Editorial
Tagged: career guides
Plain-English explainers for navigating UN job titles, contract types, agencies, and application strategy — written for people actually applying, not for agency comms teams.
How UN vacancies count relevant work experience
Relevant experience is judged by function, duration and level of responsibility. Calendar years, overlapping jobs and prestigious employers do not answer every criterion.
UN competency-based interviews: preparing evidence from real work
UN competency-based interviews use past behaviour as evidence. Strong answers identify the situation, personal actions, result and lessons without rehearsed filler.
How to complete a UN Secretariat application in Inspira
Inspira uses a complete online application, not a CV attachment as a substitute. Dates, duties, education and tailored evidence all affect screening.
UN staff benefits: what depends on contract, category and duty station
UN staff benefits are conditional. Appointment type, recruitment status, duty station, family circumstances and employing organization determine the package.
UN grades and salary steps: two different parts of an offer
A grade reflects the classified level of a post. A step sets salary within that grade. Neither should be confused with contract duration or job title.
Internationally and locally recruited UN jobs: what the label changes
International and local recruitment affect eligibility, salary scales and possible relocation benefits. The distinction comes from the post and the employing organization.
Working at WMO: scientific careers, local support and consultancies
WMO recruits international scientific and professional staff, locally recruited General Service staff and consultants for defined assignments.
Working at IMO: Professional, General Service and temporary roles
IMO recruits international Professional staff, locally recruited General Service personnel and temporary staff, while consultants follow separate notices.
Working at IFAD: fixed-term, co-terminus and short-term appointments
IFAD uses fixed-term, co-terminus and short-term staff appointments and a separate handbook for consultants and other non-staff personnel.
Working at the IAEA: professional rotation, local staff and temporary expertise
The IAEA recruits international Professional staff under a rotation policy, local General Service staff and temporary experts through separate arrangements.
Working at UNFPA: staff grades and current non-staff contracts
UNFPA recruits international, national and local staff and uses current affiliate arrangements for consulting, project support, internships and volunteering.
Working at UNHCR: staff appointments and the affiliate workforce
UNHCR combines internationally mobile staff, national and local staff, and an affiliate workforce that includes consultants and UN Volunteers.