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NCE Frequently Asked Questions

Nationality:
Q: I am not a national of a country listed. Can I apply?
A: No, you are not qualified to apply for this exam. There is no exception. Please check our site again in June of next year to see if your country is listed. You may also check the following site http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/ for other opportunities.

Q: I have more than one nationality. Am I qualified to apply?
A: Only if one or more of your nationalities is listed.

Q: I am a resident alien and/or I have applied to become a citizen in one of the countries listed on the web site. Am I qualified to apply?
A: No. You must have the citizenship at the time of application, not later.

Q: Why is the programme only open to nationals of these countries?
A: We are mandated by the various resolutions of the UN General Assembly to increase the number of professional staff from countries that are not represented or are not adequately represented in the UN Secretariat. Therefore, the programme is open to these priority member states.

Q: How many nationals from my country will be selected through this process and be offered a post?
A: There is no preset number; the number depends on the achievement of candidates in this competitive process.

Age:
Q: I will be 33 years old on 31 December of the year of the exam. Can I apply?
A: No, you cannot apply because you must be 32 years old or younger as of 31 December of the year of the exam. There is no exception (even for one day) to the age requirement to apply for the National Competitive Examination, which is held for recruiting professionals for junior posts. However, with the necessary qualification, you may apply for more senior posts which do not bear age requirements. You may find specific requirements for these posts by visiting www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/.

University degree:
Q: I will be obtaining my B.A. in June of next year. Can I apply?
A: In order to be eligible, you must have a degree relevant to the occupational group at the time you are submitting your application. If you are obtaining your degree by 31 January of the year of the exam, we will consider your application. However, if you are obtaining your degree beyond that, you will have to apply next time.

Q: I will be obtaining my Master's degree in June of next year. I already have a B.A. Am I eligible?
A: In order to be eligible, you must have a degree relevant to the occupational group at the time you are submitting your application. However, we may consider your application if you are obtaining your degree by 31 January of the year of the exam. Also, if you are currently pursuing a second university degree, it is possible that you may qualify on the basis of your first university degree (BA or equivalent), provided it is relevant to the occupational group you are applying in. For instance, if you are expecting to complete your Law degree in June of next year but already have a B.A. in Library, you are eligible to apply for the exam in Library (provided an exam is offered next year in Library); if you are expecting to complete your Law degree in June of next year but already have a B.A. in gymnastic, you are not eligible because gymnastic is not an acceptable academic field for any of the UN occupational groups.

In submitting your application, please make sure that you include a transcript or a list of relevant courses taken. This will facilitate the review of your application by the Board. Once the Board makes its decision, the decision is final and not subject to appeal.

P-2/P-3 exam:
Q: What do you mean by "P-2" and "P-3" levels?
A: These are two of the levels used to classify professional posts at the United Nations. P-2 level is at the entry level and do not normally require any extensive experience. P-2 permanent posts are filled exclusively through competitive examinations. P-3 level is the next professional level and requires a higher level of expertise acquired through relevant professional experience in a given field. P-3 posts are normally filled through competitive examinations but can be filled through internal promotions and other means.

Q: Is there any NCRE exam announced for the P-3 level?
A: There is no NCRE exam at the P-3 level scheduled presently. The P-3 exams are offered only when specific needs arise. Please check our site frequently for updates.

Written exam:
Q: What kind of reference materials could I use to prepare for the written exams?
A: The reading materials mentioned in the sample questions are merely suggestions and not a requirement. You may want to read through newspaper, journals and books you used while you were studying at the university and any other publication which you feel may be useful.

Q: I will be resident abroad at the time of the written exam. Can I take the exam in a local university or in my consulate?
A: No. The exams are administered only in a limited number of exam centres, under the supervision of a United Nations official. On request, at the time of the application or at least 6 weeks before the exam, we will attempt to convoke you to the location closest to your residence abroad.

Q: Does the United Nations cover my travel expenses to take the exam?
A: No, the United Nations does not cover any cost (travel, subsistence allowance or stipend, insurance, etc.) incurred in taking the written exam. However, for candidates invited back to the interview, the United Nations will cover the cost of travel and subsistence allowance in accordance with its rules.

Q: I have an appointment that I cannot miss on the day of the exam. Can I take the exam earlier or later on that day or any time before or after the announced exam date?
A: No. All candidates must start and remain until the end of the exam according to the specific schedule of their exam centre. There is no makeup exam; there are no exceptions, not even for medical reasons.

Q: Can I arrive late to the exam?
A: Arriving late is strongly discouraged, as it will disturb others and you will miss the instructions read at the start of the exam. In the event that you are delayed, you will be admitted up to thirty minutes after the starting time. You will not receive extra time if you arrive late.

Q: I have a very poor handwriting, so can I use a typewriter or a computer?
A: No. It would make the administration of the exam too complex. It would also raise confidentiality and security issues.

Q: What can I bring to the exam centre? Is there a dress code to take the exam? What is not allowed in the exam centre?
A: Please bring black pens, pencils, highlight pens, calculator, ruler, your convocation document, and a picture ID indicating your nationality (passport, citizenship card, etc.). You may also bring some light food (candies, chocolate, etc.) and refreshments which will not distract others in the room. Smoking is discouraged, but sometimes permitted, depending on the location. There is no dress code to participate in the exam. However, some exam rooms might be rather cool or warm. Be prepared!

Do not bring cellular phones, dictionaries, electronic dictionaries, portable computers, reference materials, or draft paper/scrap paper. Should you bring any of these items, you will be required to leave them in another room.

Q: I was convoked to take last year's exam, but I did not take it. May I take this year's exam?
A: In order to take this year's exam you must submit a new application, meet all requirements (nationality, age, occupational group), be selected by the Board and convoked to an exam centre.

Exam results:
Q: I took the last national exam in February. When can I expect the results and how will I be notified?
A: The marking of the written exam is normally completed between June and November following the exam depending on the occupational group. Detailed progress for each occupational group is given on our Internet site beginning in July. All candidates are notified in writing by airmail at their last updated address. The application numbers of candidates convoked to the interview are also published on our Internet site. The interview usually takes place one to two months after the completion of the marking of the written exam.

Q: I will be moving soon. How can I forward you my new address?
A: The preferred mode of communication is by e-mail; please send us an e-mail message indicating your full name, your application number, your new address, your new phone number, fax number, and any other changes. Our e-mail address is OHRM-NCE200x@un.org (replace x with the appropriate exam year such as 2002, 2003, etc. i.e. OHRM-NCE2003@un.org).

Career prospects:
Q: Are P-2 posts fixed-term contracts? Do they need to be renewed?
A: The purpose of the National Competitive Recruitment Examination is to recruit people for career posts at the Secretariat. Recruits will initially go through a two-year probationary period followed by conversion into continuing contracts, provided their performance is satisfactory. They are expected to stay on to make a career with the Secretariat as they move on to higher ranks, such as P-3 and then to P-4, etc. You will not be required to take another competitive exam to become a P-3, P-4, etc., but you will have to apply for a vacant post at that level.

Q: Would I be stuck in the same position after I am recruited?
A: The Organization strongly encourages mobility within and across duty stations and functions. Under the new Managed Reassignment Programme, all P-2 recruits are expected to work in at least two different functions within their first five years of service. After two years in their initial assignment, they will move to a second function within the same or a different department, duty station or occupational group. The Office of Human Resources Management will present the P-2 staff available posts for the upcoming reassignment exercise.