During periods of SLWOP, staff members retain their status as international civil servants with all obligations this entails. Therefore, SLWOP is not normally granted to provide staff members with an avenue to pursue employment in other UN or non-UN entities but rather is granted for work-life balance, to accompany a spouse to a different duty station, etc. Should a staff member during the period of his or her SLWOP be presented with an opportunity to engage in outside employment/activities, he or she must request approval to engage in such activity. These types of requests are reviewed on a case by case basis.
In particular, SLWOP will not be authorized for governmental service in a political office, in a diplomatic or other representational post or for any functions that would be incompatible with the staff member’s continued status as an international civil servant. However, in exceptional circumstances, SLWOP may be granted to a staff member who is requested by his or her Government to render temporary services involving functions of a purely technical nature.
Regarding employment in other UN entities that are part of the UN Common System of Benefits and Allowances, there are administrative procedures in place to facilitate temporary or long-term movement to such entities for staff in the professional and higher categories. This is subject to agreement by both the receiving and releasing entity and the staff member. The Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff details the conditions under which staff members can move throughout the UN Common System of salaries and allowances.
If a staff member requests permission to work for an entity other than the UN Secretariat whilst already on Special Leave the following information will be required:
- The reason why Special Leave was originally approved in advance of the requested outside activity or employment.
- Details of the proposed role, including entity, functions etc.
- Details of any potential conflict of the new role with the staff member’s status as an international civil servant.
- Any other relevant information. Additional information may be requested by the reviewing office and/or OHR.