FOR UN SECRETARIAT STAFF

 This page is currently being developed. Contents will gradually be added. A French version is in process.

 What is the new system about?

The new Mobility and Career Development Framework is a new staffing system. It brings changes to the way staffing is conducted.

Staffing based on 9 job networks

 

To facilitate the movement of staff, existing job networks were reconfigured. Today, the UN Secretariat has 9 job networks comprising 47 job families. A job network is a grouping of job families with closely linked mandates or programmes of work that require similar skill sets.

POLNET is the first network to go live in January 2016.
 

 

 Understanding your job network 

Understanding which job network the position you currently encumber belongs to is particularly important for purposes of your eventual participation in managed mobility. While you can apply to any vacancy in any job network, the managed mobility exercises take place by job network.

Click here for instructions on how to verify to which job network your position belongs.

The information made available in the search tool corresponds with information about you in Umoja. For any further questions regarding job network membership, please contact your HR Officer.

 Phasing in of new job networks under the new staffing system

POLNET was the first job network to go live in January 2016, followed by ITECNET in 2017.  The above timeline is currently under review.

 What about staffing needs between the semi-annual staffing exercises?

Staffing needs between the semi-annual staffing exercises will be met through Temporary Job Openings (TJOs) as it is done today. To meet staffing requirements arising from surge, start-up, humanitarian emergency situations or other immediate operational requirements the option to recruit from roster will remain for those entities with the authorized authority.

 What about the new assessment method for vacancies?
 
A thorough, consistent and fair assessment process is key to talent management. Under the new policy all eligible applicants to FS, P and D vacancies will equally participate in a consistent assessment process coordinated by assessment experts and the Network Staffing Team (NST). Already at the time of application, the applicant will be informed of the timeline for the entire recruitment exercise. This provides a new level of transparency allowing applicants better understand where each part of the process stands. Each eligible applicant will be invited to a three-step assessment; the first one being a general ability test, the second one a tailored substantive test and the third and last step is a competency based interview. Applicants who are already rostered bypass the assessment process and proceed directly to the final list of candidates for consideration.
 
Click here for more more information on the assessment process and dates for currently on-going semi-annual staffing exercises.

  How do I know when it is time for me to change positions?

Many staff are already very mobile. Under the new staffing system the duration that a staff member can serve on a certain position is now defined by position occupancy limits. These limits vary according to the classification of the duty station the staff member serves at. 

The minimum occupancy limit does not apply when applying for vacancies.

Your current “clock” starts ticking when you took up the position that you currently encumber. Special periods, for instance periods of temporary assignments, special leave of one year and longer, services as staff representatives and loans suspend the clock until you are back in your position.

Detailed information about duty station classifications is available on the website of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

  How do I participate in a managed mobility exercise?

Managed mobility exercise is a lateral movement opportunity for eligible internal staff members. It offers staff an opportunity to laterally change positions within their job network more easily and without going through a full-fledged recruitment process under a vacancy exercise.

Eligible staff may choose to opt in at any time after they have reached their minimum position occupancy limit or they will automatically be enrolled once reaching the maximum occupancy limit. 

Staff members participate in managed mobility with “their position” (the position they currently encumber). In order to participate in the managed mobility exercise, the staff member and the position need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

Vacancies are not included in a managed mobility exercise. All vacancies continue to be advertised in the Careers Portal.

Any tips for staff?

Transitioning into a new staffing system requires some learning and adjustments on your part. The more you know, the better you will be prepared to plan your career in the UN Secretariat. Here are a few tips:

  1. Understand your “mobility status”!
    • When are you reaching your maximum occupancy limit?
    • How can you best use the time between now and then?
       
  2. Seek the advice of a Career Support or Staff Development Officer!
     
  3. Check out information about career support tools!
  4. Sign up for one of our webinars!