Frequently Asked Questions

How is a determination made of whether a duty station is designated as family or non-family as of 1 July 2011?

Duty stations from which dependents have been evacuated will be designated as “non-family duty stations” where a determination has been made that the medium- or longer-term presence of non-essential staff and/or dependents is dangerous or unsuitable for reasons of their safety and security. The determination of a duty station as non-family will normally be made within six months of the declaration of an evacuation.

What did the General Assembly decide in 2010 regarding “harmonization of conditions of service for staff serving in non-family duty stations”?

Acting on the basis of a recommendation of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), which regulates and coordinates the conditions of service of staff in the entire UN common system, the General Assembly decided that benefits and allowances for staff working in non-family duty stations should be the same for the entire UN common system, whether you work for a UN field mission or for a UN agency, fund or programme.

Are there any restrictions when consultants from UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes apply for Secretariat positions? As a consultant, do I need a break of 6 months before applying for a position?

Consultants at non-Secretariat United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes may apply for any position and at any level they consider themselves qualified, and are screened for eligibility according to the same criteria as any other external applicant.

Can an internationally recruited staff member defer his/her entitlement to a relocation grant upon separation? If so, for how long?

Yes, upon separation an internationally recruited staff member can defer their entitlement to removal expenses for up to two years. The entitlement expires if removal has not commenced within two years of the date on which the staff member became entitled to such expenses.

Is it possible to take Special Leave without pay (SLWOP) for personal reasons? For how long and what reasons are acceptable?

Special leave without pay is granted at the discretion of the Secretary-General. Special leave can normally be authorized for up to two years. The acceptable reasons for special leave are advance studies and research in the interest of the United Nations, extended illness, child care, family support, mandatory military service, and other. For eligibility requirements, please refer to staff rule 5.3.

I am applying for a job opening. The deadline states the application is due on a particular date. As we are a worldwide Organization, which time zone determines the date and time of the deadline?

Inspira uses New York Time. Job openings are taken offline at midnight New York time on the specified closing date.
You are encouraged to apply well before the deadline. Staff should be mindful that hiring offices and departments may start reviewing the applications during the posting period.