In the Professional and higher categories you are normally recruited internationally. You will receive a salary which is paid on the basis of a worldwide scale and benefits which take account of your dependants and the cost of living at your duty station.
a) Base salary
The base salary, which is determined by the grade of the post specified in the job opening and by the existence of any dependants, is the same throughout the United Nations system.
Annual net base salary ranges approximately in US$:
| 37,000 - 80,000 | for entry level professionals (P1 - P3) | |
| 67,000 - 106,000 | for mid-career professionals (P4 - P5) | |
| 95,000 - 123,000 | for senior level professionals (D1 - D2) |
Tax exemption
Salaries, grants and allowances paid by the United Nations are normally exempt from income tax.
b) Post adjustment
The base salary is supplemented by a post adjustment which varies according to the cost of living in the duty station and the exchange rate of the United States dollar. The post adjustment, set by the United Nations as a percentage of the base salary, ensures that all staff members at the same salary level have a similar purchasing power in every duty station by compensating for the differences in cost of living while taking currency fluctuations into account.
For example if your annual base salary is US$ 64,000 and the post adjustment multiplier for your duty station is 65.7%, your salary will be calculated based on the following:
Post adjustment per year: US$ 64,000 x 0.657 = US$ 42,048
| Total annual salary: | 64,000 | ||||
| 42,048 | |||||
| = | US$ 106,048 |
To see the current post adjustment rates, visit the International Civil Service Commission website .
c) Other benefits
As a United Nations staff member you may also be entitled to other allowances and benefits including:
- Rental subsidy if newly arrived at the duty station your rent represents too high proportion of the total remuneration.
- Dependency allowances if you have an eligible dependent spouse and/or child(ren).
- Under certain conditions an education grant if you have eligible children in school.
- Travel and shipping expenses when you are moving from one duty station to another.
- Assignment grant to assist you in meeting initial extraordinary costs when arriving at or relocating to a new duty station.
- At some duty stations, a hardship allowance linked to living and working conditions is paid and where there are restrictions on bringing family members, a non-family hardship allowance is also paid.
- Hazard pay and rest and recuperation break when you serve in locations where the conditions are particularly hazardous, stressful and difficult.
Holidays and leave
Depending on your type of contract, you will be entitled to 18 days to 30 days of vacation per year. In addition, the United Nations also observes 10 paid holidays per year; these differ from duty station to duty station.
You might also be eligible for home leave travel to renew your social, cultural and family ties in your home country; frequency depends on the duty station you are assigned to.
Health insurance
You will be eligible to participate in one of the United Nations-sponsored medical insurance plans. The monthly premiums are co-shared by yourself and the Organization.
Retirement pension
If you have an appointment of six months or more or complete six months of service without an interruption you become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. A compulsory contribution will be deducted from your monthly salary.
FAQs
How hard is it to get hired by the UN? ›
It is generally hard to get a job at the UN. The main reasons UN jobs are difficult to get include language requirements, high competition, specific needs for skills and experience, high-level education, the often-complex UN recruitment process and that the UN wants to recruit a diversely as possible.
How long does it take to hear back from UN job application? ›While some organisations and agencies fill positions quickly, others move slowly; this often depends on the size if the organisation and the urgency to fill a role. The end to end process of applying to securing a job with the United Nations system can take up to 4 months or even longer!
How to pass the UN written test? ›Practice reading in the language in which you are going to take the test for the Verbal Reasoning section. Practice basic arithmetic skills such as calculating percentages and changes in percentages. Familiarise yourself with the United Nations Core Values and Competencies Framework.
Is a career in the UN worth it? ›It has access and resources no other organization does. Even if you don't spend your entire career working at the UN, there are many opportunities available there, including travel, good pay, good job benefits, and projects that make a real difference in the world.
What is the lowest salary in UN? ›Average United Nations hourly pay ranges from approximately $12.00 per hour for Intern to $45.00 per hour for Front End Developer.
How many candidates are usually shortlisted for interview in UN? ›A short-list of candidates should consist of a minimum of two and (generally) a maximum of four candidates.
How long is UN hiring? ›After you attach your P-11 form you press the button to send/submit an application. What's next? The full selection process in UN agencies takes from 2 weeks to 4 months.
Why does UN recruitment take so long? ›Because the UN receives so many applications for any given vacancy, an automated screening process is used to shortlist applicants. One of the basic criteria is years of experience. This means that it's highly unlikely that any applicants who do not have the required years of experience will be shortlisted.
What does under consideration mean UN jobs? ›Under Consideration means the application has been screened by Inspira, and the recruitment process is on-going. Recruitment Completed means the process has been completed with the selection of another applicant. Rostered means the applicant was recommended for the job opening although he or she was not selected.
Does the UN check references? ›What happens to my application if my references are incomplete? Your application may be considered without a complete reference check however please note that your appointment will then be subject to satisfactory reference checks.
How do you pass UN competency based interviews? ›
Review the competencies in the job opening.
Match your past behaviour and experience with what is being asked for in the job duties and have examples that show your skills in these competency areas. Prepare examples of how you could contribute to the work in the specific position you are applying for.
We want people with integrity. People who are fair, impartial, honest and truthful. We want dynamic and adaptable persons who are not afraid to think creatively, to be proactive, flexible and responsive. If you think you embody these values then this is the place for you and your career.