UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program: Program Management Officer (P2)

Through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), the United States sponsors qualified U.S. citizens for employment in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

These fully funded JPO positions strengthen the capacity of UNDRR, and further encourage U.S. citizens to become active members of the international community. After completing their JPO assignments, a number of JPOs successfully compete for positions at UNDRR and in other international and non-governmental organizations.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Output Expectations

Within delegated authority, the Program Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Works with key clients to facilitate the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programs/projects; monitors and analyzes specific aspects of program/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.  
• Carries out research on selected aspects of programs, operations, and other activities to include collecting, analyzing, and presenting data and other information gathered from diverse sources concerning disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change, and all aspects of sustainable development.  
• Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, including draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive and administrative support to, and engages in meetings of, UN governance bodies such as the General Assembly, UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and their subsidiary bodies, as well as to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparation of background documents, presentations, speeches, and talking points, as well as handling logistics, etc.
• Supports the preparation of missions to and meetings in New York of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the senior management of UNDRR.
• Undertakes outreach activities; may represent UNDRR in interagency meetings and liaise, as appropriate, with delegates, UN officers, and other stakeholders; participates in the organization of side events, seminars, and outreach events; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Applicants must be no older than 32 years of age as of December 31 of the year of application.

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in DRR, political science, international relations, development, social and environmental sciences, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience: In combination with an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree), a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project/program management, partnerships, DRR, climate change action, sustainable development, political affairs, or related areas. 

OR, in combination with a first-level university degree, a minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in project/program management, partnerships, DRR, climate change action, sustainable development, political affairs, or related areas. 

Experience working on inter-governmental and/or inter-agency processes in an international organization is desirable. Experience working in civil society organizations is desirable. 

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the UN. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official language(s) spoken in the region is desirable.

Other Skills: Experience in the use of computers and proficiency in office software and packages, as well as good knowledge of and experience in handling web-based management systems.

Application instructions

The JPO Program selection process is carried out jointly by USAID/BHA and UNDRR.

To apply please send the following to BHA.JPOCoordinator@usaid.gov:

1. Completed UN Personal History Statement (P11) (see link below);
2. Resume (CV) and;
3. Cover letter to explain your interest in this position.

Please state which position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. If you wish to apply for multiple USAID/BHA-sponsored JPO positions, please complete a Personal History Statement (P11) for each position and submit these to us in separate emails with the appropriate subject heading.

Application Details:

Please complete the UN Personal History Statement (P11) thoroughly. The P11 provides the opportunity to include all required information in one document, including your professional work experience and references. Please attach a cover letter to explain your interest in the position and interest in working with the UN, along with a general resume.The P11 has instructions on how to complete the profile; however, please be sure to also follow the additional instructions below:

• The P11 must be completed in English only. You can find the P11 form on the USAID/BHA Jobs website.
• You may leave the signature/date sections blank at this time. If selected for a JPO position, you will then need to submit a signed version.
• Do not submit a photograph.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Deadline:

Monday, February 27, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) For more information please consult the USAID/BHA Jobs website.