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UNSSC Career Booster for Junior Professional Officers
The course equips Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) at the mid-point or end of their assignment, with a common set of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will be essential for their current and future career in the United Nations (UN) system.
Career transitions require careful planning and consideration, starting with the "why," "what," and "when.".
Drawing from years of experience in JPO trainings, UNSSC now offers the Career Booster, an integral part of the Staff College's JPO Learning Pathway. This pathway aims to contribute to more significant outcomes, including enhancing JPOs' capacity to effectively fulfill their roles, preparing them for career transitions, and improving engagement culture and talent management within the UN family and affiliated organizations, in line with the UN 2.0 transformation.
Delivered and designed by leading learning professionals, industry experts, career coaches, and UN staff across the system, the course provides JPOs with a safe learning environment and space to develop their self-awareness and the skillset to excel in their current roles, while also enriching their career vision, planning, and advancement within the UN and beyond.
Moreover, it offers a unique opportunity for JPOs to reflect on the challenges of career planning, exchange experiences, and discuss potential solutions with their peers, enabling them to form genuine and influential connections.
You can read, watch and listen to what our Career Booster faculty has to say here.
Participants will be equipped with knowledge and skills useful for pursuing a career in the UN system.
At the end of the programme, JPOs will be able to:
- explain the importance of designing and leading a value-driven, meaningful and sustainable career
- describe current trends and skills which are expected of UN staff, both those of today and of the future
- take charge of formulating their career aspirations, setting realistic career goals, and putting together actionable career plans
- learn behavioral strategies to build resilience, boost learning and progress, and develop effective professional relationships
- effectively present their qualifications and highlight their competencies and talents
- recognize and practice effective interviewing techniques, including both competency-based and situational questions
- create, build and nurture a system-wide peer network of JPOs and professional contacts for future support, consultation, and available resources
This immersive learning experience builds on the Staff College's rich legacy and the evaluation data from face-to-face, blended and virtual programme editions for JPOs as well as the learning needs identified by JPOs and SARCs (Special Assistant to Resident Coordinator). It is designed to meet the needs of mid-assignment JPOs or JPOs who have completed at least one year of their assignment.
The programme combines the best signature elements of two deliveries, both online and in person learning environments with the added benefits of peer-to-peer collaboration. Participants are invited to apply their learning through application-oriented learning methodologies such as simulations, mock interviews, collaborative group exercises, peer-to-peer consultations, team discussions and dialogues with the subject-matter experts.
The pre – course work offers gradual immersion in the learning experience through a Learning Needs Assessment (LNA), access to an introductory forum, self-paced micro-modules on Pursuing Career in the UN (mandatory), UN System Leadership Framework (recommended), a one-to-one one-hour individual CV/P11/PHP/Cover letter review or CBI mock interview session, as well as curated resources.
The virtual week offers synchronous interaction through three mandatory webinars, including interaction with inspiring UN leaders/experts, a career panel with selected UN agencies, and inter-generational JPOs networking and career conversations, a DiSC assessment, and curated resources. Average engagement time up to seven hours per week.
The residential training (16 - 20 June) is composed of intensive residential instructor-led training through in-person engagement, practice, skills-building, individual and group activities, experience sharing, feedback from peers and the instructors, networking, peer-to-peer interactions, and action planning. Average engagement time per day is eight hours with additional time dedicated to social networking.
Day 1: Becoming a Leader in the UN (Upgrading Skills and Forward-Looking Culture for UN 2.0, Values and the Current State of Play in the UN recruitment, Contract Types and Job Profiles, Senior HR Director Personal Account of a Successful Leadership and Career in the UN)
Day 2: Fostering Growth Mindset (Building Your Effectiveness with Emotional Intelligence; Difficult conversations, Feedback, and Feedback Seeking; Boosting Learning and Progress; Team Learning Exercise)
Day 3: Leading With Intention (Leading a Meaningful Career; Habits Holding You Back and Attitudes Helping Career Advancement; Leadership of the Self (DiSC) Assessment Debriefing)
Day 4: Boosting Your Image (Direction and Framing Values, Reflection, Shared Perspectives; Self-perception, Communicating with Your Audience; Storytelling and Competencies; Presenting Your Best Self at Interviews, Mock Competency-Based Interviews)
Day 5: Actioning Your Career (Career Conversations with Your Supervisor, Networking as Your Ally, Way Forward, Peers as a Resource: Together is Better, Concluding Reflections, Evaluations)
* Based on the learning needs of the learners, some modifications to the agenda and time schedule are possible for both the virtual part of the course (find your local time zone: click here) and the residential week.
JPOs at headquarters and field locations in the UN. We also recommend the programme to JPOs deployed in affiliated entities, related organizations and other multilateral organizations who want to pursue a career in the UN System. By nomination and open enrolment.
When submitting your registration, please indicate in the "Motivation" section/ "Why did you apply for this learning activity?" the current year of your JPO assignment, the number of years remaining and the sponsoring member state. This information is mandatory to confirm your eligibility.
The course fee of $3,250 covers:
- Full participation in both the online and face-to-face components;
- DiSC Personality Profile Assessment and debriefing;
- Exclusive access to UNSSC's dedicated online learning environment, including the self-paced training module “Pursuing Your Career in the UN”, all programme materials, curated resources;
- CV/PHP/P11 and cover letter revamp or an individual competency-based mock interview in a 60-min one-on-one coaching with a certified executive coach;
- An opportunity for a few volunteers to take part in a mock competency-based interview (CBI);
- Unique peer-to-peer exchange and networking with other global JPOs;
- Full board and lodging at the UN Campus in Turin (including a welcome mingling evening);
- Continuous alumni community engagement and an opportunity to be featured in spotlight interviews on UNSSC website.
Note: It is important to note that registering for the programme does not guarantee selection. The fee does not cover eventual costs related to the participants' travel and insurance, participants are expected to cover costs for travel costs as well as accommodation costs for double occupancy if they are accompanied by a significant other or dependent. Please do not book flight tickets or accommodation without receiving a confirmation of selection into the course.
TESTIMONIALS
“I encourage all JPOs who have the means and time, to participate in the UNSSC JPO Career Booster. You will gain insiders' perspectives on the latest trends on careers in the UN and have the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals, but more importantly, you will become member of a global network of JPOs and be inspired through diversity in all its expressions. It is more than a career booster, it is a truly transformative experience that you will remember and tap into in the future.” Dean Chen (Chinese JPO, UNESCO Dakar Office)
"Exceeded expectations, leaving this training with greater confidence and self-awareness. Made meaningful and lifelong connections with an incredible, generous and inspiring group of people." Sally Swinnen (Australian JPO, UNDP, Climate, Peace and Security Analyst, Nigeria)
“This is one of the best trainings I have ever attended. It was extremely well organized, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with peers! I learned a great deal from both the facilitators and my fellow JPOs.” Alejandro Macias (American JPO, Associate Expert, ESCAP Thailand)
“Through this training, and through learning from 35 other young professionals who are also navigating the sometimes- complicated waters of a UN career, I came to the realization that, we are not alone, many of us have the same concerns, and many of us are going through the same experiences. When we are all together, we become a force to be reckoned with because we can leverage our skills and add to our individual toolkits. We are in fact, better together.” Elke-Esmeralda Dikoume, (USA JPO, Field Support Officer, UNICEF Cameroon)
“The UNSSC team is one of the best teams in the UN system that I have had the privilege to interact with. Their dedication, collegiality and professionalism comes across in every element of the course - from the formal program elements to the small personal touches such as social events, assistance with little requests, or prizes. A+++. This course should be essential for any JPO wishing to progress to a permanent career in the UN.” Millicent Allan (Australia JPO, Associate Human Rights Officer, OHCHR USA)
“The JPO Career Booster programme was a game-changer for me! It provided me with the knowledge, skills, tools, and networks which are all crucial for building a meaningful and lasting career in the UN system. If you're aspiring to build a long-term career in the UN, this training is an invaluable investment in your professional future!” Jordan Parker (Australian JPO, Programme Analyst, UNDP South Africa)
