How to Become an Aid Worker for the UN

United Nations aid workers perform a variety of tasks in many of the poorest and most dangerous parts of the world. Their duties range from distributing vaccines in southern Africa to building houses in Afghanistan. Aid work involves intensive engagement with foreign communities and exposure to hardship and, often, physical danger. There is no set path to become an aid worker for the UN. In general, it takes years of developing your skill set and volunteering to secure an international position in the field.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Gaining the Right Experience

1
Graduate with bachelors and masters degrees in a related field. Becoming a UN aid worker is a very competitive field. Many qualified people want to have this career, so the more knowledge you have, the better. Start with a bachelor’s degree in an area relevant to aid work, such as nursing, social sciences, or languages.^{[1]XResearch source}
- You may be able to get a job with just a bachelor’s degree, but getting a master’s degree in a relevant field can make you even more desirable. Pursue a field related to the area where you want your aid work to be, such as climate change, human rights, or health services.
2
Volunteer with an aid organization either at home or abroad. The chances of getting a job as an aid worker without any volunteering experience are very slim. Most people volunteer for years before they get their first job. This requires that you work for free, but the more experience you have, the more likely you will land a job.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can try volunteering domestically during your undergrad and graduate programs, and spend holidays and summers volunteering internationally.
- Don't worry about volunteering with the UN at first. Getting experience is the most important thing at this point.
3
Network to meet as many people as possible. Sometimes, getting a job as an aid worker is about who you know. Many administrators want reliable and trustworthy people who can handle the stressful and dangerous conditions. Using volunteering experience and domestic work to build contacts and make good impressions can help you find a job in the future.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Attend lectures and conferences on foreign aid work. Use these opportunities to meet as many people involved in the field as you can. Introduce yourself as an aspiring aid worker.
- Ask mutual friends in the community for introductions or recommendations to others they know.
4
Work in a domestic office. Though your goal may be to work overseas, most aid workers have to work or volunteer in a domestic office before going overseas. This experience can really help you prepare for your future job. Not only do you get related experience for your CV, but you also meet people who can become future contacts.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Sometimes you may be placed in an office outside of your country but not on the frontline. For example, you may end up in a UN office in New York, London, or Paris.
5
Consider online volunteering. If you are in school or working but still want volunteer experience, try online volunteering for relief organizations. Most organizations, including the UN, offer opportunities to volunteer and offer your skills online.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Examples of online volunteering include writing and editing, art and design, translation, research, technology, project development, outreach, and teaching and training.
- These are good ways to get experience in your skill area while volunteering at the relief agency.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Developing Your Skills

1
Focus on your skills. Desirable candidates have skills to offer. Skills can include writing, nutrition, finance, and tech support. These skills help make you desirable for specific jobs and able to fill certain needs.^{[6]XResearch source}
- For example, you may have a degree in finance, but also love working with kids. Getting volunteer experience working with children can give you an additional skill you can use.
2
Study different languages. You may be interacting with people who do not speak English during your work, so being multilingual can help make you more marketable. Many volunteer experiences and jobs suggest a minimum working knowledge of multiple languages, such as English, Spanish, and French.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Choose a specific language and start learning it. You may also try to learn bits of a few different popular languages so you can converse a little in different areas of the world.
- For example, you may want to learn Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, French, or Hindi.
- Take classes through your university, try community classes, or use an online language program. If possible, travel to countries where the languages are spoken so you can work on your conversation skills and get international experience for your CV.
3
Work full-time in your field of expertise as you seek a position. As you try to get a position, work full-time in your area. This experience is important for your future goals. Think about getting a full-time job while volunteering at the domestic office or with other aid agencies.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Professional experience and a demonstrated work ethic are essential for getting a job as an aid worker. Working for a year as a nurse or a teacher will make you a much more attractive candidate for the UN.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding a Job

1
Search for job openings online. After you have your degrees, skills, and experience, you can start looking for a job. Start by looking at the UN website, but make sure to try other international aid job sites too . Thousands of positions are posted online, so that is a great place to start. You can look for all international jobs, or target a specific place to see what is available.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Look for positions marked FS-1, which require the least amount of experience.
- Start with sites like ReliefWeb, Trust.org, and DevNet. These sites will provide UN positions, along with other opportunities from other organizations to help give you experience.
2
Apply for a job for which you are qualified. Finding aid work is slightly different than other jobs. You must make sure you have all the qualifications when you apply for an aid job. In your cover letter, emphasize your professional experience, and honestly describe your skills and experience in your CV.
- For example, if a posting says you have to be fluent in Spanish, don’t apply if you can’t hold a conversation, complete the interview, or work in Spanish. A high school Spanish class isn’t enough. If it says you need experience setting up nutritional programs with youth, that means working with kids at a summer camp isn’t enough.
- Your CV should reflect how your experience aligns with the qualifications.
3
Be patient. Like any career, becoming a professional international aid worker takes time. You have to spend years getting education and experience. You won’t be able to graduate from undergrad and go straight into an overseas job. Often, it takes 10 to 15 years to finally land a job.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Nothing you do is a waste. Every volunteer opportunity, every job at a domestic aid agency, and every community program you work with can help build your CV and help get you towards your goal.
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I’m looking for colleges and universities that have an undergraduate degree in humanitarian aid work and assistance and right now I cannot seem to find any courses. Would you happen to know any?
LibArtsPremed18
Top Answerer
Humanitarian aid tends not to be a field of study available to undergraduates. Because it is such a multidisciplinary topic, the skills needed tend to be across many different majors, and specific coursework is usually done in graduate school. Depending on what part of humanitarian aid you want to focus on, you may want to major in economics, social work, political science, or international relations. Social work would give you the most practical "helping" skills and social policy knowledge, and many graduate programs in social work have international development specialty tracks. The other fields are based more in academic research and theory.
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Is there an age limit to become an aid worker for the UN?
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The minimum age is 25. Many workers are a few years older than this, since holding a Master's degree is encouraged.
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Warnings

International aid work is a risky profession. You may end up in an area plagued by civil war and violence, and often UN aid workers get caught in the crossfire.
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This job is emotionally and mentally taxing. You may interact with victims of horrific acts of violence and listen to stories of trauma, which may wear on you.
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Being an aid worker means you will take jobs in other countries, away from your family and friends. Many of the places won’t have the same modern technologies and conveniences, and the areas will be poverty-striken.
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