The UN JPO Programme recruits Junior Professional Officers (formerly known as Associate Experts) for the UN Secretariat and associated entities. JPOs are recruited under bilateral agreements between the UN and donor countries. JPOs are generally nationals of donor countries, however some donors also finance nationals of developing countries. Candidates are young professionals, usually with an advanced university degree and minimum two years of professional experience. JPO positions are generally at the P2 level.

The number of sponsored positions varies from year to year and by donor country. The assignment is intended for a minimum duration of 2 years. Initially JPOs are granted a one-year appointment which is renewal for a 2nd year, with the agreement of the donor country, and on the basis of good performance. There is no expectation of being selected for a regular staff position; JPOs may apply for such positions as any other external candidate and go through the regular competitive selection process of the UN.

The Capacity Development Programme Management Office at DESA manages the JPO Programme for the UN Secretariat.

The main objective of the JPO Programme is to provide young professionals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of multilateral international cooperation through a learning experience under the supervision of specialists, and to contribute to the advancement and furtherance of their organization’s mandate, particularly with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals / 2030 Agenda.

The overall goal of the Junior Professional Officers (JPO) Programme is to enhance the development and capacity development work of the United Nations and other participating Agencies. The JPO Programme aims to meet the following objectives:

• For developing countries and donors, it represents another form of development aid through the United Nations System. It also provides vast opportunities for on-the -job training in multilateral capacity building for the young graduates and enables donors to contribute multilateral capacity development personnel to developing countries where they have no official representation. It can as well support specific goals in promoting and advancing priority areas in priority countries;
• For the United Nations Secretariat and the other Programmes/Funds involved, the JPO Programme represents a significant opportunity for mobilizing additional capacity development resources from some donors. It serves to increase capacity development professional staffing capacity and gives immediate access to human resources with recognized talent, up-to -date general or specialized knowledge and academic credentials. It also allows the agencies to discharge more effectively their increased and complex responsibilities;
• For the JPOs themselves, it offers possibilities for participation in the capacity development activities of the United Nations system as well as, in most cases, immediate exposure to the development processes and interaction in developing countries. It enables them to obtain work experience in the international sphere and offers opportunities for an international career.

Developing Countries Candidates (DCC) Trust Fund 

Despite the JPO Programme’s importance, only a small percentage of JPOs come from developing countries, limiting the diversity of perspectives the UN needs to address global challenges. Over the last decade, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), together with other UN organizations and sponsoring Member States, have taken important steps to address this situation. 

During the ninth JPO biennial meeting in Stockholm in 2013, UN DESA proposed the establishment of the Developing Countries Candidates (DCC) Trust Fund. This initiative, in line with ECOSOC Resolution 849, seeks to facilitate the training of young professionals from developing countries in the UN system improving the effectiveness of the organization. The Trust Fund was formally established in 2015 as an inter-agency initiative, under the administrative guidance of UN DESA’s Capacity Development Programme Management Office (CDPMO).

By enhancing the representation of developing country candidates within the JPO Programme, the Trust Fund offers a tangible solution to bridge existing gaps, ensuring a more equitable distribution of skilled professionals between the Global North and South. It will foster the diversity of perspectives needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals , while providing opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds. 

The Trust Fund is overseen by a Steering Committee comprising senior representatives from participating UN organizations, including UNDP, UNESCO, and ILO. This committee is responsible for identifying priority areas for funding, defining selection criteria for vacancies, evaluating fund performance, and recommending necessary adjustments. The Fund is open to contributions from various entities, including countries, NGOs, private sector actors, regional organizations, and development banks, encouraging a collaborative approach towards greater inclusivity of the UN system. 

These contributions will be used to sponsor the placement of young graduates from developing countries within the existing JPO Programmes. In 2024, generous donations from Germany and Switzerland have been allocated to the fund, resulting in the first sponsorship of 2 JPO positions within the UN System. Vacancies of the DCC Trust Fund are published here: JPO Vacancies | Junior Professional Officer Programme