Rep. of Korea - Junior Professional Officer (JPO)- Academic Affairs and Partnerships Officer (Geneva, Switzerland)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies(ICTs).
ITU allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops international technical standards to ensure seamless interconnection of communication networks and technologies, and works to improve access to ICTs  worldwide. ITU is committed to connecting all the world's people – wherever they live and whatever their means. Through our work, we protect and support everyone's fundamental right to communicate.
Today, ICTs underpin everything we do. They help manage and control emergency services, water supplies, power networks and food distribution chains. They support health care, education, government services, financial markets, transportation systems, e-commerce platforms and environmental management. And they allow people to communicate with colleagues, friends and family anytime, and almost anywhere.
With the help of our global membership, ITU brings the benefits of modern communication technologies to people everywhere in an efficient, safe, easy and affordable manner.
ITU membership reads like a Who's Who of the ICT sector. We're unique among UN agencies in having both public and private sector membership. So, in addition to our 193 Member States, ITU membership includes ICT regulators, many leading academic institutions and some 700 tech companies.
In an increasingly interconnected world, ITU is the single global organization embracing all players in this dynamic and fast-growing sector.

The JPO will be based at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, an international and exciting city that host more than 190 international organizations. Geneva host more than two thirds of all UN activities and is visited by nearly 3000 heads of states or similar officials every year. It is a great opportunity to be based at the heart of the diplomatic world, and meet people from across the globe.

This post is positioned in the Marketing and Partner Relations Division (MPR), under the Strategic Planning and Membership (SPM) Department within the General Secretariat. MPR focuses on industry and academia engagement, membership growth, and partnership coordination across ITU.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Senior Partnership and Academia Relations Officer, the Junior Professional Officer will:

• Support national events aimed at engaging universities and raising awareness about ITU’s mission, programs, and initiatives.
• Lead research projects with universities (example: capstone model), identify relevant topics aligned with ITU priorities, and addressing internal and external stakeholders needs.
• Ensure timely submission and comprehensive follow-up of project proposals. Develop strategies to scale research collaboration models across universities.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with academic members (approximately 180 universities and research institutions), ensuring engagement and alignment with opportunities available at ITU.
• Support academic visits/ research and scientific delegations to ITU including coordination with colleagues at ITU, preparing agenda and presentations.
• Map and analyze international academic and scientific organizations at the international/regional level (e.g., GESDA, Geneva Science Policy Platform) to identify opportunities for enhanced synergy and cooperation.
• Support coordination with ITU colleagues across the three Sectors and the General Secretariat to ensure cohesive alignment of academic initiatives with strategic priorities, maximizing synergies and leveraging existing efforts.
• Create frameworks to recognize and highlight academic achievements and research initiatives within ITU.
• Contribute to the preparation of talking points, briefing notes, presentations, and other materials for senior management and relevant ITU sectors regarding academia members.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORK RELATIONS AND CONTACT

This position will work closely with internal staff across a range of positions and interact regularly with key stakeholders, particularly Academia.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Extensive knowledge of ITU activities related to AI, space, quantum technologies and other key ITU topics.
• Diplomatic skills to liaise, negotiate and manage relationships with key stakeholders.
• Drafting and communication skills to prepare, revise, and review documents, reports, white papers, proposals etc.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

University degree in technology, diplomacy, business, or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above.

Experience:

At least three years of progressively responsible experience relevant to the position. Experience in business, project management, international relations, academic relationships is desirable. Working knowledge of the UN system is considered an advantage. An advanced degree in a related field can be considered as a substitute for one year of working experience. A doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience.

Languages:

Advanced level of English. Knowledge of a second official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) at intermediate level would be an advantage. 

TRAINING AND LEARNING ELEMENTS

The selected candidate will acquire excellent knowledge and experience of:

• Research and analysis
• Engagement with universities
• International technology diplomacy
• Multi-stakeholder collaborative partnerships
• Critical thinking

Learning will be structured and will take place through participation in ITU meetings, workshops, reports, surveys, studies or activities related processes, by mentoring, coaching, and on-the-job training.

The post holder will benefit from: a direct supervisor who will provide learning opportunities by the following means:

• Opportunities to interact directly with external stakeholders

Collaboration with ITU secretariat staff across different sectors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

General Requirements for candidates applying to the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea:

Applicants must:
 

• Hold Korean citizenship
  
  
• Provide a valid English proficiency certificate with one of the following minimum scores:
  • TOEFL iBT: 100
  • TEPS: 430
  • IELTS: 7
  • TOEIC: 900

TOEFL ‘Home Edition’ score is accepted while ‘My Best Scores’ are not accepted
IELTS General Training and Academic test are both accepted

Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date

• Be under 32 years of age as of 31st December, 2026 (born after 1st January, 1994). The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended accordingly: one year will be extended for those who served for less than one year; two years will be extended for those who served for more than one year and less than two years; three years will be extended for those who served for two years or more.
• Have completed or be exempt from  Korean military service (for male applicants) . Those who will be discharged from military service in the year of the application may also apply.
  
  
• Applicants may apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.

Required documents:
a) Completed application form (e.g., P11, PHP, etc.) and motivation letter in English
b) Copy of Resident Register in English, issued by the Korean Government
c) University degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s degree) certificate in English
d) English proficiency certificate
e) Certificates of employment in English indicating duties and duration including information such as the period of employment, organization, department/unit, position/title, and duties/responsibilities, in English
* Note: Applicants are required to submit supporting documents for all professional experience listed in the application.
f) Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service: A certificate of Korean Military Service in English. The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended in accordance with the Support for Discharged Soldiers Act and the Military Service Law.
g) Only for low-income applicants: Scanned copy of a certificate of National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial translation in English.
h) Only for persons with disability: Scanned copy of a certificate for persons with disabilities issued in Korean and English

Expected Entry on Duty: November-December 2026