UN job application glossary

Updated June 2026 · Competably

Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when applying for UN and international-organization jobs, from the P11 and PHP to competency-based interviews and rosters.

P11

The Personal History form, a standardized UN application form covering your identity, education, employment history, language skills and references. Some UN entities still use it as a downloadable document you complete and upload.

PHP (Personal History Profile)

The same personal-history information as the P11, but completed online inside a recruitment system rather than as a separate file. The UN Secretariat uses the PHP within Inspira.

Inspira

The UN Secretariat's online recruitment platform (careers.un.org), where you build a profile, search vacancies and apply. Many agencies and funds run their own separate portals instead of Inspira.

Competency-based interview (CBI)

A structured interview that asks for real past examples to assess the competencies listed in a job opening, on the principle that past behaviour predicts future performance.

STAR method

An answer structure for competency questions: Situation, Task, Action, Result. You set brief context, state your task, focus on the actions you personally took, and finish with a measurable result.

Competency framework

The set of values and competencies a vacancy assesses. UN vacancies still list the established framework (values such as Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, plus competencies like Communication, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing and Accountability).

UN Values and Behaviours Framework

A framework introduced by the UN (values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility, Humanity; behaviours including Connect and Collaborate, Deliver Results, Learn and Develop, Adapt and Innovate) that builds on the older competencies and is being woven into HR processes.

Motivation statement / cover letter

The written 'why are you suitable for this position' content an application asks for, where you map your experience to the vacancy's requirements and competencies. Length and character limits vary by form.

Duty station

The official location where a post is based. It affects entitlements and whether a role is family or non-family, and some duty stations are classified as hardship locations.

Roster

A pre-approved pool of candidates who passed assessment for a type of role. Being rostered means you can be selected for similar future openings without repeating the full process.

Grades (P and other categories)

UN job levels. Professional posts run roughly P-1 to P-5 (for example, P-3 is a mid-level professional role), alongside General Service, National Officer, Director and other categories, each with its own experience expectations.

Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

A UN Secretariat entry route for early-career candidates that combines an examination and selection process for nationals of participating countries.

Definitions are general guidance for applicants. Exact rules, grades and field limits vary by organization and vacancy. Competably is independent and not affiliated with the United Nations or any of its agencies.

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