Welcome to the UN Secretariat Online Learning Libraries! In this page, you can learn how you as a staff member can benefit from external online learning opportunities and partnerships offered by the Office of Human Resources - at no cost to you!
Please select the online learning library you wish to learn about:
LinkedIn Learning is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn on-the-job business, software, technology and creative skills.
Through a subscription with the Office of Human Resources, UN Secretariat personnel have access to LinkedIn Learning's extensive video library of engaging, top-quality tutorials taught by recognized industry experts. Whether it's through full courses or bite-sized videos, you will be able to either learn something new, strengthen your skills, or solve a problem - and apply it to your job! All you need is a UN email address to start learning.
Access LinkedIn Learning in 4 simple steps (for first-time users):
- Go to the LinkedIn Learning activation portal.
- Create a free account with your UN email address.
Once LinkedIn Learning verifies your email domain, you will receive an email from the system prompting you to create a profile. - Create your profile.
- Start learning!
During the activation process, you will have the option to connect a LinkedIn account to your LinkedIn Learning account. Connecting your LinkedIn account is recommended, but not mandatory.
If you do not have a LinkedIn account, you will be able to create one. The benefits of connecting a LinkedIn account include:
-
A more personalized learning experience that includes special course recommendations for you based on job title, skills, and industry.
-
Discoverable and relevant learning content within your LinkedIn.com feed to keep learning top of mind and easy to access.
-
The ability to display your learning achievements on your LinkedIn.com profile.
When you connect your LinkedIn account, you can rest assured that only your learning data will be shared with the UN. No other data from your LinkedIn account will be accessible or shared. See the details of the Privacy Information for LinkedIn Learning Learners.
You can find all sorts of material, courses and videos on business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. View the full Linkedin Learning library, and recommended courses below.
You do need a reasonably fast internet connection to access the site and the courses and videos in it. However, you can download them onto your computer, tablet or smartphone for offline use by using the LinkedIn Learning app (iOS app, Android app).
Yes. A transcript of each video is available below the video box on the "Transcript" tab. In recognition of visually impaired staff members, LinkedIn Learning provides resources for accessibility to facilitate access to their content.
Curated Learning Collections
Curated by the Office of Human Resources, the below learning collections are aligned with the UN Secretariat's 2025 Learning Priorities support UN personnel in enhancing their skills, knowledge and competencies so they are better equipped to deliver on the Organization’s mandates.
 |
 |
|
Learning to strengthen the ability to use and manage data responsibly to enable informed decision making, including in the areas of data protection, privacy, and artificial intelligence. |
Learning to use digital technologies responsibly and advancing digital transformation, including in the area of cybersecurity. |
 |
 |
|
Learning to identify new agile, scalable solutions and ways of delivering with impact and an efficient use of resources. |
Learning to discern emerging trends, anticipate political shifts, and plan to respond proactively. |
 |
 |
|
Learning to apply knowledge of human behaviour to design evidence-based interventions that encourage positive change. |
Learning to develop communication strategies, strengthen online communications, build linkages between online and offline interactions, monitor and analyze emerging digital narratives, and identify patterns and trends to inform proactive and responsive actions to support information integration. |
 |
 |
|
Learning to strengthen ability to deliver mandates in a climate-changing world. |
Learning to turn collaborative relationships into partnership agreements, working together towards a common purpose, sharing risks and responsibilities, resources, and benefits. |
 |
 |
|
Learning to obtain additional resources for the delivery of projects and programmes. |
Learning to strengthen the capacity of UN staff to apply a human rights-based approach to UN programmes. |
Coursera is a learning platform that gives access to more than 10,000 online learning courses, specializations, and professional certifications from more than 350+ leading universities and companies globally.
The Office of Human Resources has partnered with Coursera to offer a limited amount of annual licenses for UN Secretariat staff members to take as many courses as they like. Coursera allows you to take the next step toward your personal career and personal goals with in-depth content on areas as diverse as data science, leadership, web and graphic design, mental health and wellness, economics, mathematics, and culture, Coursera is capable of equipping you with tremendous upskilling opportunities from certified world-renowned institutions, all offered to be completed at your own pace.
The Office of Human Resources is only able to offer a few hundred licenses per year. As such, not all those who apply to Coursera are able to have the opportunity to use it, and licenses are distributed on a first come, first serve basis:
- Go to the Coursera application form and fill it with your information.
- You will not receive a confirmation that your application was successfully received. You will instead be automatically placed in a waitlist.
- If your number in the waitlist is reached, you will receive an invitation to join Coursera. The license turnover takes place on the first calendar week of each month. Use the link in the email to join Coursera.
- Enroll to as many courses and certifications as you like, and start learning!
No. Due to limited supply, this opportunity is currently only open to UN Secretariat staff members. Other types of personnel, such as interns, contractors, UNVs, or consultants, will not be receive an invitation to join if they apply.
Coursera licenses are valid for the calendar year you receive it, and will not automatically renew the following year.
Due to the very limited supply of Coursera licenses, there is an activity clause. Learners must stay active in order for their licenses not to be re-assigned to someone else. One month of inactivity will result in a warning. Two months of inactivity will result in your license being revoked. Learners who had their license revoked will not be re-invited in the same year.
If you find yourself busy or incapable of using Coursera, please write to learning@un.org and we will re-assign your license and re-invite you once you are ready to continue with your learning.
Yes, you can carry your learning over to your new license. If you are using the same email address, you can simply enroll to any courses left in-progress and you will automatically be able to continue from where you left off. If you had an account under a different email address, you can contact Coursera Support to have them merge your accounts under your UN email address.
View the full Coursera library here. Almost the entire Coursera catalogue is available to you, except for full degrees. Recommended courses aligned with the UN 2025 learning priorities can be found below.
Curated Learning Opportunities
The Blue Line is an online learning hub designed by the UN, and for the UN.
Secretariat personnel (staff and non-staff) across all duty stations can access 208 courses in various languages, including training on UN competency-based interviews, the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, and the UN 2.0 Quintet of Change. A total of 27 learning paths are available, including the most recent one on data analytics. Thanks to the Lidera Leadership Community, learners can also complement a selection of Blue Line modules with online interactive workshops.
To register to The Blue Line, please follow the instructions here.
Curated Learning Opportunities
- Data Fundamentals
- Data Science Project
- Data Exploration and Analysis
- Data for Decision Making
- Data Visualization Part 1
- Data Visualization Part 2
- Data Storytelling
- Fundamentals of Predictive Analytics
- The Science of Predictive Analytics
- Applying Predictive Analytics
- Adaptive Leadership
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Introduction to Ethical Leadership
- Leading through Communication
- Leveraging Diversity in the Workplace
- The UN System Leadership Framework
- Transformational Leadership - Leading Others
- Transformational Leadership - Leading Self
- UN Leadership In Times Of Uncertainty
- E-Learning Curriculum On Resources Management
- Building Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
- Competency-based Interviewing Skills for Panel Members
- Essentials of Monitoring and Evaluation
- Managing Financial Resources - Parts 1 and 2
- Managing for Results, Part 1: Key Principles and Concepts of RBM
- Managing for Results, Part 2: The RBM Process
- Programme and Budget at Public Sector Organizations - Parts 1 and 2
- The UN System Leadership Framework
- Fundamentals of Procurement
- Overview of Procurement Manual - Part 1
- Overview of Procurement Manual - Part 2
- Best Value for Money
- Ethics and Integrity in Procurement
- Acquisition Planning
- Contract Management
- Contractual Issues in Purchasing
Questions?
Please reach out to learning@un.org for any questions not answered here regarding LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or the Blue Line.