Application Deadline:December 30th 2021
The Italian Junior Professional Officers Programme – also known as the JPO Programme – is a multilateral technical cooperation initiative sponsored by the Government of Italy and implemented by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA). It enables Italian citizens holding an advanced university degree (Master’s level) who have an excellent knowledge of English and Italian and who are not more than 30 years of age (31 or 33 for graduates in medicine and surgery) to gain work experience with international organizations for a period of two years. In the past four years a limited number of positions have been assigned to candidates from developing countries (Least Developed Countries and priority Countries for the Italian Development Cooperation).
The purpose of the Programme is two-fold: on the one hand, it assists international organizations in carrying out their activities by providing them with skilled personnel for a period of two years; on the other, it allows young qualified professionals seeking an international career the opportunity of two years’ work experience that will broaden their chances of finding a suitable job in international organizations or in the international field.
The Programme stems from a United Nations Economic and Social Council resolution adopted in 1961, which approved and encouraged the collaboration of volunteers (funded by their respective countries of origin) in development cooperation initiatives and programmes.
For the 2021/2022 edition, a limited number of positions will be assigned to candidates from developing countries (Least Developed Countries and priority Countries for the Italian Development Cooperation). These candidates must meet all of the following requirements to be considered eligible for the 2021/2022 edition:
- born on or after 1 January 1991 (1 January 1990 for graduates in Medicine; 1 January 1988 for graduates in Medicine who have already been awarded a post-graduate medical specialization degree)
- hold the passport of one of the following UN Member States or non-Member Observer States: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, State of Palestine, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia.
- fluency in English (knowledge of Italian will be considered an asset)
- hold one of the following advanced university degrees (or degree combinations), awarded before the application deadline:
- Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica.
- Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico.
- Laurea/LaureaTriennale plus university Master’s degree.
- Bachelor’s degree plus university Master’s degree.
How to Apply
1. General information
You will be requested to provide information on how you learned about the Programme and what your preferred field of work is.
2. Skills
You will be requested to provide details of your language and computer skills. You may also list any publications, where relevant.
3. University /Higher Education
This section allows you to provide details of your university/higher education studies. Please ensure you include all institutions and clearly list the university degree(s) conferred. You will also be requested to provide information on your university activities, including relevant seminars, specialist courses and final dissertation(s).
In this section, you must upload a copy of the relevant university degree certificate attesting eligibility for the JPO Programme, such as:
– PhD, or
– Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica, or
– Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico, or
– University Master’s degree
4. Schools and training
This section allows you to list any formal training courses that you have undertaken. Education history information from age 14 onwards must also be included.
5. Employment history
You will be requested to provide details of all relevant work experience to date, specifying as follows: contract information, description of your duties and achievements, as well as reasons for leaving. Please use a separate record for each post. You may also include voluntary work and internships.
6. Motivation letter
This section allows you to briefly outline your reasons for applying to the JPO Programme. You may also highlight here your strengths and interests.
7. Additional information and Submission
This section allows you to list professional societies and activities in civic, public or international affairs, as well as information regarding any fellowships held and/or periods of residence outside the country of your nationality.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UNDESA Italian JPO Programme