The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Young Professionals Programme (YPP) offers talented young professionals an opportunity to begin an international civil service career with FAO. The competitive programme targets qualified candidates, particularly nationals of non- or underrepresented members, with priority consideration for applicants from developing countries, Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries.
FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting talented and qualified young professionals to explore opportunities through its Young Professionals Programme (YPP).
The programme is designed to recruit promising young professionals who want to develop a career as international civil servants with FAO. According to FAO, the programme mainly targets nationals of non- or underrepresented members, with priority consideration given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general.
Successful Young Professional Officers work under the supervision of senior staff and contribute to FAO activities at different stages, including identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Background & Programme Description
The FAO Young Professionals Programme provides an entry route into international public service for qualified young professionals whose academic and professional backgrounds are relevant to FAO’s work.
Assignments can vary considerably. Depending on the position, a Young Professional Officer may work on activities with a country-specific, regional, sector-based or thematic focus.
Participants work alongside international and national staff, gaining exposure to FAO’s programmes and activities while contributing to the organization’s work.
FAO states that Young Professional Officers receive two-year fixed-term contracts, subject to a one-year probationary period. Initial appointments are generally made at P-1 step 1, with movement to P-1 step 2 during the second year of the assignment.
What Young Professional Officers Do
The specific responsibilities depend on the vacancy and assignment. However, FAO indicates that Young Professional Officers can participate in several stages of programme and project work.
Their activities may include:
- Identifying FAO activities and priorities.
- Supporting programme and project design.
- Contributing to implementation.
- Monitoring activities and results.
- Supporting evaluation processes.
- Working with international and national colleagues.
- Contributing to country-specific initiatives.
- Supporting regional or sector-based programmes.
- Working on thematic areas relevant to FAO.
This structure allows successful candidates to develop experience within an international organization while contributing to FAO’s mandate.
Eligibility Requirements
The FAO YPP is highly competitive, and candidates must meet the programme’s stated requirements.
Age Requirement
Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.
Applicants should therefore check their age against the relevant application year before applying.
Academic Qualifications
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, such as a:
- Master’s degree
- PhD
- Equivalent advanced qualification
The degree must be in a field relevant to the work of FAO.
Professional Experience
Applicants are required to have a minimum of one year of professional experience in a field relevant to FAO’s work.
This means candidates should demonstrate that their previous professional experience aligns with the responsibilities and subject areas associated with the vacancy.
Language Requirements
Candidates should have a working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language.
FAO’s other official languages are:
- French
- Spanish
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Russian
Language skills can therefore be an important part of preparing a YPP application.
Family Relationship Requirement
Candidates must not have certain specified family relationships with FAO staff members.
According to the programme requirements, candidates must not be the son, daughter, brother or sister of a staff member of the Organization.
Contract and Career Opportunity
Successful candidates are offered two-year fixed-term contracts, subject to a one-year probationary period.
Young Professional Officers will generally be appointed at P-1 step 1 initially and move to P-1 step 2 for the second year of their assignment.
The programme therefore provides an opportunity for qualified young professionals to gain experience within the international civil service while working on FAO activities.
Priority Consideration
FAO states that priority consideration will be given to candidates from several groups of countries, including:
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
- Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
- Developing countries generally
The programme also seeks candidates who are nationals of non- or underrepresented members.
Applicants should carefully review the specific vacancy because eligibility and selection requirements can vary according to the available YPP opportunity.
FAO YPP Vacancies and Application Process
Candidates interested in the programme should review the currently available YPP opportunities published by FAO.
FAO advises applicants to access the available vacancies and select the YPP (Young Professionals Programme) opportunities from the relevant vacancy listings.
The application and selection process is conducted in English.
Because YPP recruitment is highly competitive, prospective applicants should carefully review each vacancy and ensure that their academic qualifications, professional experience and language skills correspond to the requirements.
FAO Employment and Young Talent Programmes
FAO YPP Outreach Webinars 2026
FAO is also organizing outreach webinars to help prospective applicants understand the Young Professionals Programme, application process and selection procedures.
The sessions are intended to provide an overview of the programme and allow participants to ask questions during interactive sessions with FAO representatives.
English Sessions
20 August 2026
- 09:00–10:00 CET (Rome time)
- 16:00–17:00 CET (Rome time)
French Session
25 August 2026
- 14:00–15:00 CET (Rome time)
Arabic Session
26 August 2026
- 14:00–15:00 CET (Rome time)
Chinese Session
27 August 2026
- 10:00–11:00 CET (Rome time)
FAO states that the webinars have the same scope and content and are designed for people interested in learning more about the YPP and current vacancies.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The FAO Young Professionals Programme may be particularly relevant to young professionals who have:
- An advanced degree relevant to FAO’s work.
- At least one year of relevant professional experience.
- Strong English-language skills.
- Knowledge of another FAO official language.
- An interest in international development.
- An interest in food and agriculture-related development issues.
- The ambition to pursue an international civil service career.
Candidates should also be prepared for a highly competitive selection process.
Important Application Advice
Before applying, candidates should carefully compare their qualifications with the requirements listed in the specific YPP vacancy.
A strong application should clearly demonstrate the connection between the applicant’s academic background, professional experience and the responsibilities of the position.
Applicants should also pay close attention to the language requirements and nationality considerations because the programme specifically focuses on non- or underrepresented members and gives priority consideration to particular country groups.
Final Thoughts
The FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026 represents an opportunity for qualified young professionals to begin a career in international civil service and contribute to FAO activities around the world.
The programme targets candidates aged 32 or younger, requires an advanced university degree and at least one year of relevant professional experience, and expects working knowledge of English alongside limited knowledge of another FAO official language.
Successful Young Professional Officers generally receive two-year fixed-term contracts and work under senior staff on activities covering identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Candidates interested in the programme should regularly check FAO’s official employment portal for available YPP vacancies and consider attending one of the upcoming August 2026 outreach webinars to learn more about the programme and application process.
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