r/UNpath

Hello everyone!

For the past eight months, I've been publishing a weekly newsletter focused on humanitarian and development data careers, sharing job opportunities and insights from the sector.

Over time, I've realized that there is an opportunity to make it even more useful, particularly for people who want to start a career in the UN or international NGOs, as well as those already in the system who want to grow professionally.

Beyond job opportunities, I'm thinking about the kinds of information that could genuinely help people navigate their careers.

For example:

• Practical advice on getting your first job or internship in the UN system.
• Career progression strategies for professionals already working in UN agencies and NGOs.
• Skills and tools that are actually useful in different roles.
• Upcoming conferences, workshops, learning opportunities, and professional events.
• Insights into recruitment processes and what organizations look for in candidates.

But I'd rather not assume I know what people need.

If you were reading a newsletter dedicated to UN and NGO careers, what would make you look forward to receiving it every week?

What information is difficult to find? What questions do you wish someone with experience in the system would answer? And what career resources do you think are currently missing?

I'd genuinely appreciate your perspectives!

Hello colleagues,

I'm a G6 staff member on a continuing appointment, based in New York, and I recently had a baby. I'm currently on parental leave, which ends at the end of the year. With nanny costs running $60-70K a year, I'm considering staying home with my child for two years and would like to request SLWOP.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been through this:

1. What does the request process look like? Do I speak with my manager first, or is a formal email enough?

2. I work in a small office. How likely is approval, and what factors tend to decide it?

3. Is it better to request the full two years up front, or one year and then renew? Is there a maximum duration?

4. What happens to my health insurance during SLWOP, and what does it cost?

5. How does SLWOP affect my UNJSPF pension contributions and service credit? Is it possible to buy back the time?

6. Do I keep my post or lien, and what are my return rights at the end? If my husband loses his job can I return early?

7. Does SLWOP affect step increments, accrued annual leave, or my continuing appointment status?

8. Are there any alternatives worth considering, like part-time work or flexible arrangements?

9. Is there anything you wish you'd known or done differently?

Any advice or personal experience would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!

I’m debating on whether to pursue my true passion which is PIL or just sticking to a different law job in the Netherlands. I’m now doing a law master which is not focused of PIL, but would like to hear from other people’s experiences with regards to how difficult it is to get a job at OPCW, ICJ, PCA or ICC, with a master’s degree from Leiden as an international student.

I am asking because I want to see if it’s worth it, because I know after that I would still need to do unpaid internships and then try to find a position within one of them, is it hard? I am worried about not being able to find a job or having to do unpaid work and then still not finding a job. Or should I just work for now in another area, save money and then give it a try? Because I am considering that you need financial stability to pursue that dream considering all the unpaid positions/internships you need to do first. I plan to stay in the Netherlands, and visa is not an issue.

Any advice is welcomed!

I just started my new role as a national officer a few weeks ago, and honestly, I feel like I have been doing absolutely everything wrong. I am overthinking every single interaction, every email, and every task.

I’ve spent almost a decade working in government, so that’s pretty much the only professional environment I’ve known. I’m trying to remind myself that I’m new and that nobody can reasonably expect me to understand an entirely different culture and system within a few weeks at the same time it feels like I am expected to have picked things up quite quickly.

For those who have experienced this or something similar:

1. How long did it take you to feel comfortable?
2. What helped you learn the unwritten rules and dealling with imposter syndrome?

In some of the assessments I did 100 percent right from my side yet they didn't call for interview? So is there anyone who scores more than 100 percent? Why UN call for interview even you do all the right? Is there any agency to report such issues?? If anyone please help me.

I’ve been selected for a JPO position in a country where the visa process can take up to five months. My supervisor is going to look into whether it would be possible for me to start remotely while waiting for my visa.

Is this something that can be arranged, or would it go against JPO rules and regulations? Has anyone ever started their JPO remotely while waiting for their visa?

I applied for an Associate Solutions Architecture role without paying much attention to the requirements. The word “Associate” made it sound like a relatively junior position, but the job description requires a Master’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience.
For context, I completed my Bachelor’s in Software Engineering in 2024 and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. I don’t yet meet the stated requirements, but surprisingly, I received an invitation for a one-hour online assessment.
Now I’m wondering whether I should take it or ignore it. Could the invitation mean my application passed an initial screening, or might it be automatic?
Would you take the assessment in my position, or move on because you don’t meet the minimum requirements?

Hello,

ILO usually opens applications for internships twice a year, in April and October, but they didn't open at all in April this year. Does anyone know what is going on? Will they open in October? Is the internship programme cancelled?

Hi everyone,
🌱🌱🌱
I applied for an IOM International P-2 position.
My timeline is:
Applied: July 2026
Interview: September 2026
PAS/referees submitted
Status changed from “Under Consideration” to “Decision in Progress”
After 3+ weeks, email to hr and HR confirmed: “The recruitment process is still underway.
You will be contacted as soon as a decision has been reached.”

Has anyone experienced a similar IOM process?

How long did your “Decision in Progress” stage take before you received the final outcome?

After all what do you think ! Rejection or offer 😎😔
Thanks in advance!
🌱🤍🌱

I've been applying for a variety of those. A month has passed, no news, just a bunch of DoAs hanging there. How do people get there?? Do they send rejections?

How does everyone feel about the new salary increase for GS staff in New York?

I honestly have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I’m very grateful that we got around a 10.4% increase. My net salary went from around $55k to $61k, so it’s definitely a noticeable raise and I’m happy about that.

On the other hand, the cost of living in NYC is still so high. Even with the increase, I still find it difficult at times to make ends meet as a General Service employee, especially with how expensive everything has gotten.

Overall I’m grateful for the increase, but I’m curious how other GS staff in New York feel about it. Do you think the new salary scale is enough considering the current cost of living?

Edit: For those asking for the source, you can find the updated salary scale directly through the UN OneHR Salary Scales page.

UN OneHR – Salary Scales

⁠ https://onehr.un.org/salary-survey/#/salary_scale

Once you’re on the page, select/search for New York to see the updated General Service salary scale.

We also received a broadcast email from the Staff Union today regarding the new salary scale, so it was communicated internally as well.

Hope this helps anyone who was looking for the source.

Hey y'all, I am relatively new to UNV information, and I am trying to navigate a DRR/DAC long-term career path. I understand those are two different things, but to get to the gravy and biscuits...

If you have the time to respond, I would love to know if my profile makes me competitive for UNV positions/ what to target.

BA Urban Studies - Urban Environments and Climate Change

Urban Wildlife Research (ABM)

Minor GIS

Emergency Management and Resilience Planning Grad Certification

EMT-B / NREMT

NGO Leadership and Development History

Next Summer/Year before I apply for UNV positions

Interagency type B fire crew / Red-card

SBP Americorps Disaster Corps Team Lead