The UN is looking for highly qualified candidates who are ready to launch a professional career as an international civil servant.

The young professionals programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative that brings new talent to the United Nations through an annual entrance examination.

For young, high-calibre professionals across the globe, the examination is a platform for launching a career at the United Nations. The 2013 examination will be offered in the following job families: Legal Affairs, Public Information, Statistics, Administration and Finance.

The examination is held worldwide and is open to nationals of countries participating in the annual recruitment exercise - the list of participating countries is published annually and varies from year to year.

This examination is also held for staff members of the United Nations Secretariat who work within the General Service and other related categories and aspire to a career within the Professional and higher categories.

The application period for Legal Affairs, Public Information and Statistics opened on 3 June and will close on 2 August 2013. The application period for Administration and Finance will open on 8 July and close on 5 September 2013.

All applications must be submitted through the United Nations careers portal. You can find out more information about the UN's young professionals programme here.