The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme for 2025/2026 is now open, offering a wide range of career opportunities across leading international organizations. These positions provide early-career professionals with the chance to gain hands-on experience in global development, humanitarian work, policy, and international cooperation.
This year’s intake includes positions for candidates from developing countries as well as a large number of roles reserved for candidates with Italian nationality.
Positions for Candidates from Developing Countries (2 Openings)
A limited number of highly competitive positions are available for applicants from eligible developing countries:
- JPO26-12 – IFAD (Rome, Italy)
Partnership Analyst (Member State Engagement) - JPO26-30 – UNDP (Lilongwe, Malawi)
Human Rights Analyst
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must be nationals of one of the following countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia.
Positions for Candidates with Italian Nationality (45 Openings)
A broad selection of JPO roles is available across multiple organizations and global locations. These include:
Selected Highlights
- Alliance Bioversity and CIAT (Accra, Ghana / Rome, Italy / Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)
Project Officers – Sustainable Cocoa Initiative - FAO (Rome, Italy / Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)
Digital Agrifood Systems Specialist; Food Standards (CODEX Secretariat) - IFAD (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)
Regional Technical Analyst (Markets and Value Chains) - ILO (Amman, Jordan)
Employment Creation and Development Cooperation - IOM (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Nairobi, Kenya)
Migration Health Policy Officer; Innovation Officer (Climate Action) - OECD (Paris, France)
Policy Analyst; Junior Economist - UNDP (New York, USA)
Partnerships Development Analyst - UNEP (Nairobi, Kenya)
Associate Intergovernmental Affairs Officer - UN-Habitat (Nairobi, Kenya)
Urban and Regional Planning for Sustainable Development - UNICEF (Amman, Jordan / Dakar, Senegal)
Adolescent Development Officer; Gender Programme Officer - UNIDO (Vienna, Austria)
Agribusiness Development; Human Resource Management - UNODC (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)
Drug Control and Crime Prevention (Border Management) - WFP (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Procurement Officer (Supply Chain Unit) - World Bank (Washington DC, USA)
Education Reform, Performance and Learning (GPE Secretariat)
Additional roles are available across institutions such as EBRD, IAEA, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNOPS, UNOV, and more—bringing the total to 45 positions.
Why Apply for the JPO Programme?
The JPO Programme is a prestigious pathway into international careers, offering:
- Professional experience with top global organizations
- Exposure to international development and policy work
- Opportunities to work in diverse, multicultural environments
- Career progression within the UN system and partner institutions
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the specific requirements for each position and submit their applications through the official JPO programme channels or the respective organization’s careers portal.
Click Here, for details of each application
Pro Tip for Applicants
Given the competitiveness of JPO roles, tailor your application carefully:
- Highlight relevant international experience
- Demonstrate alignment with the organization’s mission
- Emphasize technical expertise and language skills
Early preparation and strong, targeted applications significantly increase your chances of success.
Final Thoughts
The JPO 2025/2026 cycle presents an exceptional opportunity for young professionals to launch or advance their careers in international development and diplomacy. With roles spanning continents and sectors, this programme remains one of the most sought-after entry points into the global development ecosystem
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