Eligible staff may apply for sabbatical leave under the sabbatical leave programme to pursue projects of study and research related to the work of the United Nations. Sabbatical leave lasts no more than four months, during which the staff member would be granted special leave with full pay.
The sabbatical leave programme is open to staff members who have completed five years of service with the Secretariat within the last six years and who are expected to serve with the Secretariat for no less than two years after completion of the sabbatical leave period. A committee will evaluate applications in a competitive manner and recommend a maximum of 15 applications per year.
The provisions governing the sabbatical leave programme are found in ST/AI/2011/1.