Belgium Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme

About the opportunity

The United Nations Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme funded by Belgium provides young experts with professional experience within UN organizations, funds, programs, and offices involved in international development. JPOs work at UN headquarters, regional offices, or in one of Belgium’s partner countries. Participants work under the guidance of senior staff and contribute to defining, formulating, executing, monitoring, and evaluating development programs.

Salary and benefits

• One-year initial employment contract with the UN organization, renewable up to a maximum of 3 years upon positive evaluation.
• International civil servant status.
• Salary paid in US dollars based on United Nations salary scales.
• Pension contributions paid by Belgium to the ONSS or the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.
• Direct mentorship from senior staff members.

Who can apply?

• Must hold Belgian nationality (a limited number of posts may be reserved for partner country candidates when explicitly announced).
• Must hold a Master's degree.
• Must have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience related to the position.
• Must be 32 years old or younger as of December 31 of the call year.
• Must possess strong proficiency in UN working languages, particularly English and French.

Required documents

• UN Personal History form
• Cover letter (letter of motivation)
• Copies of university diploma(s)
• Work certificates/attestations
• Copy of national identity card or passport

When to apply

• Current calls for application close on September 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. EST (New York time).
• Vacancies are published as budget and available slots permit; interested applicants can subscribe to the official email notification list to receive alerts.

How to apply

• Review open job descriptions on the FPS Foreign Affairs page during the active call period.
• Submit applications directly to the hiring UN organization using the official link provided on the web page.
• Complete the UN Personal History form carefully, utilizing keywords from the job description and providing concrete, measurable examples of professional achievements.
• If shortlisted based on CV and cover letter evaluation, participate in an online competency-based interview.

Additional information

• Active positions include JPO in Political Affairs (EOSG, New York, USA), JPO in Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA, East Jerusalem, oPt), and JPO in Coordination (RCS, Côte d'Ivoire).
• JPO posts are funded across 18 UN partner entities including UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, FAO, UNHCR, WHO, UNRWA, ILO, UNFPA, UNAIDS, UN Women, UNEP, IOM, OHCHR, OCHA, OSRSG-CAAC, OSRSG-SVC, and CEB.
• Direct contact for enquiries: jpo@diplobel.fed.be.