The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially opened applications for the prestigious Associate Human Resources Officer (P-2) – Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme 2026 sponsored by the Republic of Korea. This highly competitive international opportunity offers young Korean professionals the chance to work at the ICC headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, while contributing to global justice and international institutional management.
The position is hosted within the Human Resources Section of the ICC Registry and provides selected candidates with hands-on experience in strategic HR management, organizational development, policy implementation, workforce planning, recruitment operations, learning and development, and international administration.
The application deadline is 26 June 2026 (midnight The Hague time).
About the International Criminal Court (ICC)
The International Criminal Court is one of the world’s leading international judicial institutions, responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.
Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC operates with professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. The organization provides an international working environment focused on justice, accountability, professionalism, diversity, and global cooperation.
The Human Resources Section plays a critical role in supporting the Court’s global mission by ensuring effective workforce management, organizational efficiency, strategic talent development, and compliance with international administrative standards.
Overview of the JPO Position
Position Title
Associate Human Resources Officer (P-2) – Junior Professional Officer (JPO)
Duty Station
The Hague, Netherlands
Organization
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Organizational Unit
Human Resources Section, Division of Management Services, Registry
Contract Duration
One-year appointment with possibility of extension according to the JPO Memorandum of Understanding
Annual Salary
Minimum Net Annual Salary (including post adjustment): €71,173
Application Deadline
26 June 2026 (midnight The Hague time)
What Makes This Opportunity Significant?
This JPO role offers early-career professionals the rare opportunity to:
- Work directly within a major international organization
- Gain exposure to UN Common System HR frameworks
- Participate in strategic HR and organizational development projects
- Build expertise in international recruitment and policy implementation
- Contribute to organizational transformation initiatives
- Develop experience in multicultural and multinational workplace management
- Work alongside global experts in administration, HR operations, and institutional governance
For candidates interested in long-term careers with the United Nations system, international NGOs, global institutions, or diplomatic organizations, this opportunity provides outstanding career-building exposure.
Human Resources Section at the ICC
The Human Resources Section provides centralized HR advisory, administrative, and strategic support across the Court. It operates within the Division of Management Services alongside:
- Budget Section
- Finance Section
- Safety and Security Section
- General Services Section
- Occupational Health Unit
- SAP Competence Centre
The HR Section focuses on both operational and strategic human resource management functions.
Key Areas Managed by the HR Section
The section oversees:
- Recruitment and onboarding
- Workforce planning
- Job design and classification
- Payroll administration
- Employee benefits and entitlements
- Pension and insurance management
- Performance management
- Organizational development
- Learning and development programmes
- Career planning and succession management
- Staff relations and grievance support
Structure of the Human Resources Section
The HR Section consists of two specialized units:
1. HR Operations Unit
This unit handles operational HR functions including:
- Recruitment processes
- Staff onboarding
- Compensation administration
- Payroll management
- Benefits and entitlements
- Post management
- Health insurance administration
- Pension administration
- HR-related staff complaints and grievances
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) staff data management
2. HR Organizational Development Unit
This unit focuses on strategic HR initiatives such as:
- Workforce planning
- Talent management
- Organizational design
- Staff development
- Training programmes
- Learning and development strategies
- Performance management systems
- Leadership and managerial development
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of the Human Resources Operations Unit, the selected JPO will support multiple HR functions and strategic projects.
Main Responsibilities Include:
- Supporting implementation of HR-related projects and strategic initiatives
- Conducting research on HR policies, procedures, and best practices from comparable international organizations
- Assisting in the development of HR guidelines and institutional procedures
- Liaising with HR specialists on recruitment, entitlements, insurance, policy interpretation, and administrative matters
- Reviewing HR issues and presenting analytical recommendations to management
- Supporting the monitoring and evaluation of HR policies and organizational practices
- Assisting in the development of HR performance indicators and management tools
- Contributing to Service Level Agreements and HR work plan tracking systems
- Conducting preliminary policy analysis and assisting in drafting position papers
- Designing internal communication materials supporting HR objectives and institutional goals
- Providing support across HR units whenever required
- Performing additional duties assigned by HR leadership
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Applicants must possess either:
- An advanced university degree in:
- Human Resources Management
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
- Law
- Social Sciences
- Information Management
- Or another related field
OR
- A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience
Professional Experience Requirements
Candidates must have:
- Minimum two years of relevant HR experience
OR
- Four years of experience if applying with a first-level university degree
Desirable Experience
Additional advantages include experience in:
- International organizations
- UN Common System salary and allowance structures
- Broad HR operations and administration
- HR policy implementation
- Organizational development initiatives
Required Skills and Competencies
The ICC seeks candidates with strong technical and interpersonal competencies.
Important Skills Include:
- Human resources management knowledge
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Strategic planning capabilities
- Results-oriented work approach
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
- Excellent communication skills
- Professional writing ability
- Cross-cultural collaboration skills
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Flexibility and motivation
- Strong professional integrity
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Fluency in English or French
Knowledge of the second working language is considered desirable.
Additional knowledge of official ICC languages such as:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Russian
- Spanish
will be considered an advantage.
Eligibility Requirements for Republic of Korea JPO Applicants
This position is specifically sponsored by the Republic of Korea and therefore includes additional eligibility conditions.
Applicants must:
- Be Korean citizens
- Be fluent in Korean and English
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree
- Meet English proficiency requirements
- Be under 32 years old as of 31 December 2026
- Have completed or be exempt from Korean military service (for male applicants)
Accepted English Test Scores
Applicants must provide valid English test results meeting at least one of the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- TEPS: 430
- IELTS: 7
- TOEIC: 900
Additional notes:
- TOEFL Home Edition is accepted
- TOEFL MyBest Scores are not accepted
- IELTS Academic and General Training are both accepted
- Scores remain valid for two years after the test date
Military Service Age Extension
The maximum age limit may be extended for applicants who completed Korean military service:
- One-year extension for service under one year
- Two-year extension for service between one and two years
- Three-year extension for service of two years or more
Required Documents
Applicants must submit all documents in English through the ICC e-recruitment system.
Required Documents Include:
- Resident Register issued by the Korean Government
- University degree certificates
- English proficiency certificate
- Employment certificates detailing:
- Employment period
- Organization
- Department
- Position title
- Duties and responsibilities
- Military service certificate (if applicable)
- National Basic Livelihood Security certificate (for low-income applicants)
- Disability certificate (for applicants with disabilities)
Why You Should Apply
This ICC JPO opportunity offers substantial professional and international career benefits, including:
- International HR experience
- Exposure to global institutional operations
- High-level policy and organizational development work
- Competitive international salary
- Multicultural professional environment
- Networking with global professionals
- Career pathway into international organizations and the UN system
- Professional growth in strategic HR management
Final Thoughts
The ICC Associate Human Resources Officer (P-2) JPO Programme 2026 represents an exceptional opportunity for ambitious Korean professionals seeking international exposure in human resources management and organizational development.
Working at the International Criminal Court provides not only a competitive international career pathway but also the opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s most significant global justice institutions.
Candidates with strong HR expertise, analytical capabilities, international outlook, and commitment to public service are strongly encouraged to apply before the 26 June 2026 deadline.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply through the official application portal HERE.
Click HERE for more information about the ICC Associate Human Resources Officer job opportunity.
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