A global town hall took place on Tuesday, 13 May 2014 regarding the new mobility and career development framework approved by the General Assembly on 9 April 2014.
The Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra, led the discussions together with Under-Secretary-General for Management, Yukio Takasu, Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support, Anthony Banbury, and Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, Catherine Pollard, who were also on hand to engage with staff.
Participants joined from 14 duty stations around the world via video-conference.
Acknowledging today’s challenges
The panel emphasized the global nature of our work, especially the many critical peacekeeping operations around the world. In this light, staff members were reminded that the new framework was broadly consulted within the Organization and also with Member States to address the diverse needs of the Secretariat.
How will the Organization move forward?
The Secretary-General is establishing a governance structure which will include a Steering Committee at the Under-Secretary-General level with representatives from a diverse range of Departments and Offices. In addition, a Technical Advisory Group with representation from each Job Network will also support the Organization’s effort to prepare for the implementation phase.
What are the key principles of the new framework?
Some of the key elements are as follows:
- the framework applies to internationally-recruited staff;
- staff will be expected to change positions periodically by applying to vacant positions or participating in a lateral reassignment exercise;
- one geographic move (a change in country of one year or longer) will be required to be eligible for positions at the P-5 level and above;
- selection and reassignment recommendations will be made by Job Network Boards;
- the framework will be phased in by Job Network; and
- transitional measures will apply to serving staff.
Various views were expressed during the ‘question & answer’ session. Concerns ranged from the current Job Network structure, the need for enhanced support for family and spouses, as well as the need to ensure institutional memory is maintained as staff members change position.
In response to staff questions regarding transparency and oversight, the Chef de Cabinet assured staff that the process of developing the framework had been open and transparent and that the implementation would be approached in the same open and inclusive manner. In order to access the full question and answer session you are encouraged to watch the video, at the link below.
Ms. Malcorra ended the meeting by thanking staff for their engagement and noting that many details will need to be addressed before the first Job Network goes live in 2016. Yet despite these challenges, she concluded that the framework represents opportunities ahead for Staff, the Organization and Member States.
Where can I find out more?
For more detailed information, please refer to the PowerPoint presentation given by ASG Pollard. A recording of the town hall is also available on UN Web TV.
This meeting was the first in a series of global information sessions planned that will take place as the Organization prepares for phased implementation of the framework beginning in 2016. Keep an eye on it’s for real for further information.