United Nations agencies have a large presence in Pakistan, working on development, health, education, food security, refugees and disaster response. UN jobs are competitive but open to qualified Pakistanis at several levels. This guide explains the types of positions and how the application process works.
UN agencies working in Pakistan
Several UN agencies and programmes have offices in Pakistan, including UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, WHO, UNFPA, FAO, ILO, UN Women and UNODC, among others. Each agency recruits for its own projects and posts vacancies on its own careers page.
Types of UN positions
- National Officer (NO) positions: professional roles filled by Pakistani nationals, usually requiring a master’s degree and relevant experience.
- General Service (GS) positions: support roles such as administration, finance, logistics, drivers and assistants, filled locally.
- International Professional (P) positions: open to candidates of many nationalities, usually for service outside your home country.
- Consultancies and individual contracts: short-term assignments for specific tasks.
- UN Volunteers and internships: a good entry point for young graduates.
Where to find UN vacancies
- The careers pages of individual UN agencies.
- The UN Secretariat’s official careers portal.
- The UN Volunteers website for volunteer assignments.
Be careful: scammers sometimes send fake “UN job offers” asking for visa or processing fees. The UN does not charge fees at any stage of recruitment. Read our guide on job scams in Pakistan.
Common requirements
- Relevant degree (often a master’s for officer-level roles).
- Years of relevant work experience, sometimes with an NGO or international organisation.
- Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of local languages is often an asset.
- Specific technical skills mentioned in the vacancy.
How to write a strong UN application
- Read the vacancy and match each requirement with specific examples from your experience.
- Use numbers: number of beneficiaries reached, budget managed, projects completed.
- Complete every section of the online profile carefully; incomplete profiles are often screened out.
- Keep your CV clear and well organised. See how to write a CV.
Tests and competency-based interviews
Shortlisted candidates may take a written test or assessment, followed by a competency-based interview. Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for competencies such as teamwork, communication, planning and integrity. Our interview guide explains STAR answers.
Building experience if you are just starting
Many people enter the UN system after working with NGOs, government projects or donor-funded programmes. Internships, volunteer roles and short consultancies also build relevant experience. Keep an updated LinkedIn profile and network with professionals in your field.