor your CV/Resume: Use the UN CV or Resume Format to highlight your skills, experiences, and educational background in a manner that aligns with the UN’s values and job requirements.
Networking: Connect with current and former UN staff on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and advice. Networking can sometimes lead to job opportunities.
UN Careers Website: Regularly check the official UN Careers website for job openings that match your profile and apply as per their guidelines.
Be Persistent: The recruitment process in such international organizations can be highly competitive and lengthy, so persistence and patience are key.
Best of luck with your job search!