The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme provides university graduates with the possibility of acquiring work experience with international organisations by contributing to policy formulation and implementation of activities in the field of development co-operation. The programme is open to candidates from the Netherlands and to candidates from developing countries.
- Minimum qualification requirements
- Applications
- Useful Tips for Application
- Selection procedure
- Privacy
- Questions
Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) are posted with a number of UN organisations and international research institutes that maintain a relation of active collaboration with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see List of Organisations Dutch JPO Programme). Postings are funded only in countries which appear on the list of eligible countries Dutch JPO Programme. This list is reviewed regularly and countries may be added/removed. Assignments are linked to the policy objectives of the Netherlands in the field of international development cooperation. Positions are at entry-level.
In principle is the duration of an assignment 36 months. This is also the maximum term: extensions will not be possible. For each post a job description is prepared, offering a learning track. The organisations provide opportunities for learning in technical fields as well as with respect to personal skills according to predefined goals. JPO’s should be aware, however, that during their assignment job descriptions may be subject to modifications if the circumstances so require.
The JPO will sign an employment contract with the organisation concerned.
Minimum qualification requirements
- Candidates have a university degree at MSc or MA level in a study relevant to the advertised position as well as a
- Candidates have not previously held a JPO position;
- Working experience within the UN system should not exceed 50% of the relevant working experience, including UNV, ( paid) UN internship and UN consultancy;
- The posting is outside the candidates’ country of origin.
Additional requirements for candidates from the Netherlands:
- Candidates have Dutch nationality
Additional requirements for candidates from developing countries:
- Candidates should be nationals of developing countries that appear on the list of eligible countries;
- Part of the candidates’ academic training (BA and/or MA) must have taken place in a developing country that appears on the list of eligible countries.
In addition to these requirements, all candidates should meet several supplementary criteria, such as:
- Be able to demonstrate their interest in international development cooperation;
- Have a working
knowledge of at least two official UN languages.
Applications
There are two categories of vacancies with regard to nationality:
| Dutch | – | Open to candidates who have Dutch Nationality |
| DC | – | Open to candidates from eligible Developing Countries |
For an overview of all available positions, please see vacancies. Vacancies are also announced on the website of PIF World (Ontdek Vacatures – Pay It Forward (pifworld.com)), LinkedIn and the websites of the receiving Organisation.
Only applications for a specific vacancy will be considered. You should send your application to the organisation/contact person mentioned in the advertisement and not to the Nedworc Foundation or the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Candidates with partners who also wish to work in the country of their posting are strongly advised to inquire with the organisation whether labour legislation in the country concerned allows partners to work.
Selection procedure
The organisations carry out the selection and recruitment of candidates. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.
Privacy
Nedworc Foundation will keep personal information of contracted JPOs in its database system for management, monitoring, and evaluation purposes. Private details will not be shared with unauthorised third parties. All information concerning short-listed candidates will be kept by the Nedworc Foundation in its system until the selected candidate has accepted the offer. Details of unsuccessful candidates will be deleted.
Questions
The JPO’s Programme is administered by the Multilateral Organisations and Human Rights Department (DMM) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands outsourced (part of) the programme management to Nedworc Foundation.
If you have questions about the programme, please check the FAQ section.
For additional information, contact Nedworc Foundation (phone number: + 31 30 693 2912; e-mail address: ).
Questions about the organisations and job vacancies should be addressed directly to the organisations concerned.