UN Junior Professional Officers Programme

The UK has recently resumed its support for the United Nation’s Junior Professional Officers (JPO) scheme. This programme offers young professionals interested in pursuing a career in international development an exceptional opportunity to acquire hands-on experience within the UN multilateral system.

DFID is the Government department coordinating the UK’s applicant process. Over the next 3 years, DFID will fund up to 22 placements across the UN.

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified individuals who:

are British Nationals
are under the age of 32 years (35 years for UNICEF JPO positions)
have completed a postgraduate degree in a development related field
have a minimum of 2 years paid work experience (preferably in a development related area)

JPOs will be recruited at the UN entry level for professionals (P1 and P2) and offered 1 year fixed term UN contracts which are normally renewed for a second year (2 years being the usual length of a placement), subject to satisfactory performance.

More information about the JPO schemes: