5 Steps to get a job in the United Nations

Summary comparison of appointment and contract types in UN

UPD. 2024. Summary Comparison of Appointment and Contract Types in the United Nations (UN)

The United Nations (UN) is a global organization that employs a diverse workforce to address complex world issues, ranging from peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance to public health and environmental conservation. Understanding the various types of appointments and contracts within the UN is crucial for prospective employees and contractors. This guide provides a concise comparison of these employment frameworks, highlighting their key features, benefits, and differences.

Types of UN Employment Contracts

The UN system offers several types of employment contracts, each designed to meet different organizational needs and employment situations. The main categories include:

Fixed-Term Appointments: These are time-limited contracts for a period of one year or more, offering a stable employment option with a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, pension plans, and allowances for dependents. Fixed-term appointments are ideal for long-term projects and ongoing organizational roles.
Temporary Appointments: Designed for short-term needs lasting less than one year, temporary appointments are perfect for addressing immediate, project-specific tasks. While they offer similar benefits to fixed-term appointments, they are less comprehensive, reflecting the shorter duration of employment.
Consultancies: Consultancies are specialized contracts for expert advice or services on a specific project. These are typically short-term and task-specific, with compensation based on deliverables. Consultants do not receive the full benefits package but have more flexible working arrangements.
Individual Contractor Agreements: These contracts are for individuals performing specific tasks not requiring full-time employment. Contractors are not considered staff members and thus do not receive the benefits associated with employment. Instead, they are paid a lump sum or daily rate for their services.

Key Differences Between Appointments and Contracts

Duration and Stability: Fixed-term appointments offer more stability and longer contract durations compared to temporary appointments and consultancy contracts, which are project-specific and short-term.
Benefits and Entitlements: Staff members with fixed-term or temporary appointments receive a comprehensive benefits package, unlike consultants and individual contractors, who typically do not.
Nature of Work: Consultancies and individual contractor agreements are highly specialized, focusing on delivering specific outcomes or services, whereas fixed-term and temporary appointments may involve a broader scope of responsibilities.

Choosing the Right Type for Your Career Goals

When considering a career with the UN, it's important to align your employment type with your career objectives and personal circumstances. Fixed-term and temporary appointments are suitable for those seeking stability and a long-term career within the UN, while consultancies and individual contractor agreements offer flexibility and are ideal for experts focused on specific projects.

Permanent Appointments (PA): These are open-ended contracts that do not have a specified end date. They are typically offered to internal candidates who have already served with the UN, usually through a fixed-term appointment.
Fixed-Term Appointments (FTA): These appointments are made for a specific period, typically one year, but can be longer. They are the most common type of contract for new hires.
Temporary Appointments (TA): These appointments are for a limited period (usually less than one year) and are meant to meet short-term needs. This is often used for covering for staff on leave or for work on a project with a defined end date.
Consultant and Individual Contractor (IC): These are independent professionals hired on a contractual basis to provide expertise or services for a specific project. Consultants provide advisory services, while ICs carry out outputs specified in their contract.
UN Volunteers (UNV): UN Volunteers serve as volunteers either in their own country or in another country. They contribute their time and expertise to promote peace and development worldwide. This can be an excellent way to gain experience within the UN system and may serve as a stepping stone to other roles within the UN.
Internships: UN internships are typically unpaid and are designed for students or recent graduates. They offer a chance to gain first-hand experience in the UN system.

Each type of contract has different eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions. The selection process may also vary between different UN agencies. It's important to thoroughly read the job descriptions and understand the nature of the contract before applying.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡! 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀!

Summary comparison of appointment and contract types and their conditions of service based on UNcareer.net data

	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 📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐 ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖! 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.

Conclusion

The United Nations' diverse employment and contractual arrangements reflect its wide-ranging mission and the variety of talents needed to address global challenges. Understanding the differences between these types of contracts is essential for anyone looking to join the UN, ensuring they find the right fit for their career aspirations and lifestyle preferences.

By familiarizing yourself with the UN's employment frameworks, you can better navigate your career path within this influential global organization, contributing your skills and expertise where they are most needed.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡! 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀!

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