The Italian Junior Professional Officers Programme – also known as the JPO Programme – is a multilateral development cooperation initiative sponsored by the Government of Italy and implemented by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA).

The purpose of the Programme is two-fold: a) to assist international organizations in carrying out their activities by providing them with gratis skilled personnel; b) to allow qualified young professionals seeking an international career to make a relevant experience that could broaden their chances of recruitment in international organizations or in the international field.

The Programme stems from a United Nations Economic and Social Council resolution adopted in 1961, which approved and encouraged the collaboration of volunteers (funded by their respective countries of origin) in development cooperation initiatives and programmes.

Italy joined this scheme in the mid-1970’s and over the years developed it into a full Programme, extending its sponsorship from the UN Secretariat and relevant Bodies to entities and specialized agencies of the UN system, as well as other international organizations with which the Italian Government entered into specific agreements. To date, Italy has sponsored more than 1,900 Junior Professional Officers. In agreement with the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA) disseminates information on the Italian JPO Programme, manages the application process and performs the assessment and short-listing of candidates. Responsibility for the final selection of candidates lies with the respective UN agencies and international organizations to which the Junior Professional Officers will be assigned.