From induction to impact: Equipping young professionals at the UN | UNSSC

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller 

Helen Keller’s words resonate deeply in the context of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, where progress is rarely achieved in isolation. Success is not just about individual effort, it is about collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and building and maintaining meaningful professional relationships. This is a key focus of the Junior Professional Officers (JPO) Orientation Programme, delivered by UNSSC in partnership with UN DESA and member states equipping young professionals not only with critical UN knowledge but also peer-to-peer learning, the networks and skills necessary to thrive in their roles as JPOs and beyond. Peer communities of practice enable JPOs to share their experiences and develop solutions to common challenges. Building developmental relationships sustains growth beyond any single training.  

Since its inception in 2003, the JPO Orientation Programme by UNSSC has been designed as the only system-wide induction to prepare young professionals for their roles within the UN system and other multilateral organizations. Offering core curriculum is critical for ensuring incoming JPOs build strong foundations of UN system knowledge and build the critical skills that would allow them to operate effectively in their roles. This induction programme creates consistencies in preparedness across JPOs irrespective of which country sponsors them and equips JPOs with the baseline capabilities required for early productivity.  It importantly fosters sharing best practices, experiences, mutual support and drives community building and immersion among global JPOs.   

Drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience within the represented international institutions, this induction programme helps JPOs land in their JPO assignments and develop the skills and insights they need to make meaningful contributions to the diverse mandates of the agencies and organizations they join. JPOs bring outside perspectives, new capabilities and energy that can positively contribute to the UN’s transformation. Providing JPOs platforms to contribute solutions and influence change is a way of recognizing their potential as change agents. fosters sharing best practices, experiences, mutual support and drives community building and immersion.   

Strengthening connections in a changing multilateral context 

The Global Edition of the JPO Orientation Programme took place across two editions—in October 2024 and January 2025—bringing together 108 JPOs sponsored by 9 member states, Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, the United States of America, and Italy.  The latest editions of the programme occurred within a challenging multilateral context, where international cooperation is more important than ever. Strengthening connections and relationships across the UN system and other international organizations is not just beneficial; it is essential to tackling global issues effectively when they are most at stake now. 

Given this evolving context, the only inter-agency system-wide JPO orientation programme has become even more crucial in onboarding young professionals with essential knowledge, competencies, and leadership skills. It serves as a bridge for new talent to integrate into the UN system and other multilateral organizations while fostering collaboration, adaptability, and resilience. Through peer-to-peer networking opportunities, JPOs not only gain insight into the workings of these institutions but also form lasting professional relationships that shape their careers and leadership potential.