FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted at talented, qualified young professionals who are mainly nationals of non or underrepresented members. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.

Under the supervision of a senior staff member, Young Professional Officers work with international and national staff and are involved in the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO activities. Purposes of assignments vary and may have a country-specific, regional, sector-based or thematic focus.

• Table of Content
• About Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)
• FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)
• Aim and Benefits of FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)
• Requirements for FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Their goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. They believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. FAO’s mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world econ..... continue reading

FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

Aim and Benefits of FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

Young Professional Officers are offered two years fixed term contracts subject to a one-year probationary period. They will generally be employed at P-1 step 1 level on initial appointment and will move to P-1 step 2 level for the second year of their assignment.

Requirements for FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Qualification

• Candidates for the YPP are selected on a highly competitive basis. The qualifications below are required for consideration:
• Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application;
• Academic qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s, Ph.D. or equivalent) in a field relevant to the work of FAO;
• A minimum of one year of professional experience in a field relevant to the work of FAO;
• Language skills: Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian);
• Candidates must not bear any of the following relationships to staff members of the Organization: son, daughter, brother or sister.

Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Please visit the list of  YPP opportunities currently available in the Organization (for vacancies, please click the YPP (Young Professionals Programme) link from the banner at the left of the newly opened page).

Kindly note that the application and selection process will be conducted in English.