Associate Experts Programme

The Netherlands Associate Experts Programme provides university graduates with the possibility of acquiring work experience with international organisations by contributing to policy formulation and implementation of activities in the field of development co-operation. The programme is open to Dutch candidates and candidates from developing countries.

Associate experts (also referred to as Junior Professional Officers (JPO's)) are posted with a number of UN organisations and international research institutes that maintain a relation of active collaboration with the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation (see List of Organisations Dutch AE/JPO/APO/JE Programme). Postings are funded only in countries which appear on the list of eligible countries Dutch AE/JPO/APO/JE Programme. Assignments are linked to the policy objectives of the Netherlands in the field of development cooperation. Positions are at entry-level.

In principle, the duration of an assignment is 36 months. This is also the maximum term. For each post a job description is prepared, offering a learning track. The organisations provide opportunities for learning in technical fields as well as with respect to personal skills according to predefined goals. Associate experts should be aware, however, that during their assignment job descriptions may be subject to modifications if the circumstances so require.

The associate expert will sign a labour contract with the organisation concerned. Salary and terms of employment are determined under an arrangement between the Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation and the organisation. The associate expert will initially be offered a contract for 12 months which can be extended to a maximum of three years in total. An assignment is limited to one posting, irrespective of the length of the posting.

Minimum qualification requirements

• Candidates have a study relevant to international cooperation concluding in a university degree at Msc or MA level; or a study relevant to international cooperation concluding in a degree at BSc or BA level plus a minimum of three years relevant working experience
• Candidates have not previously held positions as AE/JPO/APO/JE.
• The posting is outside the candidates' country of origin.

Additional requirements for candidates from the Netherlands:

• Candidates have Dutch nationality.

Additional requirements for candidates from developing countries:

• Candidates should be nationals of developing countries that appear on the list of eligible countries Dutch AE/JPO/APO/JE Programme.
• Part of the candidates' academic training must have taken place in a developing country that appears on the list of eligible countries Dutch AE/JPO/APO/JE Programme.

In addition to these requirements, all candidates should preferably meet a number of supplementary criteria, such as:

• Be able to demonstrate their interest in international cooperation.
• Have a working knowledge of a second official UN language.

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Applications

For available vacancies under the Dutch 'quota' (for candidates who have Dutch nationality, please see vacancies for Dutch candidates on our Dutch language website and/or Vacatureblad Internationale Samenwerking.

For available vacancies for candidates from eligible developing countries, please see vacancies on our English language website.

Most vacancies will be advertised in March, April and May.

Only applications for a specific vacancy will be considered. You should send your application to the organisation/contact person as mentioned in the advertisement and not to this ministry.

Candidates with partners who also wish to work in the country of their posting, are strongly advised to inquire with the organisation whether labour legislation in the country concerned allow partners to work.

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Selection procedure

Selection and recruitment of candidates are carried out by the organisations. The names and addresses of three referees are required. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

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Questions

The Associate Experts Programme is administered by the United Nations and International Financial Institutions Department (DVF) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands outsourced (part of) the management of the programme to Nedworc Foundation.

If you have questions about the programme, please contact Nedworc Foundation (phone number: + 31 30 693 2912; e-mail address: jpo@nedworcfoundation.nl).

Questions about the organisations and job vacancies should be addressed directly to the organisations concerned.

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