UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme 2026
Entry into the United Nations system through your country's sponsored Junior Professional Officer track.
The UN JPO Programme places young professionals from sponsor countries into substantive positions in UN agencies for 2-4 years. It is the most reliable entry route into the UN system for emerging diplomats, lawyers, economists and development specialists.
How it works
Each year, sponsor countries (donor governments) fund a number of JPO positions across UN agencies. You apply through your country's foreign ministry or development agency — not directly to the UN. Selected JPOs receive UN staff contracts at the P-2 grade.
What you get
UN P-2 salary (approximately $70,000-$95,000 plus post adjustments and benefits), assignment to a substantive role for 2 years (often extendable to 4), exposure to senior UN leadership, and an inside track to long-term UN careers.
Eligibility
Citizen of a JPO sponsor country (check your country's eligibility), master's degree in a relevant field, 2-4 years of professional experience, fluency in English and ideally a second UN language, under 32 years old at application.
