Writing a strong United Nations job application: the P-11, CV and cover letter

The personal history form (P-11 / PHP)

Most UN systems ask for a structured candidate profile, sometimes still called the P-11 or personal history profile. This is frequently the first thing a screener reads, so fill in every field. Give your full employment history with start and end dates, with no unexplained gaps, and describe each role in terms of what you actually did and achieved.

Your CV

Keep the CV concise and achievement-focused, and align it to the vacancy. Lead each role with results rather than duties, and quantify them: budgets managed, people supervised, programmes delivered, percentage improvements. A reviewer should see your fit in the first half page.

The cover letter or motivation statement

Address each required qualification in turn and give evidence for it. If the post asks for five years of experience in monitoring and evaluation and fluency in French, say explicitly where you gained that experience and state your French level. Mirror the language of the vacancy so the match is obvious.

Tailor to the criteria

Before you submit, line up your application against the vacancy’s requirements, education, years and type of experience, languages and competencies, and check that each one is clearly evidenced somewhere a screener will look. Do not make them hunt for it.

Deadlines and final checks

Submit before the closing date, which is usually set in the duty station’s local time. Re-read for accuracy of dates and facts, make sure your contact details are correct, and keep a copy of exactly what you submitted.

Common reasons applications are screened out

• Generic applications not tailored to the specific role.
• Unexplained gaps or missing dates in the employment history.
• A required qualification that is met but never clearly stated.
• Submitting after the deadline.