The Italian Junior Professional Officer Programme, known as JPO Programme, is a multilateral development cooperation initiative sponsored by the Government of Italy through the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA).
The purpose of the Programme is two-fold: a) to assist international organizations in carrying out their activities by providing them with skilled personnel; b) to allow qualified young professionals seeking an international career to make a relevant experience that could broaden their chances of recruitment in international organizations or in the international field.
Starting from the current edition a new procedure for submitting applications to the JPO Programme is established.
During the month of July 2024, the Terms of Reference (Job descriptions) of the JPO positions will be published on this website and on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The call for applications will remain open for a period of one month.
Candidates will now be able to submit an application for a specific position via the dedicated online platform. It will be possible to apply for a maximum of three positions.
Candidates must be born on or after 1 January 1993 (1 January 1992 for graduates in Medicine; 1 January 1990 for graduates in Medicine who have already been awarded a post-graduate medical specialization degree) and hold an advanced university degree awarded before the application deadline.
The specific requirements for each position – such as years of professional experience, additional languages, specific academic qualifications or training, required competencies, etc. – will be indicated in the Terms of Reference (Job Descriptions) posted online.
Tentative timeline of the selection process
Validation and pre-selection
Between August and September 2024, the formal admission requirements to the JPO Programme will be verified and the shortlists of candidates admitted to the final selection phase for each JPO position will be drawn up.
Pre-selected candidates will be informed of the admission to the final selection phase for the position for which they have applied.
Selection
During the period August-October 2024, the final selection phase will be carried out by the recipient International Organizations. Preselected candidates will be contacted directly by the International Organizations and informed about the timing of the selection and its modalities.
Orientation course
The mandatory orientation course for the selected JPOs will take place at the United Nations System Staff College in Turin in December 2024.
Entry on duty
The selected JPOs are expected to depart for their respective duty stations after the end of the orientation course and by February 2025.
Informative webinars
A webinar for information and practical advice on how to prepare the application will be organized on the following dates. Registration to attend the webinars is required.
13 May 2024 (2:00 pm – Italy local time)16 May 2024 (5:00 pm – Italy local time)21 May 2024 (2:00 pm – Italy local time)23 May 2024 (5.00 pm – Italy local time)27 May 2024 (2:00 pm – Italy local time)30 May 2024 (5:00 pm – Italy local time)