Through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), the United States sponsors qualified U.S. citizens for employment in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)  Junior Professional Officer (JPO) program and in the International Organization for Migration (IOM)  JPO Program. The Bureau sponsors and funds these programs to demonstrate the U.S. Government’s commitment to helping refugees, victims of conflict, and vulnerable migrants around the world as well as to support U.S. citizen employment in the UN.

These fully funded staffing programs strengthen the capacity of UNHCR and IOM. The JPO programs also encourage U.S. citizens to become active members of the international community. After completing their JPO assignments, many JPOs successfully compete for positions at UNHCR, IOM, and in other international and non-governmental humanitarian organizations.

Competition for the JPO program is keen. Although the qualifications for the positions vary by assignment, a graduate or law degree in a relevant discipline and proficiency in at least one U.N. working language in addition to English are strongly preferred. Competitive applicants generally possess three or more years of work experience in a developing country and an academic background in fields related to humanitarian assistance, forced migration, human rights, development or immigration law, for example. Prior work experience in or familiarity with the UN system is also helpful. The JPO selection processes are carried out by UNHCR or IOM with PRM approval. For more information please consult the Frequently Asked Questions and check back for more openings.

IOM JPO Vacancies

Please check this page periodically for vacancy updates. Interested U.S. citizen candidates can apply here .

If you would like to be notified when new JPO vacancies are announced, you can subscribe here.    If you subscribe, updates will be sent to you from usstatebpa@subscriptions.fcg.gov. Please monitor your spam and junk mail folders to ensure you are not blocking emails from this address.

To learn of other international career opportunities available to U.S. Citizens please see the Department of State, Bureau of International Organization’s career website.

Privacy Act Statement for Junior Professional Officer and Associate Expert Program

AUTHORITIES: The information is sought pursuant to 4422 U.S.C. 2601.
PURPOSE: The information solicited on this subscription request will be used by the U.S. Department of State to distribute Junior Professional Officer vacancy notices, updates, and to be added to the email subscription list, as requested by the user.
ROUTINE USES: The information submitted will be stored and may be shared with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and International Organization for Migration for the purpose of potential employment.
DISCLOSURE: Providing this information is voluntary; however, failure to provide this information may prevent the individual from receiving the information requested.

UNHCR JPO Vacancies

 All applicants must apply directly through the UNHCR e-recruitment system: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/careers.html   . Click on the blue button “See Current UNHCR Vacancies”, and use the search function for JPO posts.