National Professional Officers (NPOs) at UNESCO are locally recruited professionals who provide technical expertise and support to UNESCO’s programs and activities in member states. NPOs are typically nationals of the country in which they are based and have specialized knowledge and experience in a particular field relevant to UNESCO’s work.

NPOs work closely with UNESCO’s international and national staff to implement UNESCO’s programs and projects at the country level. They may be involved in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as in the provision of technical advice and support to government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

NPOs are appointed by UNESCO’s Director-General based on a competitive selection process, which takes into account the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and language skills. They are typically hired on a fixed-term contract, which may be renewable depending on the duration and nature of the program or project they are working on.

NPOs play a critical role in UNESCO’s efforts to promote education, science, culture, and communication in its member states, and their contributions are essential to achieving UNESCO’s goals and objectives.