Junior Professional Officer Programme (JPO)
What is the JPO Programme?
The JPO Programme provides an opportunity to professionals to gain work experience, receive training, and be exposed to the work of UNIDO. Specific assignments may vary depending on specific donor interests and mutual agreement of both parties. JPOs are recruited under bilateral agreements between UNIDO and donor member states. They are appointed under fixed-term contracts to posts funded by the respective donor government and currently donor governments only sponsor nationals of their own countries.
Impact for Member States
The JPO Programme is a unique opportunity for donors, to sponsor professionals to acquire valuable work experience in the field of international cooperation and development. It is also an opportunity for these nationals to launch their career in one of the organizations of the UN system. JPOs bring the diversity that is essential to the workforces of international organizations.
JPOs also support key priority areas of UNIDO’s work and in many cases, such areas are also aligned closely to donor’s development cooperation activities. Placements of JPOs may be proposed based on national development cooperation strategies. Likewise, efforts shall be made to place JPOs in priority areas of UNIDO, ensuring mutual benefits to both.
Donors would announce the job profile for a process of competitive selection at the national level, resulting in a final shortlist of candidates recommended to UNIDO’s Director General for further selection.
Desired Profile of a JPO – General requirements
| Nationality | Age | Education | Experience | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National of JPO donor country | Depends on donor country, usually below 32 at the time of application | Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field | A minimum of 3 years of professional work experience is required for appointment at the L-2 level | Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN official language (French, Spanish, ArabicChinese, Russian) is an asset. |
What is expected of a JPO?
When joining UNIDO, the JPO is expected to
- (a) contribute to UNIDO established practices and priority areas;
- (b) undertake assignments that include staff and career development elements for the JPO; and
- (c) receive proper supervision by the immediate supervisor.
What is the programme’s duration?
The usual duration of the JPO programme is 24 months. Upon the donor's request, this may be extended to 36 months or shortened to 12 months.
*Note: A JPO appointment at UNIDO does not carry any expectation of extension or conversion to any other contract type with the Organization.
Countries currently Supporting the JPO Programme at UNIDO
For statistics on our JPO programme, please visit JPO Facts and Figures (link). UNIDO is grateful to its Member States such as China, Finland, Germany, Italy and Japan, to name a few, for currently supporting the JPO programme.
| Donor country | Link to website |
|---|---|
| China | Currently two Chinese Ministries offer JPO placements at UNIDO. Please consult the websites of MOFCOM or MIIT |
| Finland | https://um.fi/search?q=junior+professional+officer&search |
| Germany | https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/vor-ort/zav/bfio/jpo-stellenausschreibungen |
| Italy | https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/servizi/italiani/opportunita/nelle_oo_ii/pergiovani/jpo.html |
| Japan | https://www.mofa-irc.go.jp/ |
How can a JPO Donor Agreement be secured?
An exchange of communications can be triggered by any of the parties, whether it is a Representative to International Organizations based in Vienna or through UNIDO’s Strategic Donor Relations Division. The end result shall be a signed Agreement.
For more information, please email us: Staff.Services@unido.org
Please see the JPO Programme Brochure for further information.