FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026
FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026: Paid Opportunities for Young Professionals Worldwide
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications from qualified young professionals for its 2026 Young Professionals Programme (YPP), providing an opportunity to begin a professional career with the United Nations system and contribute to global efforts in food, agriculture, nutrition, natural resources, and sustainable development.
The programme is designed to attract talented and qualified young professionals, with particular attention to nationals of non- and under-represented FAO Member Nations. Priority consideration is given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and developing countries in general. (jobs.fao.org)
Programme Details
Programme: FAO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)
Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Grade: Generally P-1 for Young Professional Officer positions
Contract: Two-year fixed-term appointment, subject to applicable conditions
Eligibility: Young professionals meeting the programme requirements
Age Limit: 32 years or younger as of 31 December of the year of application
Deadline: 7th September 2026 for the current advertised YPP positions
Current 2026 YPP opportunities include roles in areas such as economics, finance, food loss and waste, aquatic value chains, school food and nutrition, communication and outreach, and other FAO priority areas. Several of these vacancies are currently listed with a 7 September 2026 closing date. (jobs.fao.org)
About the Programme
Young Professional Officers work under the supervision of senior FAO staff and collaborate with international and national colleagues. Their assignments may involve the identification, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of FAO activities.
Depending on the specific position, assignments may have a country-specific, regional, sectoral, or thematic focus.
The programme provides young professionals with an opportunity to gain experience working in a multicultural international organization while contributing to FAO’s work toward sustainable food systems, agricultural development, food security, nutrition, and improved livelihoods.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
- Be 32 years old or younger as of 31 December 2026.
- Hold an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent, in a field relevant to FAO’s work.
- Have at least one year of relevant professional experience.
- Possess working knowledge of one FAO official language and limited knowledge of another, depending on the applicable requirements.
- Meet the specific academic, professional, technical, and competency requirements stated in the individual vacancy announcement.
- Applicants must not be the son, daughter, brother, or sister of an FAO staff member, subject to the applicable rules. (FAOHome)
Candidates should carefully check the requirements of the specific Young Professional Officer position before applying, as individual vacancies may have additional qualifications and technical requirements.
Contract and Career Development
Successful candidates are recruited as Young Professional Officers and generally receive a two-year fixed-term appointment, subject to the applicable probationary and employment conditions. Current FAO vacancy announcements list these positions at the P-1 professional level. (jobs.fao.org)
FAO also provides opportunities for staff learning and professional development, allowing employees to strengthen their technical, professional, and organizational capabilities.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is particularly suitable for young professionals who have an advanced academic background and relevant professional experience and are interested in building an international career in areas connected to:
- Food and agriculture
- Economics and finance
- Food security and nutrition
- Environmental and natural resource management
- Sustainable development
- Agricultural value chains
- Communication and outreach
- Research and policy
- International development
Qualified women, nationals of non- and under-represented Member Nations, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. (jobs.fao.org)
How to Apply
Applicants should apply through the official FAO career portal. FAO states that only applications submitted through its career portal will be considered, and incomplete applications will not be considered. (FAOHome)
Applicants should first create a candidate profile if they are new to the FAO recruitment system. Existing users can log in, access available vacancies, and submit applications for positions matching their qualifications.
Official FAO Careers/Application Portal: Apply through FAO Careers
FAO Application Instructions: How to Apply – FAO Employment
Application Deadline
13th September 2026
This programme represents an opportunity for qualified young professionals to gain international experience, develop their careers, and contribute to FAO’s global mission of building a more sustainable and food-secure future.
Available Programmes for FAO Young Professionals Program
The FAO Young Professionals Program is open to candidates pursuing the following programmes;
- Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste) (2601699) – Thailand-Bangkok
- Young Professional Officer (Aquatic Value Chain) (2601689) – Italy-Rome
- Young Professional Officer (Economist) (2601700) – Italy-Rome
- Young Professional Officer (Communication And Outreach) (2601606) – Italy-Rome
- Young Professional Officer (Programme Support) (2601686) – Austria-Vienna
- Young Professional Officer (Small Island Developing States – SIDS) (2601691) – Switzerland-Geneva
- Young Professional Officer (School Food and Nutrition) (2601701) – Italy-Rome
- Young Professional Officer (Finance) (2601703) – Italy-Rome
- Young Professional Officer (Climate Change and Natural Resources Management) (2601710) – Nepal-Kathmandu
