Accepting applications for the 2015 Sabbatical Leave Programme

Have you ever wondered if you could take a break from work and focus on a research project? Is there a topic that you have always wanted to study but you never had the time to? Do you think your research could benefit the UN? If so, you should consider applying for the Sabbatical Leave Programme.

The Sabbatical Leave Programme offers up to four months of paid leave and is open to all UN staff members who have completed five years of service. This year, applications must be sent by 30 September 2014 and should include:

  • An endorsement form signed by the Head of Department/Office or the Director of Mission Support;
  • Two to three letters of recommendation;
  • Documents or correspondence showing that the proposed university or institution has agreed to support the sabbatical project.

The applications will be evaluated by an internal committee, which will examine the quality of the project, its feasibility, and the suitability of the applicant and the institution. In addition, the committee will consider the potential impact of the research project on the work of the UN. A total of 15 applications will be granted and staff members in the sabbatical programme may take up to four months of paid leave.

Examples of successful projects include studies on the following topics:

  • The government of Myanmar’s role in aid coordination;
  • The Basel Convention and its role in protecting the developing world from hazardous waste;
  • Access to justice in an environmental context;
  • Durable solutions for internally displaced persons in Haiti;
  • The role of transitional and international justice in shaping change in the Middle East and North Africa.

Staff members who are selected will be required to submit a report at the end of their project that will be posted on the new Human Resources Portal. Applications must be submitted by email to sabbatical@un.org by 30 September 2014.

Need more information?

For more details, please read the Information Circular (ST/IC/2014/16), the Administrative Instruction (ST/ AI/2011/1).