FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Applications are open for the FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026, a recruitment program offered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for talented young professionals who want to begin a career in international development and the United Nations system. Unlike a short-term conference or scholarship, the FAO Young Professionals Programme provides selected candidates with a two-year fixed-term employment contract. Young Professional Officers normally begin at P-1 Step 1 and move to P-1 Step 2 during their second year.

The 2026 vacancies were posted in August and cover several professional areas, including economics, finance, communication, climate change, food and nutrition, programme support, aquatic value chains, and food loss and waste. Current YPP vacancies close on 7 September 2026.

Key Details About FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026

• Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Program: Young Professionals Programme
• Contract: Two-year fixed-term appointment
• Starting Level: P-1 Step 1
• Deadline: 7 September 2026

What is the FAO Young Professionals Programme?

The FAO Young Professionals Programme, commonly known as FAO YPP, is a recruitment initiative designed to bring talented young professionals into FAO and provide them with an opportunity to begin a career as international civil servants.

The program particularly targets qualified candidates from non-represented and under-represented FAO Member Nations. Priority consideration is also given to candidates from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and developing countries generally.

Young Professional Officers work under the supervision of senior FAO staff and may contribute to:

• Project identification
• Programme design
• Project implementation
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Research and analysis
• Policy support
• Technical programmes
• International development activities

Assignments may have country, regional, sectoral, or thematic responsibilities depending on the position.

Benefits of FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026

Selected Young Professional Officers may receive:

• Competitive FAO salary
• Two-year employment contract
• P-1 professional grade
• Post adjustment allowance
• Relocation travel support
• Assignment assistance
• Health insurance
• Paid annual leave
• Pension and social security benefits
• Possible family allowances
• Possible education grant
• Possible rental subsidy
• International work experience

Benefits depend on the contract, duty station, family status, and applicable FAO staff rules.

Salary and Contract

1. Selected candidates are generally appointed at P-1 Step 1 during their first year.
2. They normally progress to P-1 Step 2 for the second year.
3. The appointment is a two-year fixed-term contract, subject to a one-year probationary period.
4. FAO professional salaries can also include a post adjustment based on the cost of living at the assigned duty station.

Travel and Relocation Benefits

Internationally recruited FAO staff may receive travel support from their place of recruitment to their assigned duty station. Depending on eligibility and contract conditions, FAO may also provide:

• Travel expenses
• Relocation assistance
• Assignment grant
• Removal expenses
• Rental subsidy
• Repatriation assistance

Who Can Apply?

Candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be 32 years old or younger as of 31 December 2026
• Hold an advanced university degree
• Have at least one year of relevant professional experience
• Have a working knowledge of English
• Have limited knowledge of another FAO official language
• Meet the requirements of the specific vacancy
• Not be the son, daughter, brother, or sister of an FAO staff member

Educational Requirement

Applicants must hold an advanced university degree, such as:

• Master’s degree
• PhD
• Equivalent advanced qualification

The degree must be in a subject relevant to the FAO position for which the applicant is applying.

Professional Experience Requirement

Applicants need at least one year of professional experience in a field relevant to FAO’s work. Individual Young Professional Officer vacancies may specify more detailed technical experience relevant to the position.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Working knowledge of English
• Limited knowledge of another FAO official language

Other FAO official languages include:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Russian
• Spanish

The entire YPP application and selection process is conducted in English.

Nationality Requirements

The FAO YPP mainly targets candidates from non-represented and under-represented FAO Member Nations.

As of 1 August 2026, FAO’s official list includes non-represented Member Nations such as Angola, Botswana, Chad, Estonia, Liberia, Montenegro, Qatar, Singapore, Somalia, Seychelles and several Small Island States.

Countries currently classified as under-represented include:

• Belgium
• China
• Germany
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Israel
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Poland
• Republic of Korea
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Sweden
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

Applicants should check the official FAO list because representation status can change.

FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026 Vacancies

Current 2026 Young Professional Officer opportunities include positions related to:

• Communication and Outreach
• Programme Support
• Aquatic Value Chain
• Small Island Developing States
• Food Loss and Waste
• Economics
• School Food and Nutrition
• Finance
• Climate Change and Natural Resources Management

The positions were posted in August 2026 and currently show a closing date of 7 September 2026.

Required Documents and Application Information

Applicants should also provide accurate information about their:

• Education
• Professional experience
• Language skills
• Employment history
• Personal details
• Relevant technical skills

How to Apply for FAO Young Professionals Programme 2026

Applications must be submitted through the official FAO Careers Portal. FAO does not consider applications submitted through unofficial channels.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official FAO employment website.
2. Open the Young Professionals Programme page.
3. View the available YPP vacancies.
4. Choose a position matching your qualifications.
5. Create an FAO candidate profile.
6. Complete your education and employment information.
7. Attach your motivation letter.
8. Complete all vacancy-specific questions.
9. Review your application carefully.
10. Submit it before the vacancy deadline.

First-time applicants must create a candidate profile before applying. Existing candidates can sign in to their FAO account and apply directly for available positions.

APPLY NOW FOR THE FAO YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM