Junior Professional Officer Programme
The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme aims at contributing to a qualified and diverse United Nations workforce by financing Swiss JPOs within Switzerland’s priority UN development organisations and the UN Secretariat. This provides Swiss graduates with an opportunity to start a career in the United Nations while at the same time strengthens the United Nations towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and the UNDS Reform.
| Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|
|
Other
Sector not specified
|
01.01.2020
- 31.12.2025 |
CHF 9'090'000
|
- United Nations Development Programme
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Unallocated / Unspecified
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Sectors not specified
Cross-cutting topics The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F08878
| Background |
In order to implement the ambitious 2030 agenda and the UNDS Reform, the UN Development System requires a qualified workforce. By providing highly qualified and motivated Swiss JPOs to Switzerland’s priority UN development agencies as well as secretariat units (UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA, WHO, UNAIDS, IFAD UNDESA, UNDCO and EOSG) and the WB, the JPO programme contributes to the UNDS human resources needs and at the same time provides young Swiss graduates with an opportunity to start a career in the UNDS . |
| Objectives | Swiss Junior Professional Officers contribute to an UN Development System that can rely on a diverse and highly qualifed workforce that effectively supports partner countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda |
| Target groups | SDC’s priority multi-lateral organisations; young Swiss graduates |
| Medium-term outcomes |
(1) young Swiss professionals are provided with opportunities to work in SDC priority UN agencies and secretariat units and have improved their career perspectives (2) the work of SDC priority UN agencies and secretariat units towards implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the UNDS Reform is strengthened |
| Results |
Expected results: 18 Swiss Junior Professional Officers are recruited and deployed for Swiss priority UN development organizations, including the UN secretariat. At least 50% of all JPOs are retained by UN organizations and contribute to the presence of Swiss nationals in priority UN organizations. Selected JPOs meet the human resources needs of the host agencies. Results from previous phases: By November 2019, 20 Swiss JPOs have been deployed to 11 Swiss priority UN organisations. As shown by an external evaluation, Swiss JPOs are perceived as highly qualified and well performing and the programme has had a positive effect on JPO’s skills, empowerment and expertise. The programme has achieved its overall objective of retaining more than half of the JPOs withing the UN system. Based on the outcomes of the previous phase, Switzerland will continue its JPO programme to ensure Young Swiss nationals get opportunities to gain international experience with the UN in areas of Swiss interest, and to contribute to enhanced Swiss representation amongst the workforce in Swiss priority UN organisations. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Project partners |
Contract partner United Nations Organization (UNO) |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 9'090'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 981'750 |
| Project phases | Phase 3 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2025 (Current phase) Phase 2 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2022 (Current phase) |