The International Maritime Organization lists seven Junior Professional Officer opportunities across conference, marine environment, maritime safety and oversight functions, with Member State nominations closing 31 December 2026.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has listed seven Junior Professional Officer (JPO) opportunities across several departments, including the Conference Division, Marine Environment Division, Maritime Safety Division, and Internal Oversight and Ethics Office.
The JPO Programme gives young professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience in international cooperation while working under the supervision of specialists. Applications are not accepted directly from candidates; nominations must be submitted through the sponsoring IMO Member State.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
| Programme | Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme |
| Opportunity type | Early-career international professional experience |
| Location | Depends on the individual position |
| Sponsorship | IMO Member States |
| Number of listed opportunities | 7 |
| Nomination deadline | 31 December 2026 |
| Direct applications | Not accepted |
| Application route | Nomination through the sponsoring Member State |
About the IMO Junior Professional Officer Programme
The IMO JPO Programme is designed to provide young professionals with practical experience in multilateral international cooperation.
Participants gain exposure to the work of the organisation under specialist supervision while contributing to its mandate. Sponsoring Member States also have an opportunity to provide professional experience to their young nationals.
JPO positions are separate from posts financed through IMO’s regular budget. The sponsoring Member State accepts responsibility for the costs associated with the JPO.
Listed IMO JPO Opportunities for 2026
The official IMO careers page lists the following seven opportunities:
| Reference | Position or department | Nomination deadline |
|---|---|---|
| JPO 23-05 | Junior Professional Officer, Conference Division | 31 December 2026 |
| JPO 24-05 | Junior Professional Officer, Marine Environment Division | 31 December 2026 |
| JPO 25-01 | Junior Professional Officer, Internal Oversight and Ethics Office | 31 December 2026 |
| JPO 25-02 | Junior Professional Officer, Maritime Safety Division | 31 December 2026 |
| JPO 26-02 | Junior Professional Officer, Marine Environment Division | 31 December 2026 |
| JPO 26-03 | Junior Professional Officer, Maritime Safety Division | 31 December 2026 |
| JPO 26-04 | Junior Professional Officer, Maritime Safety Division | 31 December 2026 |
Candidates should open the individual vacancy circulars to review the specific responsibilities, qualifications and other requirements for each position.
Who Can Apply?
The supplied IMO programme page does not provide a single, detailed eligibility checklist covering all seven positions.
Because JPO appointments are sponsored by Member States, interested candidates should first determine whether their country sponsors the relevant opportunity and obtain the applicable nomination instructions.
Academic qualifications, professional experience, language requirements and other criteria should be checked in the individual position circular and the general information document.
How the Nomination Process Works
The IMO JPO Programme follows a different process from ordinary online recruitment.
Step 1: Review the opportunities. Identify the JPO position that matches your professional background and interests.
Step 2: Check eligibility. Read the individual vacancy circular and the general requirements document.
Step 3: Contact the sponsoring Member State. Obtain information about the country’s nomination process and whether it is accepting candidates for the position.
Step 4: Follow the national application procedure. Submit the required information and documents according to the sponsoring country’s instructions.
Step 5: Await nomination and selection. IMO considers nominations submitted through the relevant sponsoring Member State.
Important: Sending an application directly to IMO is not an accepted route for this programme.
Application Deadline
The official IMO page lists 31 December 2026 as the closing date for receipt of Member State nominations for all seven positions.
This is the deadline for nominations, not necessarily the deadline for candidates to submit documents to their national authorities. Individual sponsoring countries may establish earlier internal deadlines.
How to Apply
Start by reviewing the official IMO JPO programme page and opening the circular for the position you are interested in.
Explore IMO Junior Professional Officer Opportunities – Official Website
The page also provides a general information document outlining requirements for IMO JPO positions.
Read General Information and Requirements for IMO JPO Positions
Opportunities Feed Assessment
These opportunities may be relevant to young professionals interested in maritime safety, marine environmental protection, international cooperation, conferences and institutional oversight.
The most important consideration is the sponsorship requirement. Candidates should not assume that the opportunities are open to every nationality or that the nomination deadline permits direct individual applications.
Reviewing the position circulars and contacting the relevant national sponsoring authority early will help candidates understand their eligibility and the correct application procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMO Junior Professional Officer Programme?
It is an international programme that gives young professionals practical experience in multilateral cooperation under the supervision of specialists.
How many JPO opportunities are listed?
The supplied IMO page lists seven opportunities across four functional areas.
Which departments have opportunities?
The listed areas are the Conference Division, Marine Environment Division, Maritime Safety Division, and Internal Oversight and Ethics Office.
Can candidates apply directly to IMO?
No. IMO states that only nominations submitted through the respective sponsoring Member State will be considered.
What is the deadline?
The published deadline for receipt of Member State nominations is 31 December 2026.
Can applicants from any country apply?
The supplied page does not establish universal eligibility. Candidates must check the relevant sponsoring Member State’s participation and nomination requirements.
Are all seven positions the same?
No. They cover different functions and have separate vacancy circulars. Candidates should check the requirements for their preferred position.
Who pays for the JPO positions?
The IMO states that sponsoring Member States accept responsibility for the costs related to the JPO.
Where can candidates find the vacancy details?
Candidates can access the official IMO JPO page and open the circular corresponding to each reference number.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is sharing these opportunities for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with the International Maritime Organization and do not recruit applicants on its behalf. Candidates should confirm eligibility, sponsoring-country procedures and nomination deadlines with the relevant national authority and consult the official IMO vacancy documents before proceeding.
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