Looking Back - 20 years of UNSSC’s JPO Orientation Programme | UNSSC

Our Journey

What a time to celebrate!

UNSSC’s Junior Professional Officer Orientation Programme - known fondly as the JPO programme - is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year!

JPOs are recruited under bilateral agreements between the UN and donor countries, with the main objective to provide young professionals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of multilateral international cooperation and to contribute to the advancement and furtherance of their organization’s mandate.

Since 2003, UNSSC has been a key partner of various United Nations agencies in running a programme that prepares these young professionals for their future career with leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence training, as well as providing inter-agency networking opportunities.

Over the years, the face of the programme has changed significantly from the initiation of the first edition through a partnership with the Government of Italy and the UN Department of Economics and Social Affairs, to its steady growth as the college partnered with more member states.

Here are some key milestones from 20 years of orientation programming for Junior Professional Officers!

2003

A group photo of the first cohort of Junior Professional Officers. Italy was the first country to fund the programme.

2007

The JPO programme was originally known as the young professional’s orientation programme.

2018

This edition had 69 participants based in 30 duty stations across the world. It had five donor countries; Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and for the first time since inception, Belgium! Learn more about this edition here.

2020

The year the first virtual edition of the JPO Orientation Programme took place due to covid-19 pandemic restrictions. You can view the summary video here or read our recap blog.

2022

The largest cohort of Junior Professional Officers thus far, with a record 140 participants from 53 UN Agencies and 31 Duty Stations sponsored by 8 Member States.

2023

This cohort had 61 participants based in 22 duty stations across the world. The participants were from 9 member countries, which was the highest recorded JPO country participation so far. This blended edition included two weeks of online learning and one week of face-to-face learning at the UNSSC campus.

2023

This year hosted the first Orientation programme tailored for the Italian JPOs. UNSSC hosted 46 Italian JPOs from 24 duty stations in Turin Italy for eight days of face-to-face learning on the various skills needed to navigate the UN system.

Key Numbers

1183

JPOs

21

Editions

10

Participating Countries (2023 Edition)

Testimonials

Layla Abi-falah

Associate Expert in Human Rights, OHCHR, Geneva

"The UNSSC Staff help JPOs feel ready and confident to begin their assignments by facilitating their entry into the UN System and building a sense of community among JPOs."

Marline Bos

JPO in Regional Communications and Advocacy, DCO, Addis Ababa

“Besides the fact that it was inspiring to interact with so many like-minded people, and to reflect on what it takes to be a young leader within the UN and the world as it is today, this JPO introduction also opened my eyes to the many possibilities that exist for personal learning and development within the UN system.”

LeAnna Roaf

Associate Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations, New York

“This program helped me feel like I was part of a community. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn with other JPOs and to join the UN more informed and prepared to do my job well. Thank you!”

Henri Salomon

Junior Professional Officer Data & Visualization, SNU DMSPC, New York

“The 2022 Virtual JPO Orientation Programme was an incredible experience, allowing me to get to know peers and former JPOs. I feel prepared to face any challenge and opportunity in the UN system. Thank you, UN System Staff College!”

Jonas Van Hooff

Programme Management Officer, DPPA-DPO, New York

"A great programme that gave me a solid foundation on the necessary skills, substance, and networking to deliver my job responsibilities."

Media

2023 JPO Orientation Programme for Italian JPOs

JPO Orientation 2022 Video

2019 - JPO Orientation Programme

Blog posts