Junior Professional Officer (JPO)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established to address global population issues, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to promote reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in the areas of family planning, maternal health, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2026-2029 outlines its response to complex global challenges, emphasizing resilience and renewal in its programs. The organization values principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, ensuring effective external relations and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Job Overview:
The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) position at UNFPA is designed for recent graduates or early-career professionals who are looking to gain experience in the field of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The JPO will work under the supervision of the CSE Programme Coordinator and collaborate closely with technical officers in various branches of the organization. The role involves supporting the implementation of UNFPA's strategic plan outputs related to CSE, which includes designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs. The JPO will also engage in partnership-building with relevant organizations and government agencies to promote CSE initiatives. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop skills in project design, budget preparation, and effective communication, while also gaining insights into the UN system and the role of UNFPA among other UN agencies. The JPO will participate in training programs, including an orientation at UNFPA Headquarters in New York and a Career Bootcamp workshop in their final year, aimed at enhancing their career development and professional networks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The JPO will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including: assisting in the implementation of UNFPA's strategic plan outputs related to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); supporting the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of CSE programs; developing and maintaining partnerships with organizations, government agencies, and community-based organizations to promote CSE; liaising with Regional and Country Offices and implementing partners to conduct formative research and document best practices; disseminating the UNFPA Internal Strategy on Addressing CSE opposition; drafting donor proposals and technical reports; providing communication support through blog posts and social media content; organizing high-level events, workshops, webinars, and teleconferences related to CSE; and performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, medical sciences, public health, international development, or related fields with specialized knowledge of CSE, SRHR, or GBV. In exceptional cases, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of relevant working experience may be considered. The role requires a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in areas such as human rights, gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights, GBV, or comprehensive sexuality education. Prior experience in developing countries is considered an asset, and work experience within the UN system should not exceed one year, including UNV, paid UN internships, and UN consultancies. All paid work experience since obtaining a Bachelor’s degree will be considered, while internship and voluntary work experience (other than UNV) will not be counted.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, medical sciences, public health, or international development, with a focus on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), or Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may be considered if they have a minimum of four years of relevant working experience.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in fields related to human rights, gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights, GBV, or comprehensive sexuality education. If candidates hold a Bachelor’s degree, they must have at least four years of relevant experience. Experience in developing countries is advantageous, while work experience within the UN system is limited to a maximum of one year, including any UNV, paid internships, or consultancies. All paid work experience since obtaining a Bachelor’s degree will be considered, but internship and voluntary work experience outside of UNV will not be counted.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages such as Arabic, French, or Spanish is considered an asset. Candidates should possess the ability to write clearly and concisely in English, which is essential for drafting reports, proposals, and communication materials.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is exclusively open to nationals of the Netherlands. The maximum age limit for applicants is 32 years as of December 31 of the year of application. The JPO position includes a Duty Travel and Training Allowance (DTTA) of $4000 per year, which can be utilized for learning activities related to the assignment and career development. The role emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and cultural diversity, and UNDP is committed to creating an inclusive workplace free from harassment and discrimination. The organization reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for similar positions at the same grade level.