Organisation for independent consultants

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.

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 Minister for Development Cooperation (see List of Organisations Dutch AE/JPO/APO/JE Programme). Postings are funded only in countries which appear on the list of eligible countries Dutch AE/JPO/APO/JE 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. Salary, and terms and conditions of employment are determined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister for Development Co-operation and the respective UN organisation. The JPO will initially be offered a contract for 12 months which can be extended to a maximum of three years.

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 relevant professional working experience of minimal 2 and maximal 4 years. In exceptional cases candidates with a BSc or BA degree plus a minimum of three years relevant working experience can be considered;
  • Candidates have not previously held a JPO position;
  • 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 a number of 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.

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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 and on 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 as 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.

Useful Tips for Application

Selection procedure

Selection and recruitment of candidates are carried out by the organisations. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

Privacy

Nedworc Foundation will keep personal information of contracted JPOs in their database system for management, monitoring and evaluation purposes. Private details will not be shared with unauthorised third parties. All information with regard to short-listed candidates will be kept by Nedworc Foundation in their system up till the moment that the selected candidate has accepted the offer. Details of the unsuccessful candidates will be deleted.

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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 management of the programme 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: jpo@nedworcfoundation.nl).
Questions about the organisations and job vacancies should be addressed directly to the organisations concerned.