FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026: International Career Opportunity for Young Professionals
Overview
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) runs the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) to bring highly qualified early-career people into international civil service. It particularly seeks nationals of non-represented and underrepresented FAO member countries, with priority for candidates from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and developing countries more broadly. Participants work in areas linked to FAO's mandate, including food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and sustainable development.
What you get
Young Professional Officers are placed in FAO offices and programmes around the world and work under senior staff supervision. They contribute to identifying, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating FAO activities, with a country, regional, sector or thematic focus depending on the assignment. Contracts are generally two-year fixed-term, with a one-year probationary period. Appointments usually start at P-1, Step 1, moving to P-1, Step 2 in the second year.
Who can apply
Candidates must be 32 or younger as of 31 December of the year of application, and must not be the son, daughter, brother or sister of a FAO staff member.
Requirements
Applicants need an advanced university degree, such as a master's degree, PhD or equivalent, in a field relevant to FAO's work, plus at least one year of relevant professional experience. They must have a working knowledge of English and a limited knowledge of at least one other FAO official language, namely French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian.
How to apply
Candidates look at FAO's vacancies platform and choose opportunities listed under the Young Professionals Programme category. Individual vacancies may have extra requirements. The process is conducted in English.
Key dates
FAO is holding outreach webinars. English sessions take place on 20 August 2026 at 09:00 to 10:00 CET and 16:00 to 17:00 CET. A French session follows on 25 August 2026, an Arabic session on 26 August 2026 and a Chinese session on 27 August 2026.