United Nations – UN-Secretariat Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-27 - JPO in Programme Management (Digital Cooperation & Technology)

United Nations – UN-Secretariat
Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-27
TERMS OF REFERENCE
I. General Information
Title: JPO in Programme Management (Digital Cooperation & Technology)
Sector of Assignment: Programme Management
Organization/Office: United Nations / Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET)
Country and Duty Station: New York, USA
Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The
extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of
funds, and satisfactory performance
Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are
mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of
the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university
degree (usually bachelor’s degree).
II. Supervision
Title of Supervisor:
Senior Programme Management Officer
Content and methodology of supervision:
Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior
Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed
upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and
his/her supervisor.
Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve
as a primary platform to evaluate of the JPO’s performance.
III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations
Within delegated authority, the Junior Professional Officer will be responsible for the following
duties:
• Researches, analyzes and presents information on the issue of digital technology and
emerging technology issues of relevance for the Organization gathered from diverse
sources.
• Provides up-to-date expertise and support on issues related to digital cooperation, as
covered by Global Digital Compact and the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for
Digital Cooperation.
• Liaises and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of
the Global Digital Compact and the Road map for Digital Cooperation.
• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects on digital
cooperation and emerging technology, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project
development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies
problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with
relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. speeches and statements, draft
background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, report on meetings and
events, inputs to publications, relevant communications material etc.
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences,
etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participant.
IV. Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in political science, international relations, public administration, business
administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field.
Work experience:
A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in international relations, public diplomacy
or public relations is required. Experience working on digital technologies, frontier
technologies or digital cooperation-related issues is highly desirable. Experience working
with the United Nations or other international organizations is desirable. Experience working
with a grassroot, civil society organization and/or start-up work environment in a developing
country is desirable. Experience coordinating diverse stakeholders, including government
entities, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and the scientific community will be
an advantage.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position,
fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
UN competencies:
PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional
competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting
commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather
than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
Remains calm in stressful situations.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits
input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places
team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group
decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for
team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed
strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and
allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as
necessary; Uses time efficiently.
Workforce Diversity
The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages
all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or
religious backgrounds, to apply.
V. Learning Elements
On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to:
• Developed understanding and expertise with digital cooperation and emerging technology
issues.
• Strengthened writing, political analysis and reporting skills in producing work products for
use by senior UN officials.
• Managed projects and programmes related to digital cooperation, including necessary
substantive engagement, outreach and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
VI. Background Information
The position is located in the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies
(UNODET). UNODET was established on 1 January 2025, with a mandate to: (a) advise the
senior leadership of the United Nations on key trends in technology, so as to guide the strategic
approach taken by the Organization on such issues; (b) serve as advocate and focal point for
digital cooperation, through engagement with Member States, the technology industry, civil
society and other stakeholders; (c) facilitate multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on digital and
emerging technologies; (d) strengthen system-wide coordination within and across the United
Nations system on digital and emerging technologies; (e) support the follow-up and
implementation of the Global Digital Compact (A/RES/79/1 Annex 1).
Through the Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging
Technologies, UNODET also leads the implementation of the Secretary-General's vision on
digital cooperation by working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups,
facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation, seizing on the opportunities that
are presented by technology – while mitigating the risks – so that progress towards achieving
the Goals by 2030 can be made collectively, as well as carrying out other related duties and
responsibilities assigned by the Secretary-General, including follow up actions from the
Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the report "Our Common Agenda".
Bitte senden Sie Ihre JPO-Bewerbung direkt an das Büro
Führungskräfte zu Internationalen Organisationen (BFIO) unter
Angabe der Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-27 auf dem Bewerbungsbogen