Junior Professional Officer Programme

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 .

(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

Principaux résultats attendus:  

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.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:   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.