Summary comparison of appointment and contract types in UN

Fixed-term, Continuing or Permanent Appointments

Temporary Appointment

(TA)

Service contracts

(SC)

Individual Consultant/Contractor

(IC)

Legal basis

Based on UNcareer.net Data

Career staff member, contracted under the UN Staff Regulations and Rules.

Staff members governed by the UN Staff Regulations and Rules

Personnel governed by explicit terms of service contract

Personnel governed by explicit terms of service agreement

Duration

Based on UNcareer.net Data

A fixed-term appointment may be granted for a period of one year or more, up to five years at a time ;

A continuing appointment is an open-ended appointment.

up to 364 calendar days maximum. Duration can be exceptional extended beyond the first 364 calendar days for up to 1 year

Min 6 months, except in certain situations, such as contracting for emergency operations, e.g. Tsunami Emergency Relief, or management and development projects, where issues of funding or uncertainty of duration, might make it difficult to issue an initial SC for 6 months or more

Up to a maximum of 3 years

Salary basis

Based on UNcareer.net Data

Local salary scales based on best prevailing local conditions; International salary scale based on best comparator civil service

Based on the applicable UN Salary scale for the relevant staff category.

Local salary scales based on prevailing local market conditions for specific job (local NGO and Government salary survey gross data as a reference point)

Market conditions for the job

Taxability of salaries

Based on UNcareer.net Data

Tax-exempt (or subject to reimbursement)

Tax-exempt (or subject to reimbursement).

Not exempt; no tax reimbursement

Not exempt; no tax reimbursement

Recruitment procedures

Based on UNcareer.net Data

Reviewed by CR Panel/Board

Competitive process required but CRB/CRP not required.

Reviewed by Ad hoc panel established by the Res/Rep. The Panel provides its recommendation to the Resident Representative for a final decision

CAP & ACP review for contracts over $100,000

Medical clearance

UN Medical Service

UN Medical service

UN Examining Physician or other recognized Medical Physician.

Over 3 months: own physician

Performance review

PMD

PMD

Service Evaluation

Abbreviated evaluation

Annual leave

2.5 days/month

A staff member who holds a fixed-term or a continuing appointment may accumulate and carry forward up to 60 working days of annual leave by 1 April

1.5 days/month

A staff member who holds a temporary appointment may accumulate and carry forward up to 18 working days of annual leave by 1 April of any year

Generally in accordance with local practice but no less than 1.5 days per month

A person who holds a Service Contract may accumulate and carry forward up to 18 working days to the next contract extension.

Individual Consultants/Contractors are not entitled to any staff entitlements such as annual leave (AL), sick leave (SL), or maternity leave.

Pension

UN Pension Fund

UN Pension Fund for staff members on TAs of six months or longer or who complete six months of service without interruption of more than thirty days are eligible for participation in the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.

National or Private local schemes or cash compensation for the subscriber’s own scheme, subject to restrictions under SC Policy.

None

Sickness

Sick leave

Based on UNcareer.net Data

A staff member who holds a fixed-term appointment and who has completed less than three years of continuous service shall be granted sick leave of up to three months on full salary and three months on half salary in any period of twelve consecutive months

A staff member who holds a permanent appointment for three years or FTA who has completed three years or more of continuous service shall be granted sick leave of up to nine months on full salary and nine months on half salary in any period of four consecutive years.

24 days full pay per year

Based on UNcareer.net Data

Generally in accordance with the local practice but no less than 1 day per month

Based on UNcareer.net Data

None

Maternity

16 weeks

16 weeks

Generally in accordance with the local practice but 16 weeks minimum as per UNDP standards

None

Paternity

Based on UNcareer.net Data

4 weeks. In case of an internationally recruited staff member serving at a non-family duty station, up to 8 weeks. A minim of 6 months’ continuous service is required before PL maybe granted. SM is expected to continue at least 3 months upon return form PL

4 weeks. In case of an internationally recruited staff member serving at a non-family duty station, up to 8 weeks. A minim of 6 months’ continuous service is required before PL maybe granted, when the SM is expected to continue at least 3 months upon return form PL

Generally in accordance with the local practice but 4 weeks minimum as per UNDP standards

None

Medical Benefits

A number of different insurance plans are available for the benefit of UNDP staff members and their eligible dependents. These include medical and dental insurances as well as group life insurance, personal property and personal accident insurance and automobile insurance.

Local office staff - UNDP scheme (MIP);

International staff in the field: Van Breda;

International staff and GS in New York: AETNA, Empire Blue cross, HIP medical plans made available

Local office staff - UNDP scheme (MIP);

International staff in the field: Van Breda.

International staff and GS in New York: AETNA, Empire Blue cross, HIP medical plans made available;

4 options available (in accordance with the SC Policy):

(i) cash equivalent paid to SC holder for pre-existing medical scheme;

(ii) UNDP facilitates participation to National or local private schemes;

(iii) SC holder contributes directly to national medical scheme,

(iv) UNDP arranges with Corporate Global Plan

None

Eligibility

S/M and recognized dependants

S/M

Contract holder and recognized dependents

N/A

Subsidy

S/M and recognized dependants

Appointee only

Contract holder only

-

Medical evacuation

Based on UNcareer.net Data

S/M and recognized dependants

Staff member only

Eligible only in case of occurrence of acute life-threatening medical emergency.

In cases of emergency, UNDP will facilitate and assist with arrangements, SC holder fully responsible for costs, subject to restrictions under SC Policy.

None

Death and disability

Coverage for service-incurred injury, illness or death in accordance with App. "D" of Staff Rules.

Coverage for service-incurred injury, illness or death in accordance with App. "D" of Staff Rules.

.

Corporate Global Group plan (non-contributory) for death and disability (any cause)

Coverage for service-incurred injury, illness or death based on App. "D".

Malicious Acts Insurance (MAIP)

Coverage for S/M located at, or travelling to, a designated hazardous duty station subject to compliance with MAIP.

Coverage for S/M located at, or travelling to, a designated hazardous duty station subject to compliance with MAIP.

Coverage for SC holder located at, or traveling to, a designated hazardous duty station subject to compliance with MAIP.

Coverage of IC located at, or travel to, a designated hazardous duty station subject to compliance with MAIP.