How to apply:
Junior Professional Officer
Programme
CIMO Information Event
Helsinki, September 2011
JPO Recruitment Process
•
Vacancies advertised online (CIMO & Foreign Ministry)
•
Online application system
• Application Form (Personal History Form)
• Motivation letter
• Photo
•
Aptitude tests
•
Written tests
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Competency based interviews
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Reference checks
•
Selection
JPO Qualifications required
Minimum requirements for Finnish JPO applicants:
• Master’s degree in relevant field
• Relevant work experience of at least one year
• Relevant technical competencies for the specific post
• Proficiency in the working language of the receiving
office (other UNDP languages will be an asset)
• Strong commitment to development
• Excellent IT skills
• Other donor specific requirements: Finnish nationality
and max. 32 years of age
The competencies we’re looking for
Core Competencies for JPOs in UNDP:
• Ethics and Values (integrity, diversity)
• Working in teams
• Communicating information and ideas (knowledge
sharing)
• Self management/emotional intelligence (stress
management, flexibility)
• Decision making (organizational skills, results
orientation)
Preparing to apply
•
Know yourself and your competencies: is this the position for
me?
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Do I meet the qualifications and experience requirements?
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What do I know about this particular job?
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What do I know about the organisation?
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Have I considered all the implications if I am given the
position? (Moving abroad, leaving family, culture shock)
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Will I actually take the job if I am selected?
Writing your application
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Always tailor the motivation letter and application form to the
vacancy announcement
•
Identify key words related to knowledge, qualifications and
competencies
•
Think about what message you want to send
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Keep the layout and formatting simple, yet appealing
•
Use action verbs
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Be careful with acronyms
•
Try to stand out
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Make sure there are no mistakes!
Motivation Letter
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Be brief and to the point
•
Use a positive motivation for applying
•
Let your personality, interest and enthusiasm shine
through
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Draw attention to the obvious
•
“Make the match” : Summarize your qualifications and
competencies so that there is an obvious match
between the vacancy announcement and you
Application form
Application form
Online application form
•
Always tailor the application form to the vacancy announcement
•
Fill in all fields
•
List all academic awards, scholarships, fellowships, professional
memberships, community activities, incl. volunteer work
•
Make sure that contact details for references/former and current
supervisor are updated
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Language skills - you may be asked to demonstrate during an interview
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Hobbies and listings of travel activity – are they relevant?
•
“Description of your duties” should highlight your responsibilities,
competencies and achievements – let us know what you have done!
Now – I’ve been given an interview –
what next?
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Be flexible and non-demanding with timing
•
Find out as much as you can about the organisation, including
mandate, publications, organigram, strategic directions, etc.
•
If face-to-face, know what outfit you are going to wear and err
on the side of conservative
•
If by telephone (or Skype or similar), make sure you are in a
private location and your equipment is working
Preparing for the interview
•
Understand the position: reference the vacancy announcement
and look at the required competencies
•
Review your CV: prepare real examples matching your
accomplishments to the competencies (i.e. how did you work in
a team, solved a conflict, mobilized resources, etc.)
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Get ready for the interview: practice beforehand,
bring copy of CV and vacancy announcement (and pen)
Competency-based interview
questions
•
Competency-based interview questions ask about past
professional experiences that can demonstrate the candidate is
competent
•
The theory is that if you can demonstrate that you have done it
in the past, chances are that you will be able to do it in the
future
•
When assessing the candidates’ responses, panels will ascertain
the depth and complexity of the responses given by candidates
•
Use the C-A-R principle
The C-A-R (L) principle
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Context: You will be expected to give an overview of the situation:
what the situation was about, when it was, how you first got
involved, what were the key events and the time frame
•
Actions: You will be expected to cover significant events, specific
instances, that were clearly attributable to you - rather than the
team
•
Results: What was the outcome, impact or results of your actions:
You may be asked questions such as: How did it turn out? What was
the final result?
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(L)earning: What learning did you take away from this experience?
Further information
Questions and comments are welcome
Thank you for your attention!
Please visit our dedicated websites for more information:
www.jposc.org
www.jposc.org/career_management