When you start your work with the United Nations, you are bound to duties and obligations that are exclusively international - meaning we serve the world with independence and impartiality. Our Core Values - Integrity, Professionalism, and Respect for Diversity - together with the standards and obligations of our service form the essence of what it means to be an international civil servant. On this page, you will find more about the meaning of our duties, obligations and privileges as well as what is expected of you as a staff member.
Status
As international civil servants, UN staff members must strive to meet the highest aspirations of the peoples of the world. This means that your responsibilities as a staff member are not national but exclusively international. This is the promise made in the Oath of Office, the declaration that is signed at the time of your appointment.
Obligations
The Oath of Office is a promise that you will perform your functions and regulate your conduct in accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules and with the interests of the United Nations only in view.
Privileges
To enable you to uphold this principle of independence, some special conditions apply to your service—not for your personal benefit, but for the exercise of your official functions. When you are acting in your official capacity, you are immune from legal process; your salary is exempt from taxation; any national service obligations are suspended; and it is possible for you to enter, live, and work in host countries. Staff members must comply with local laws and honour their private legal obligations, including the obligation to honour orders of competent courts such as orders to make payments for the support of a spouse or former spouse and/or dependent children (“family support court orders”).
Conduct
We must take special care to prevent a conflict between our private interests and our professional obligations to the United Nations. Accepting an honour, decoration, favour, gift or remuneration in connection with official duties may give rise to a real or potential conflict of interest, and as a rule, we cannot accept such benefits.
Engagement in employment and activities outside the Organization, paid or unpaid, may be incompatible with our status as United Nations staff members, or in conflict with the interests or objectives of the Organization. For these reasons, outside activities are not permitted unless prior approval has been given by the Secretary-General.