United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Do UN workers travel a lot?

Travel is a significant part of many positions within the United Nations (UN), and many UN employees do travel frequently as part of their work. The amount of travel required can vary widely depending on the position, location, and responsibilities of the staff member.

Some UN workers may be based in a specific country or region and travel within that area for meetings, conferences, or project visits. Others may work on a global or regional scale and travel to multiple countries for longer periods to conduct research, provide technical assistance, or coordinate with other UN agencies and partners.

The frequency and duration of travel can also depend on the specific UN agency or program. For example, staff members working in emergency response or peacekeeping may travel more frequently and to more challenging or dangerous environments.

Travel can be an exciting and rewarding aspect of working for the UN, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding, especially when working in remote or conflict-affected areas. UN workers who travel frequently are often required to adapt to new cultures, languages, and working environments, and may need to be flexible and resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.