DPO Jobs 2026
Department of Peace Operations
Explore current vacancies with Department of Peace Operations (DPO), including hiring locations, requirements, duties, salaries, grades, contracts, career insights and application links.
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Showing 3 of 3 active roles.
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Common ways candidates explore DPO careers by opportunity type, location and field.
About DPO
The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to United Nations peacekeeping operations and supports Member States and the Secretary-General in maintaining international peace and security. Formally created in 1992 as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, it works with the Security Council, troop and police contributors, conflict parties and partners to implement mandates. DPO also guides military, police, mine action and related work in other UN political and peacebuilding missions.
- Established
- 1992
- Global Workforce
- ~68,255
- Annual Budget
- USD 6.16m (2026)
- Global Presence
- 11 peacekeeping operations
DPO Hiring Locations
Countries with active DPO vacancies right now.
Working with DPO
Working with DPO connects headquarters policy to field realities. Civilian teams deliver political analysis, mission planning, rule-of-law, police, military, mine-action, training, evaluation and partnership support, while field missions implement Security Council mandates in demanding contexts. The work requires sound judgement, mandate discipline and coordination with Member States, uniformed contributors and host-country actors. Civilian posts follow UN Secretariat recruitment; uniformed roles are normally national-service secondments.
Why Work at DPO?
Put Multilateral Mandates Into Practice
Help turn Security Council mandates into coordinated civilian and uniformed action.
Work At Peacekeeping’s Operational Core
Connect political strategy, field operations and partnerships in complex conflict-affected settings.
Contribute Across Specialized Peace Functions
Bring expertise to political affairs, policing, military, mine action or planning.
How to Apply for DPO Jobs
Once you find a suitable DPO vacancy on IGO Jobs or the DPO careers page, submit your application through DPO's official recruitment portal. Below is a guide on how to apply.
Official DPO application route ↗1Identify whether the opportunity is civilian or uniformed
DPO careers use different routes. Civilian positions at headquarters or in field missions are normally advertised through the UN Secretariat’s Careers Portal. Military observers, staff officers and other uniformed roles are generally filled by personnel seconded from national military or police services. Read the role type first so you use the appropriate route.
2Search UN Careers for the relevant DPO or mission vacancy
For civilian roles, use the United Nations Careers Portal and filter by field duty station, job network and department or office where available. Read the whole notice, including the mandate context, functional responsibilities, contract type, language requirements and eligibility criteria. A DPO headquarters post and a peacekeeping-mission post can have very different requirements.
3Use your national-service route for uniformed positions
If seeking a military role, contact the appropriate national military authority first. DPO states that uniformed personnel are members of their own national services and are seconded to the UN; its military personnel guidance directs candidates to pursue service-capacity queries through their own country. Do not assume that a civilian Inspira application is the route for a uniformed deployment.
4Create a complete Inspira profile for civilian applications
For an advertised civilian DPO role, select **Apply** to open Inspira, the UN Secretariat’s recruitment system. Create an account if needed and complete the required My Profile fields. Build the online application with accurate education, experience, skills, achievements, competencies and a tailored motivation statement that addresses the advertised mandate and responsibilities.
5Review, submit and retain the confirmation
Check every required field, dates, experience description and motivation statement before submitting in Inspira. A résumé does not replace the completed online application unless the vacancy specifically requests documents. Once submitted, an application cannot be amended for that job opening. Retain the automated confirmation and monitor the email address linked to your Inspira account.
6Prepare for the Secretariat assessment process
Candidates whose qualifications fit the civilian opening may be invited to an assessment. UN Careers identifies possible formats including written tests, asynchronous video interviews, work samples and assessment-centre exercises, followed by a panel interview. Prepare concise evidence-based examples for the competencies in the notice and be ready to explain judgement in complex, multicultural operational settings.
Recruitment safety: No. The United Nations says it does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment, including application, interview, processing or training, and does not request bank-account information. Use official UN Careers, DPO mission pages and your national service route for uniformed roles. Treat payment requests or unofficial offers as fraudulent.
DPO Market Insights
Current vacancy activity and the career areas represented across active DPO listings.
Active jobs
6
Added this month
5
+4 vs last monthTypical posting age
13 days
Most active month
August
Least active month
July
Most active duty station
New York
Based on IGO Jobs internal index data. See methodology and sources.
Top Job Functions
Top Grades
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Frequently asked questions about DPO careers
Where do I apply for DPO civilian jobs?+
DPO civilian posts are advertised on UN Careers and applications completed in Inspira. Search by department or office where available and field duty station if relevant. Read the entire job description before selecting Apply; mission, function, contract and eligibility vary substantially.
Can I apply directly to become a UN military peacekeeper?+
No. Uniformed peacekeepers remain members of their own national military or police service and are seconded to the United Nations. DPO’s military personnel page directs candidates with questions about serving in a military capacity to their own country first. Civilian roles are advertised and applied for through UN Careers and Inspira.
What kinds of civilian work does DPO offer?+
DPO supports 11 peacekeeping operations and guides military, police, mine-action and related functions for other UN political and peacebuilding missions. Civilian careers can therefore involve political affairs, mission planning, rule of law, protection, policing, military affairs, training, evaluation, analysis or operational support.
What happens after I submit a DPO civilian application?+
Civilian applicants use the UN Secretariat process. UN Careers says candidates whose qualifications fit may be invited to a written test, recorded video interview, work sample, assessment-centre exercise or another evaluation, followed by a panel interview. The format is chosen for the particular opening, so monitor Inspira and the account email.
Do I need an Inspira profile for DPO jobs?+
For a civilian DPO post, create an Inspira account and complete My Profile before submitting an application. The online application records education, experience, skills, achievements, competencies and a motivation statement. A résumé does not substitute for the completed Inspira application unless the job notice explicitly requests a document.
Does DPO charge an application fee?+
No. The United Nations says it does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment, including application, interview, processing or training, and does not request bank-account information. Use official UN Careers, DPO mission pages and your national service route for uniformed roles. Treat payment requests or unofficial offers as fraudulent.