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Applications are open for the UN DESA Italian Junior Professional Officers Programme 2024. The Italian 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 Italian 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). It enables qualified Italian nationals and nationals of eligible developing countries to gain work experience with international organizations for a period of two years, with the possibility of a further one-year extension.
The purpose of the Programme is two-fold: to assist international organizations in carrying out their activities by providing them with skilled personnel; and, 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.
Candidates must meet all the following general requirements to be considered eligible for the 2023/2024 edition of the Italian JPO Programme:
Eligibility requirements of the Italian JPO Programme for candidates from developing countries
For the 2023/2024 edition, one position is assigned to candidates from developing countries. The eligibility requirements for applicants are:
Eligibility requirements for specific positions
The specific requirements for each position – such as years of professional experience, additional languages, specific academic qualifications or training, required competencies, etc. – are indicated in the Terms of Reference (Job Descriptions) posted online.
Additional skills and qualifications
The level of training, specialization and prior professional experience expected by Junior Professional Officers may vary according to the specific requests from the recipient organizations.
In addition to the general requirements, the following qualifications are considered essential elements during the evaluation phase, as specified in the Terms of Reference
Candidates are expected to be motivated and willing to adapt to different work environments. Furthermore, they must at all times demonstrate commitment to the core values of the United Nations and other international organizations, i.e. integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
Fields of expertise
The Italian JPO Programme offers a wide variety of professional opportunities in various sectors of work. In addition to terms of reference requiring background in social sciences, humanities and business disciplines, there are job descriptions of a more technical nature.
Fields of expertise include – but are not limited to – the following areas: political and disarmament affairs, peacekeeping and peacebuilding; humanitarian affairs, resettlements and refugees; disaster risk reduction; sustainable development, including environment and climate change, water and sanitation, natural resources conservation, land degradation and desertification, biodiversity, forests management, etc.; migration and development; economic development, including public finance, public management, risk management, etc.; employment and decent work; social development, including social protection and gender, disabilities, indigenous and youth issues; governance, public institutions and administration, and local development; statistics, demography and data management; international law and legal affairs; rule of law, justice and electoral issues; children’s rights and adolescent development; nutrition, food security and safety, and sustainable agricultural development; sustainable energy, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology; safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies; health, well-being and sanitation issues; urban development, including smart cities, and sustainable human settlements; world heritage preservation, culture and education; science and technology; information and communication technology for development, digital cooperation and artificial intelligence; communications for development; external relations and partnerships; private sector and industry development; sustainable infrastructure planning and management; logistics, supply chain management and project management.
Apply for UN DESA Italian Junior Professional Officers Programme