The International Maritime Organization is accepting Member State nominations for a Junior Professional Officer opportunity in evaluation, social research and monitoring. Applicants need a relevant degree and at least two years of experience. Deadline: 31 December 2026.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) opportunity within its Internal Oversight and Ethics Office, under the Office of the Secretary-General.
The position focuses on evaluation, social research, project monitoring and the assessment of technical cooperation activities. It is intended for professionals with relevant academic qualifications and experience in evaluation methods, data analysis and project management.
Important: This opportunity is funded through a sponsoring IMO Member State. Individual candidates cannot apply directly to IMO; nominations must be submitted through the relevant sponsoring Member State.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
| Position | Junior Professional Officer |
| Position number | JPO 25-01 |
| Administrative number | ADMIN/25/43 |
| Office | Internal Oversight and Ethics Office |
| Department | Office of the Secretary-General |
| Main focus | Evaluation, research and monitoring |
| Minimum experience | 2 years of relevant professional experience |
| Academic qualification | Degree in social sciences, evaluation or a related field |
| Appointment level | P-2 |
| Contract duration | Up to 3 years, subject to funding and performance |
| Application route | Sponsoring Member State nomination |
| Nomination deadline | 31 December 2026 |
About the IMO JPO Opportunity
The IMO Junior Professional Officer Programme allows Member States to sponsor young professionals to gain practical experience within the organisation.
The JPO 25-01 position supports the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office in strengthening evaluation processes and improving the assessment of IMO technical cooperation activities.
The successful candidate will work under the overall guidance of the Head of the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office and the direct supervision of the Evaluation Officer.
Key Responsibilities
The selected candidate will contribute to several evaluation and monitoring activities, including:
Evaluation management: Supporting the planning, organisation and implementation of mid-term reviews and terminal evaluations.
Research and data analysis: Collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative information to support assessments and identify gaps.
Stakeholder engagement: Helping organise meetings, interviews, presentations and workshops and supporting dialogue among relevant stakeholders.
Project design and monitoring: Contributing technical advice and capacity development related to logical frameworks, theory of change and evaluation approaches.
Knowledge management: Compiling and summarising information on completed, ongoing and upcoming evaluation activities.
Quality assurance: Supporting evaluation quality assurance, monitoring activities and improvements to evaluation processes.
The role also involves helping improve feedback mechanisms for technical cooperation workshops, including electronic questionnaires and real-time analysis.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the academic and professional requirements outlined in the official vacancy circular.
Academic Qualifications
Candidates must hold a university degree in social sciences, evaluation or a related field.
Professional Experience
Applicants need at least two years of demonstrated professional experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Development-oriented evaluation.
- Social research.
- Project management.
- Monitoring.
Candidates should also have experience applying multiple data collection methods, including surveys, analysis and triangulation.
Experience developing theories of change, logical frameworks or other logical models is relevant. The vacancy also specifies experience in mainstreaming gender and human rights into evaluations.
Technical and Professional Skills
The general IMO JPO requirements include:
- Excellent research and analytical skills.
- Ability to prepare reports and briefing notes.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to work independently and in teams.
- Strong organisational skills and initiative.
- Ability to manage demanding workloads.
- Integrity, discretion, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Competence in Microsoft Office.
Language Requirements
An excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other official IMO languages is an advantage.
Contract Duration and Employment Conditions
IMO JPO appointments are subject to funding by the sponsoring Member State.
The initial appointment is generally funded for one year, with the possibility of yearly extensions to a total of up to three years, subject to requirements and satisfactory performance.
JPOs are engaged at the P-2 level and undertake substantive assignments while receiving on-the-job training and familiarisation.
The sponsoring Member State is responsible for the costs associated with the appointment under the applicable funding arrangements.
Completion of the JPO assignment does not guarantee permanent employment with IMO.
How the Nomination Process Works
The IMO JPO programme requires candidates to be nominated by a sponsoring Member State.
The nomination must include:
- A nomination letter from the sponsoring Member State.
- A covering letter from the candidate explaining their motivation and relevant experience.
- An up-to-date IMO Personal History Form (PHF).
The candidate’s covering letter should specifically explain their suitability for the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office position.
Nominations must be sent by the sponsoring Member State to rsd@imo.org, with the relevant position number quoted in the subject line.
Candidates should contact their national authority to establish whether their country will sponsor the position and whether an earlier internal application deadline applies.
Application Deadline
The deadline for Member State nominations is:
31 December 2026
This is the date by which nominations must reach IMO. Candidates should not assume that they can submit their documents directly to IMO or wait until December to contact their national sponsoring authority.
How to Apply
Review the official IMO JPO vacancy information and general programme requirements before beginning the nomination process.
Explore IMO Junior Professional Officer Opportunities – Official Website
Download the General Information and Requirements for IMO JPO Positions
Candidates must follow their sponsoring Member State’s procedures. Direct applications to IMO are not accepted.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This position may be suitable for professionals with backgrounds in social sciences, evaluation, monitoring, development research and project management.
Candidates with experience in mixed-methods data collection, evaluation frameworks, gender-responsive evaluation and human rights integration may find the responsibilities particularly relevant.
The sponsorship requirement is a critical eligibility consideration. Applicants should first establish whether their country is prepared to nominate candidates before investing time in the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMO JPO 25-01 position?
It is a Junior Professional Officer position within IMO’s Internal Oversight and Ethics Office, focusing on evaluation, research and monitoring.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants need a university degree in social sciences, evaluation or a related field.
How much work experience is required?
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is required.
Which professional backgrounds are suitable?
Relevant backgrounds include development-oriented evaluation, social research, project management and monitoring.
What is the contract duration?
The appointment may extend for up to three years, subject to funding, requirements and satisfactory performance.
What is the salary?
The circular states that JPOs are engaged at the P-2 level, but the supplied text does not specify an exact salary amount.
Can candidates apply directly to IMO?
No. Only nominations submitted through the sponsoring Member State are accepted.
What documents are required?
The nomination must include a sponsoring Member State nomination letter, the candidate’s covering letter and an up-to-date IMO Personal History Form.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for Member State nominations is 31 December 2026.
Does the programme guarantee a permanent job?
No. IMO states that there is no expectation of permanent employment after the JPO assignment ends.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is sharing this opportunity for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with the International Maritime Organization and do not recruit applicants on its behalf. Candidates should verify eligibility and nomination procedures through the official IMO documents and the relevant national authority before proceeding.
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