The Applicant’s Manual

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2012

The Applicant’s
Manual
Manual for the Applicant
on the Staff Selection System
(inspira)

United Nations

careers

United Nations
April 2012 (Release 2.2)

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)
Copyright © United Nations 2012. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, duplication, or distribution
is strictly prohibited. No part of the contents of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means without the expressed written consent of the United Nations.

Release 2.2 18 April 2012 5:33 pm
Copyright © United Nations 2012. All rights reserved.

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Understanding the Careers Portal and inspira Careers Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The United Nations Careers Portal Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Understanding the inspira Careers Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Register and Login to inspira . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Staff Members Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Non-Staff Members Registration and Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Forgot your User ID or Password?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Change initial Password and Set Forgotten Password Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Staff Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Non-Staff Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Logout from your Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Close inspira. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Where to get Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
inspira Online Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
inspira Support Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 2: Overview of the Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 3: Understanding the Job Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Job Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Job Opening Heading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Job Title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Department/Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Duty Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Posting Period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job Opening Number Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22
22
22
22
23

Job Opening Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Org. Settings and Reporting Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Competencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Work Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United Nations Considerations Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assessment Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Notice (where applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No Fee statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24
24
24
24
26
28
28
28
28
28

Chapter 4: Understanding the Evaluation Criteria, Eligibility Rules and Pre-Screening
Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Evaluation Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Understanding Pre-screening and Eligibility Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Prescreening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Eligibility Criteria for all Applicants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Eligibility Criteria for a Serving Staff Member Holding an Appointment other than a Temporary Appointment . . . . . . 36
Eligibility Criteria for a Non-Serving Staff Member or Serving Staff Member Holding a Temporary Appointment . . . . 39
Eligibility for a Female Applicant Serving in the UNS at the Professional Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Chapter 5: Search for Job Openings and Create a Job Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Search for Job Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Using the Job Opening Link on the Careers Portal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Search Job Openings Section on the Careers Portal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Basic Job Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Advanced Job Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

View Cancelled Job Openings/Filled from Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Search Using My Saved Searches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Create a Job Alert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Chapter 6: Completing your Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
My Profile for Serving Staff Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Review Permanent and Mailing Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Review your My Profile page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

My Profile for Non-Staff Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Create your Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Chapter 7: Completing the Application Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Prepare your Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Screening Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Education and Work Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Cover Letter and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Screening Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Submit the Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Track the Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Applying to a Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Apply to a Job Opening(s) without a Draft Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
To Apply Using the Latest Saved Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Managing your Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Managing Multiple Draft Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Withdrawing your Application from a Job Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Withdrawing yourself from the Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Placing your Roster Status on Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Chapter 9: Undergoing the Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Understanding the Evaluation of Applicants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Composition of the Assessment Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Assessment Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Written Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Case Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Simulation Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Technical Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Essay Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Other Assessment Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Chapter 10: Undergoing the Competency-based Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Competency-based Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Communicating with Applicants about the Assesments and Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Chapter 11: Understanding the Role of the Central Review bodies . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Role of the Central Review Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Function of Central Review Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Secretary of the Central Review Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
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Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

Composition of the Central Review Body and Rules of Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Chapter 12: The Status Matrix and Compliance with Staffing Imperatives . . . . . . 111
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Status Matrix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Selection Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Chapter 13: Communication with the Applicant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Selection Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Selected Candidates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Rostered Candidates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Non-Selection Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Chapter 14: Roster Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Inclusion in the Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Validity of Rosters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Communication with Roster Applicants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Roster Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Consideration of Roster Applicants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Selection of Roster Candidates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Chapter 15: Placement Outside the Normal Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Assistant Secretary-General for OHRM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Under-Secretary-General for Field Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head of Department/Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services . . . . . . . . . .
Selection for P-2 and P-3 Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

125
125
125
126
126

Annex A: Sample of Assessment Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Annex B: Pre-Screening and Eligibility Assessment Flow Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Annex C: The United Nations System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Annex D: Licenses and Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Annex E: Matrix for Pre-screening on Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Annex F: Language Proficiency Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Annex G: List of Links for Accreditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Annex H: List of Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Annex I: Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Annex J: Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

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Chapter 1: Getting Started
1.1 Understanding the Careers Portal and inspira Careers
Home Page
1.1.1 The United Nations Careers Portal Home Page
The United Nations Careers Portal home page(herewith referred to as the 'Careers Portal') offers a
compendium of published job openings and a variety of useful information on pursuing career
opportunities with the United Nations Secretariat. The Careers Portal provides information about
what the United Nations does, where it operates and the organizational structure; career paths,
career options and the recruitment process, as well as a showcase of United Nations staff members
providing an insight to their experience working at the United Nations.

Careers Portal Menu Options
The following options are available through the Careers Portal menu:

•

Home - returns you to the Careers Portal home page.

•

FR - Click on FR to display the contents on the Careers Portal in French, when selected the
option changes to EN - English.

•

UN.org - redirects you to the United Nations website.

•

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Sections of the Careers Portal
The Careers Portal is comprised of four (4)
sections:
Section 1: Meet our Global Workforce
Provides a showcase of United Nations staff
members providing an insight to their
experience at the United Nations.
Section 2: Why, What and How?
Provides information about what the United
Nations does, career options, search for job
openings.
Section 3: Search Job Openings
Provides an area where you can enter specific
criteria about the position you are seeking.
Section 4: Stay connected
You can follow the latest news from the United
Nations on any one of the following Social
Networks:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
UN.Careers
Twitter: http://twitter.com/un_careers
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/uncareers

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1.1.2 Understanding the inspira Careers Home Page
Once you have logged into inspira, the inspira Careers Home page appears. The inspira Careers
Home page (herewith referred to as ‘Careers Home’) allows you to search for job openings, create
job alerts, apply to job openings and trach your applications and is comprised of six (6) sections:

Main Menu
My Career Tools

Search Options
Create Draft
Application

My
Applications/
Roster
Membership

Attachments

Notifications

Main Menu
The following options are available from the Main Menu:
•

Careers Home - returns you to the home page.

•

Job Search - opens the Advanced Job Search page.

•

My Profile - opens your profile page.

•

My Saved Searches and Job Alerts- displays a list of searches and job alerts you previously
saved.

Search Options
This section allows you to search for a job opening(s) by keyword and posting or perform a more
advanced search by entering specific criteria. Refer to Section 5.1: Search for Job Openings for more
information.

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My Career Tools
This section allows you to access your applications, attachments and profile where you can view/
update/delete those documents where allowed. Refer to Section 7.2: Prepare your Application and
Section 8.3: Submit the Application, respectively for more information.
Section 4: Create Draft Application
The Create Draft Application button allows you to create a new draft Application. Refer to Chapter
7: Completing the Application Form for more information.
My Applications
The My Applications section displays your draft and submitted applications.
Roster Membership
The Roster Membership section appears when you click on the Roster Membership link in the My
Career Tools section. It replaces the My Applications section. To return to the My Applications
section, click on the My Applications link in the Careers Tools section.
Notifications
Notifications sent by the United Nations pertaining to a job opening that you have applied to will be
posted in this section. This is in addition to receiving an email from the United Nations to your primary
email address. Notifications can be job alerts; a request for additional information, a scheduled
interview, etc.
Attachments
You can attach any documents for your reference in this section.

1.2 Register and Login to inspira
If you are just searching to see what job openings are available, you do not have to login or register
to perform a job search. However, if you want to create a job alert, complete a draft application or
submit a completed application to a position of interest then login or registration is required.
The path you take to login or register depends on whether you are a staff member or non-staff
member. Staff members have been provided with a login User ID and password while non-staff
members must first register.

1.2.1 Staff Members Login
As a staff member, you are not required to register since you should have been provided with a login
user name and temporary password.
The login user ID and temporary passwords that were originally assigned to staff members were as
follows:
•

User ID:

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•

Password: (e.g. 1970SMIT)
(This is a temporary password and must be changed.)

Staff members can log into inspira through iseek or the Careers Portal (careers.un.org).

When a staff member logs in using their index number and password, inspira will
recognize them as a staff member.

1.2.2 Non-Staff Members Registration and Login
An applicant who is not a staff member needs to register and create a login account in order to apply
for a job opening online. A non- staff member can start his/her job search and/or application process
through the Internet via the United Nations Careers Portal http://careers.un.org/.

1.2.2.1 Non-Staff Members Registration
To register and create an account, perform the following steps:
1. From the Careers Portal page, there are two (2) ways to access the Registration page. You can
either:
a. Click on the Login link located on the menu. The inspira Login page appears, proceed to Step
2,

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OR
b. Scroll down to the middle of the Careers Portal page and click on the Job openings link. The
Job Openings page appears.

c. On the Job Openings page, scroll down to the Job Alerts section and click on the register as
user/login link. The inspira Login page appears, proceed to Step 2.

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2. On the inspira Login page, click on the Register now link. The Registration page appears.

3. On the Registration page, all fields are required, complete the following information:

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The registration process has to be completed in a single session; otherwise data
entered for an uncompleted registration will be lost. After a successful registration,
you must use the same login information when returning to the system.
Applicants are required to state their correct name, date of birth and other personal
data and to certify that the information provided is true, complete and correct to the
best of their knowledge and belief. Accordingly, an applicant must ensure the
correctness of the information provided and cannot claim a right of rectification of
his/her recorded representation of facts that are within his/her responsibility and
competence to establish and there is no legal obligation on the part of the United
Nations to change the official record in respect of a fact originally submitted by an
applicant who may potentially become a staff member for the purpose of his/her
United Nations record.

The information that appears on the Careers Home page is unique to the user and
cannot be seen by other users, such as Notifications, Applications, Saved Job
Searches.
Login Help is available in case you have forgotten your User ID or Password. Refer
to Section 1.3: Forgot your User ID or Password? for more information.
a. UserID - enter a user name that is unique but easy to remember.
There is no prescribed format, however, remember that your User Name is a unique name
that you will use to login to access inspira. You can use any combination of characters up to
70 characters. Some examples are, your full e-mail address (e.g. johnsmith@xxx.com),
variations of your name i(e.g. jsmith, johnsmith, or john smith)
b. Password - enter a unique password. The rules to create a new password are as follows:
•

Must be a minimum of six (6) characters up to 32 characters in length;

•

May consist of letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), or a combination of both.

Remember that passwords are case sensitive.

Confirm Password - re-enter the password.
The information entered during the registration process will be copied into your
profile and application. Make sure you enter your legal first and last names as
they appear in your passport or birth certificate, since stating an incorrect name
may have legal consequences at a later stage in the application process.

d. Given Name - enter your given name as shown on your passport or, ONLY if not available, on
your identity card or birth certificate.
e. Family Name - enter your family name (generation suffix) as shown on your passport or, ONLY
if not available, on your identity card or birth certificate.
f.

Primary Email - enter your primary e-mail address. This address will be used by the United
Nations for communications regarding your application.

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g. Date of Birth - click on the Calendar icon. A Calendar pop-up window appears with the
current Month, Year and Day selected. Select your corresponding birth month and year, and
then click on the birth day in the Calendar. The field will be populated with the selected date
values when done.
4. Upon completion of the fields, click on the Register button. You will be automatically logged in
to your inspira Careers Home page once you have successfully registered and created your login
account.

1.2.2.2 Non-Staff Members Login
If you are a returning user and have already created an account, it is not necessary to go through the
registration process. To login to inspira perform the following steps:
1. From the Careers Portal page, click on the Login link located on the menu. The inspira Login
page appears.

2. On the inspira Login page, enter the User Name and Password you created during the registration
process.
You are allowed five (5) attempts to enter the correct password, after which
inspira will automatically lock your account. In this case, you must contact the
inspira Help desk to reset your account, Refer to Section 1.7: Where to get Help
for more information.
Login Help is available in case you have forgotten your User ID or Password. Refer
to Section 1.3: Forgot your User ID or Password? for more information.
3. In the Home page section, click on Careers, the Careers Management page appears, refer to
Section 1.1: Understanding the Careers Portal and inspira Careers Home Page for more
information.

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Alternatively, from the Careers Home page, you can:
•

View the latest Job Openings;

•

Perform specific Job Searches and save them as Job Alerts;

•

Apply to a Job Opening;

•

Create/Update your Application; and

•

Manage your job search.

1.3 Forgot your User ID or Password?
If you have forgotten your User ID or Password, they can be retrieved by clicking on the Forgot your
password? link on the inspira Login page.

Click on Forgot your
password? link to
retrieve your password
and forgotten user ID

1. On the Forgot My Password/Forgot User ID page you can retrieve your forgotten password or
your User ID. Perform one of the following steps:

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If you have forgotten your password, in the Forgot My Password section enter your inspira
User ID and click on Continue.
•

If you are a staff member, your User ID is your index number.

•

If you are a non-staff member, your User ID is the one created when you registered.

The following message appears:
"Your password has been emailed. "
A temporary password will be sent to the email address you provided for all communications with
the United Nations. The password will need to be changed when you login to inspira. Refer to
Section 1.4: Change Initial Password and Set Forgotten Password Help for more information.
b. If you have forgotten your User ID, in the Forgot User ID section enter your primary email
address and click on Continue. The primary email address is the one you provided for all
communications with the United Nations and will be used by inspira to authenticate your
identification. If you entered a different email address, then the following message appears:
"No user account found for the Email Address entered."
After entering your valid primary email address, click on Continue. The following message
appears:
"Your user name has been mailed. "
Your User Name will be sent to your email address.

1.4 Change Initial Password and Set Forgotten Password Help
1.4.1 Staff Members
When you first log into inspira, it is necessary to change the temporary password and set-forgotten
password help security question. The security question will be used to authenticate you when you
have forgotten your password and request that it be emailed to you.

Change password

Set-up forgotten
password help

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1.4.1.1 Set-up Forgotten Password Help
To set-up your forgotten password help, log into inspira:
1. From the inspira menu, click on My System Profile. The My System Profile page appears.
2. Click on the Change or setup forgotten password help link, and complete the following fields:
a. Question - select a question.
b. Response - enter the answer to the selected question.
Responses are not case sensitive. If you forget your password and click on the
Forgot your password? linkfound in the inspira login page, you will be asked to
enter the response to the question. If your entry does not match the response set
up in your system profile, user validation will fail and you will not be e-mailed a
new password to access inspira.
3. Click on OK and then on Save to save your entries.

1.4.1.2 Change your Password
To change your password, log into inspira:
1. From the inspira menu, click on My System Profile. The My System Profile page appears.
2. Click on the Change Password link and complete the following fields:
a.

Current Password - enter your current password.

New Password - enter the new password. The rules to create a new password are as follows:
•

Must be a minimum of six (6) characters in length;

•

Cannot match the previous password;

•

May consist of letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), or a combination of both.

Remember that passwords are case sensitive.

Confirm Password - re-enter the new password.

3. Click on OK and then on Save to save your entries.
In case you need login assistance, contact the Helpdesk. Refer to the Where to get
Help section for more information.

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1.4.2 Non-Staff Members
1. From the Careers Portal page, click on the Login link located on the menu. The inspira Login page
appears.
2. Login to inspira using your User Name and the temporary password assigned to you and click on
the Login button. The Careers Home page appears.

You must be logged in before you can change your password.

3. On the Careers Home page click on the My Profile tab. The Personal Details screen appears.
4. Click on the Edit Password link, the Change Password page appears.

Enter New Password - , enter your new password. The rules to create a new password are as
follows:

Remember that passwords are case sensitive.

•

Must be a minimum of six (6) characters up to 32 characters in length;

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•

Cannot match the previous password;

•

May consist of letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), or a combination of both.

b. Confirm New Password - re-enter your new password.
5. Click on the Save button. Your password has been changed and the Edit Profile page reappears.

1.5 Logout from your Account
To logout of your account, proceed to a page that displays the menu and click on the Sign Out link
found in the menu on the page.
You are now logged out of your account are still logged into inspira where you can continue your job
search but cannot apply to a position until you log back into your account.

1.6 Close inspira
On any inspira page, click on the Close button located at the upper right corner of the page to exit
the application.

1.7 Where to get Help
1.7.1 inspira Online Help
The inspira Online Help feature provides user assistance through any aspect of the staff selection
system. Depending on whether you are an applicant or a member of the hiring team, the inspira
Online Help has been tailored to provide step-by-step procedures and guidance for the task at hand.

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1.7.2 inspira Support Centre
1.7.2.1 Staff Members
For policy enquiries and technical help, simply click on “Contact us” in the UN Careers portal (http:/
/careers.un.org) and complete the online request form. Your request will automatically be assigned
a case number for easy reference and tracking.
You can also click on “Contact us” anywhere in inspira (https://inspira.un.org) to complete the
online request form. Your request will automatically be assigned a case number for easy reference
and tracking.
To better assist you, make sure your request always includes:
•

Your index number

•

Your UN email address

•

In the event that you are reporting a technical problem, the steps leading to this problem
and one or more screenshots of the error/warning message and of the page on which it
appeared.

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For staff members who wish to find information (FAQs, information sheets, etc.) on staffing and
research a particular topic, please visit the it's for real! website on the human resources Talent
Management framework (https://itsforreal.un.org/). This feature is only available through the
intranet.

1.7.2.2 Non-Staff Members
For policy enquiries and technical help, simply click on “Contact us” in the UN Careers portal (http:/
/careers.un.org) and complete the online request form. Your request will automatically be assigned
a case number for easy reference and tracking.
You can also click on “Contact us” anywhere in inspira to complete the online request form. Your
request will automatically be assigned a case number for easy reference and tracking.
To better assist you, make sure your request always includes:
•

Your email address

•

In the event that you are reporting a technical problem, the steps leading to this problem
and one or more screenshots of the error/warning message and of the page on which it
appeared.

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Chapter 2: Overview of the Application Process
Applying for a position is accomplished in several steps. The illustration below shows the high-level
steps that are performed in the application process. All applications undergo the first five steps; the
sixth step is undertaken by candidates who have been short-listed for the position.

Step 1: Search for Job Openings
The United Nations publishes job opportunities in a compendium of job openings on a regular basis.
You may actively search for job openings and apply to those for which you feel you are qualified. You
may also save your search criteria as a Job Alert and have the results automatically sent to your email address.
Immediate and anticipated job openings (vacancies) identified through workforce planning for
positions of one year or longer are advertised through a compendium of job openings. The
compendium is published electronically and updated regularly in its electronic version at the United
Nations Careers Portal https://careers.un.org/.
Position-specific job openings are included in the compendium when:
•

a new position is established or an existing position is reclassified upwards;

•

the incumbent separates from service, or

•

the incumbent is selected for other functions under the provisions of this instruction or as a
result of a lateral reassignment by the Head of Department/Office.

Generic job openings are included in the compendium when:
Entities with approval to use roster-based recruitment shall publish generic job openings in the
compendium for the purpose of creating and maintaining viable rosters of qualified candidates for
immediate and anticipated vacancies, including vacancies for less than one year.

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Step 2: Register and login to Inspira
Staff Members must log into the inspira Careers Home page using their index number and password.
Non-Staff Members must log into the inspira Careers Home page through the Careers Portal
gateway. A one-time registration and creation of a login account is required by completing the
registration process.

Step 3: Create and Update My Profile
The My Profile section of the application includes important personal information i.e. name, address,
phone number and primary email address. It is this information that the United Nations will use to
contact you during the application process.
Any changes you make to your profile will automatically be reflected in all of your application(s). You
can update the information in your profile at any time except for the following fields: First Name,
Last Name and Date of Birth.

Step 4: Complete the Application
Completing the application involves four parts:
Part 1 - Create Your Application
Once your profile is saved, you can create an application. It is suggested that you prepare your
application in advance even if you are not planning to apply for a job opening right away, so that once
a position of interest has been identified, the application process has already been started.
The application form consists of several sections: Preferences, Education and Work Experience,
Skills, References, and Cover Letter and Additional Information. Submitting a complete and accurate
application is integral in the application process.
A resume or CV is not accepted and is considered neither a substitute nor a complementary document
to a duly completed application. Any supplemental information or documentation that the
Organization may require will be requested in the course of the application.
Part 2 - Write the Cover Letter
Part of the application includes the writing of a cover letter. The cover letter is the personal
introduction that accompanies your application. A cover letter should be brief, three to four
paragraphs, and as targeted as possible to the position.
Part 3 - Access and Update Your Draft Application
When you apply to a job opening, the last version of your application appears. The application can
be updated as well as any draft applications that have been created and saved but not submitted to
a particular job opening. Once an application has been submitted to a job opening, it can no longer
be updated. It is recommended that you update your application for every job opening you apply to
so that it is targeted to the position.

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Part 4 - Apply to a Job Opening and Answer the Questions (as applicable)
To apply to a job opening, you have to link your application to the job opening of interest. Once you
have applied to the position a series of questions, (10 to 15) may appear. These questions are selected
from a library of questions, are objective and relate to the position. They are used to filter applicants
and a passing grade of 80% is required.

Step 5: Submit the Application
Submit your application as early as possible after a job opening has been posted and well before the
deadline date stated in the job opening. Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at
midnight (EST) on the deadline date. You will receive an e-mail acknowledgement confirming
successful submission of your application for the job opening.
Once you submit your application, it will go through a pre-screening process. The process checks the
information you entered in your application against the eligibility criteria. Passing the pre-screening
process would make you eligible for consideration.
Further communications between the Organization and you may vary depending on your suitability
and eligibility for the position.

Step 6: Assessment and Interview
Assessment
If you are found to be eligible for the position, you will be invited to undergo an assessment. The
assessment could be a written exercise, a case study, a presentation, a simulation exercise, a
technical test, an essay exercise, or another exercise to measure a particular set of skills
commensurate with the job.
Interview
Depending on your qualifications, the results of your answers to the questions and the assessment
exercise, you may be invited for a competency-based interview. Such an interview might be
conducted via telephone, video conference or in person. The competency-based interview serves
to learn more about your combination of skills, attributes and behaviours that are directly related
to the successful performance on the job.
Successful candidates are recommended for endorsement and presented for review to the
relevant Central Review body.

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Chapter 3: Understanding the Job Opening
3.1 Job Openings
Every job opening contains the following mandatory information:
Job Opening Heading Information
•

Job Title

•

Department/office

•

Duty Station

•

Posting Period

•

Job opening number

•

United Nations Core Values

Job Opening Description
•

Org. Setting and Reporting

•

Responsibilities

•

Competencies

•

Education

•

Work Experience

•

Languages

•

Assessment Methods

Every job opening contains the following statements:
•

United Nations Considerations statement

•

No Fee statement

The job opening may contain the following optional information:
•

Special Notice (Optional Phrases), where applicable

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3.2 Job Opening Heading Information

3.2.1 Job Title
The posting title as reflected in the published job opening may be changed from that of the GJP or
classified job description to better capture the position's actual functions in a particular office. For
example, ‘Senior Economic Affairs Officer’ might be changed to ‘Senior Water Transport Officer’,
‘Programme Management Officer’ to ‘Human Settlements Officer’ or ‘Chief of Service’ to ‘Chief,
Budget and Performance Reporting Service’. Professional project-related positions would typically be
advertised as ‘Expert, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice’ or ‘Expert, Terrorism Prevention’, etc.
The level of the position is clearly stated next to the job title.

3.2.2 Department/Office
The Department/Office briefly explains in one to three lines organizational unit's mission and the
reporting line for the position being advertised. Where a URL is indicated, this may prove useful for
applicants to review office structures and mandate achievements. It also provides information on the
size, location, history and work environment. The United Nations Careers Portal or an office's
individual site could provide further information.

3.2.3 Duty Station
The location of the position(s).

3.2.4 Posting Period
The date when the job opening was posted and the deadline date by which all applications must be
submitted. The job opening will be removed from the Careers Portal at midnight (EST) on the
deadline date.

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3.2.5 Job Opening Number Nomenclature
1. The job opening number is generated by inspira based on the advertised position’s attributes. It
consists of abbreviations of the calendar year, the job family, the department, a systemgenerated number, the position type and the duty station or multiple duty stations in addition to
a letter indicating the post nature. An example of a job opening number and an explanation of
the elements that comprise the job opening number is provided below.

•

Year

10 for 2010

•

Job Family

ECO for Economic

•

Department/Org.
Unit

DESA for Department of Economic and Social Affairs (the Department or Org. Unit can be
depicited here depending on which was selected during the creation of the job opening)

•

Number

inspira-generated number, e.g. 16281

•

Position type

this indicator could be: R for a Standard Requisition, D for a D2 level JO or P for a Continuous
Job Opening

•

Duty Station

“New York” or, where multiple identical positions are advertised, “MULTIPLE D/S”

•

Post Nature

Only one of the below indicators can be shown as they are mutually exclusive
G - indicates a position funded through the regular budget at the Professional and higher
levels, which has been earmarked for geographical status under the system of desirable
ranges.
L - indicates a language position at the Professional category for which a special United
Nations language examination is required (Translators, Interpreters, etc.).
R - indicates a regular budget funded position or a peacekeeping support account position for
one year or longer at the Professional and higher levels that are not geographic and not
language.
E - indicates a position at the Professional and higher levels funded by project funds
(typically used for Experts and Advisor positions) in the field.
X - indicates a position at the Professional and higher levels that is funded by voluntary
contributions or extra budgetary resources other than project funds, i.e. PSC (Peace and
Security Council), GTA (General Temporary Assistance) or TAM (Temporary Assistance for
Meeting) funds.
M - indicates a position in a peacekeeping operation or special political mission (typically
used for positions at the Field Service and at the Professional and higher levels).
O - indicates a General Service or related category position, except National Professional
Officer, irrespective of the source of funding

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T- indicates a temporary position for normally less than one year (not yet implemented)
N - indicates a National Professional Officer position

3.3 Job Opening Description
3.3.1 Org. Settings and Reporting Line
The Organizational setting and the reporting department.

3.3.2 Responsibilities
1. The job responsibilities are a description of the main tasks and duties of the position. This section
normally begins with a brief description of the organizational setting of the position to enable the
applicant to better identify the context of the job.
2. The main substantive functions of the position reflect:
a. what the incumbent actually "does," i.e. writes, prepares, translates, etc.
b. what bodies (e.g. the General Assembly or the Commission on the Status of Women) the
incumbent writes reports for, where applicable, and
c. with whom the incumbent interacts, works with, supervises or assists.

3.3.3 Competencies
1. The job opening contains a set of applicable United Nations Secretariat competencies with their
respective standard descriptions. The three most relevant competencies are included in job
openings at the General Service and related categories. For positions at the Professional and
higher levels, the three most relevant competencies are stated, plus two managerial
competencies for managerial positions. When selected for the competency-based interview, an
applicant will be evaluated on these competencies.
2. Also a set of skills, for example certain technical skills or special substantive skills, required to
successfully perform the functions of a position may be indicated in the job opening under the
competency "Professionalism."

3.3.4 Education
1. The educational requirements indicated in job openings reflect the minimum organizational
standard requirements for a given level and job title.
2. Additional educational requirements could be listed under the Licenses or Certificates area, for
example editorial and desktop publishing assistants, procurement certifications, audit
certifications, or accounting certifications.
3. Positions in the General Service and related categories
a. For consideration for positions in the General Service and related categories, the minimum
standard education requirement is a high school diploma.
b. Applicants are is also required to have successfully passed the United Nations Administrative
Support Assessment Test (UNASAT). In New York, additional formal special examinations are
required for accounting, statistical, editorial and desktop publishing assistants, and language
reference assistants at the G-7 level. This requirement will be listed as a pre-requisite under

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Licenses and Certifications.
4. Positions in the Professional and higher categories
a. An applicant for Professional and higher level positions is normally required to have an
advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent). Applicants with a first level
university degree combined with additional qualifying experience (earned after receipt of
degree) are also considered to have met the educational requirements equivalent to a
Masters. A first level university degree may not be substituted by relevant experience.
For example; an applicant with a first-level university and an additional two (2) years of
relevant work experience over the minimal requirement for the level of the position
(i.e. P-3 level positions, 5 years minimal + 2 additional years = 7 years experience is
equivalent to an applicant with an advanced university degree and 5 years experience).
b. When evaluating academic credentials of staff members and applicants, the United Nations
is guided by the "World Higher Education Database (WHED)" compiled by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) and the International
Association of Universities (IAU). This database provides a comprehensive list of higher
education institutions sanctioned or accredited by competent national authorities in
participating countries (referred to as the "IAU/UNESCO List").
Taking fully into account that the Member States have different education systems, the
United Nations references the credential level determined by competent national authorities
conferred by an institution in the participating countries provided in the IAU/UNESCO List.
This credential level is therefore referenced and used to determine the equivalence of the
applicant’s degree.
The table below shows the IAU/UNESCO credential level and the equivalence used by the
United Nations for recruitment purposes:
CREDENTIAL

IAU/UNESCO
LEVEL

Higher or Post Doctorate

Post Doctorate

Level 9

Doctorate

Level 9

Advanced/Post Graduate Degree

Master’s or equivalent

Level 7

Advanced/Post Graduate
Qualifaction (with research
training)

Master’s or equivalent

Level 7

Advanced/Post Graduate
Qualifaction (without research
training)

Master’s or equivalent

Level 7

First Terminal University Level
Qualification 4 years or more

Bachelor’s or equivalent

Level 5

First Terminal University Level
Qualification 3/4 years

Bachelor’s or equivalent

Level 5

Shorter/Intermediate University
Level Qualification

Lower than Bachelor’s
(Certificate/Diploma)

UN EQUIVALENCE

UN GUIDELINES

n/a

c. A serving staff member who is already serving at the Professional category and who does not
have a university degree may still be considered for a position at the Professional and above
levels, if he/she has been promoted to the Professional category after having passed the G
to P examination (staff members who have completed 5 years of service as of 1989).

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d. Certain positions require specialized studies for which a first-level university degree and
experience cannot be substituted for an advanced degree, such as Medical Doctors, the
appropriate degree is stated accordingly.
e. Functions in certain occupational groups or job families such as Security, Mine Action and
Crime Prevention, may have different standards for the minimum educational requirements.
These are reflected in their respective Generic Job Profiles (GJPs). A first-level university
degree may, in consultation with the HR office, be substituted with a diploma from a police
or military academy, which may be considered its equivalent. This would be stipulated in the
job opening.
5. Positions at the National Professional Officer level:
a. An applicant for a NPO level position must have as a minimum a first level university degree.
6. Professional Category Language Positions and other Areas:
a. Functions in other areas, mainly language posts, might require a first-level degree only and
the job opening would contain the relevant information with regard to the minimum
education requirements.
b. Professional certifications, where required or desired, are also indicated in the job opening.
This could for instance refer to a certified accountant or a public procurement certification.
c. Where the Organization requires internal certification for Professional category positions
performing significant functions in financial, human and physical resources as well as
information and communications technology, this is also specified.

3.3.5 Work Experience
1. The minimum experience requirements contained in GJPs are set to ensure the application of
organizational standards across the job families by capturing the following two parameters: the
required minimum number of years of experience (after completion of advanced university
degree) and the area of relevant experience.
2. Staff members applying for positions one level higher than their personal grade shall meet the
minimum work experience requirements of the position. In determining the eligibility of staff
members and other applicants against the level of the position for which they are applying, the
baseline for calculating the number of years of work experience required shall be established
using the following tables for each respective level:
a. For positions in the Professional and higher categories with an advanced university degree
(Masters or equivalent):
i.

P-2 level – a minimum of two (2) years (applicants who passed the National Competitive
Examination, now known as the Young Professionals Program(YPP), do not require the
two (2) years experience)

ii. P-3 level - a minimum of five (5) years
iii. P-4 level - a minimum of seven (7) years
iv. P-5 level - a minimum of ten (10) years
v. D-1 level - a minimum of fifteen (15) years
vi. D-2 level - over fifteen (15) years
b. For positions in the General Service and related categories with a high school diploma or
equivalent:

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GS-5 level – a minimum of five (5) years

ii. GS-6 level - a minimum of seven (7) years
iii. GS-7 level - a minimum of ten (10) years
iv. TC-4 level - a minimum of four (4) years
v. TC-5 level - a minimum of five (5) years
vi. TC-6 level - over seven (7) years
vii. TC-7 level – a minimum of twelve (12) years
viii.S-3 level - a minimum of five (5) years
ix. S-4 level - a minimum of nine (9) years
x. S-5 level - a minimum of twelve (12) years
xi. S-6 level - a minimum of fifteen (15) years
xii. S-7 level - a minimum of eighteen (18) years
c. For positions in the Field Service category with a high school diploma or equivalent:
i.

FS-4 level - a minimum of six (6) years

ii. FS-5 level – a minimum of eight (8) years
iii. FS-6 level - a minimum of ten (10) years*
iv. FS-7 level - a minimum of twelve (12) years*
* The minimum years of relevant work experience is reduced for candidates who possess a first level
university degree as follows: for FS-6, a minimum of 5 years of experience from 10; for FS-7, a
minimum of 7 years of experience from 12.

3. For a number of positions in the Professional category such as language positions in the job family
of Conference Management, the minimum number of years may be reduced from the standard as
reflected in the respective GJP.
4. Where a job opening for a Professional category position stipulates that a first-level university
degree may be substituted by another degree from e.g. a police academy, or another relevant
diploma typically, in the areas of Security, Mine Action or Crime Prevention, four additional years
are added to the minimum requirement of relevant years of experience at the respective level
to acknowledge the lack of the first-level university degree1.
5. For positions in the General Service and related categories, the standard minimum requirement
may vary from position to position and location to location.
6. For positions advertised at the P-3/FS-6 level, staff at the FS-5 level who are selected for such
positions may only be appointed at the FS-6 level, regardless of their academic qualifications,
due to the restrictions placed by the General Assembly on movement of staff from the General
Service and related categories to the Professional level. Staff already at the Professional level
may, of course, be appointed at the P-3 level.
7. For National Professional Officer positions, the required minimum number of years of experience
are:
a. NO-A level - a minimum of one to two (1-2) years
1

Functions in certain occupational groups or job families such as for example Security, Mine Action and Crime
Prevention, may have different standards for the minimum educational requirements. These are reflected in the
respective GJPs for their positions. A first-level university degree may, in consultation with the Recruiter, be
substituted with a diploma from a police or military academy which may be considered its equivalent.

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b. NO-B level - a minimum of two to three (2-3) years
c. NO-C level - a minimum of five (5) years
d. NO-D level - a minimum of seven (7) years
e. NO-E level - over seven (7) years

3.3.6 Languages
It is mandatory for an applicant to meet the required language skills as stipulated in the job opening.
A serving staff member who holds an appointment other than a temporary appointment and who does
not meet the language requirement, will be reviewed by the Recruiter. All others who do not meet
the language requirements are screened out and not eligible.

3.3.7 United Nations Considerations Statement
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in
any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the
United Nations - Chapter 3, Article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

3.3.8 Assessment Methods
The assessment method(s) applied during the evaluation process are indicated here. Typically,
evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a
competency-based interview .

3.3.9 Special Notice (where applicable)
Some positions have special attributes attached to them, such as for example that recruitment is
subject to availability of funding, as is often the case for project positions, or that recruitment is
effected on a local basis, as is the case positions in the General Service and related categories. Where
applicable, job openings contain a disclaimer making reference to such special conditions.

3.3.10 No Fee statement
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application,
interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). The United Nations does not concern itself
with information on applicants' bank accounts.

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Chapter 4: Understanding the Evaluation Criteria,
Eligibility Rules and Pre-Screening Process
This chapter provides insight on the evaluation criteria and the pre-screening process each applicant must undergo when applying for a position with the United Nations.

4.1 Evaluation Criteria
1. The evaluation criteria against which applicants are assessed stem from the GJP or an individually
classified job description and reflect the minimum organizational standards according to the
classified level and job title. They must be in line with the requirements stated in the job
opening.
2. Where qualifications are marked as “required” and these are not met by an applicant, the
applicant is screened out as he/she is considered not eligible. The only exception is an internal
applicant for whom the educational requirement may be waived i.e. an internal applicant at the
Professional category who does not possess a university degree is exempt from this requirement
if he/she has passed the G to P examination (staff members who have completed 5 years of
service as of 1989).
3. The applicant who meets all the required qualifications but does not meet the desirable
qualifications will be considered qualified for the post and will be considered for the assessment
exercises.
4. The evaluation criteria consist of:
a. Required years of work experience
Applicants meeting the required number of years of experience based on the information
provided in their application are considered eligible, applicants not meeting this
requirement are not considered further. Please refer to Section 3.4.5: Work Experience
for more information.
b. Required field of work and where applicable, area of specialty
Fields of work and/or areas of speciality form part of the evaluation criteria. Where more
than one field of work and/or area of specialty are indicated, this indicates that the
applicant is expected to have experience in at least one area. The language in the
published job opening will further define required versus desirable experience.
c. Required education qualifications including Licenses & Certificates
i.

The language in the published job opening will provide further details on the educational
requirements which should reflect the minimum organizational standard requirements
for a given level and job title and not be changed from the GJP/JD. However, additional
educational requirements may be listed as required and/or desirable, when justified, to
set additional criteria for selection of qualified and best qualified candidates

ii. For United Nations Headquarters New York, for positions as Accounting Assistants,
Editorial and Desktop Publishing Assistants, Language Reference Assistants at the G-7
level and Statistical Assistants, applicants are required to have successfully passed the
relevant license or certificate examination.
d. Required knowledge of languages
Applicants meeting the required level of knowledge based on the information provided
in their application are considered eligible. Please refer to paragraph Section 4.2.2.2:
Knowledge of Language for more information.

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e. Assessments (Tests)
i.

Traditionally, assessments have been limited to competency-based interviews. With the
launch of inspira, ideally at least two assessment methods (sources of evidence) will be
used. The Hiring Manager should choose from a combination of interviews and one of
many other assessment methods that simulate the work environment. The simulation
exercises are designed to imitate a particular task or skill(s) needed for the target job.

ii. At the time the job opening is created, the Hiring Manager also determines these
assessment methods as part of the evaluation criteria. The Hiring Manager prepares a
knowledge-based test or other qualification exercises, which may be essay questions,
technical tests or other assessment techniques to assist in the evaluation of the
applicant's substantive knowledge against the requirements of the vacant position.
Additional tests may be applied primarily for senior positions that involve managerial
responsibilities or for technical functions. The assessment method chosen forms part of
the evaluation criteria. Assessment methodologies will be undertaken commensurate to
the knowledge and competencies of the job opening. For example, the competency
Planning and Organizing will most likely be assessed through a simulation exercise. The
assessment method chosen is clearly stated on the job opening in order for the applicant
to know what to expect.
Assessment methods are discussed in more detail in Chapter 9: Undergoing the
Assessments.
f.

Competencies
i.

For positions in the Professional and higher category, the three most relevant United
Nations Secretariat competencies are included in job openings. For managerial positions,
the three most relevant are stated, plus two more managerial competencies. When
selected for the competency-based interview, an applicant will be evaluated on these
competencies.

ii. For positions in the General Service and related categories.
1. Every GJP and individually classified job description includes a set of applicable United Nations
Secretariat competencies with their respective standard descriptions.
a. For positions in the General Service and related category, the three most relevant
competencies, one of which is Professionalism, are included in the evaluation criteria for job
openings.
b. For positions at the Professional and higher levels, the three most relevant competencies,
are stated, plus two managerial competencies for managerial positions. The same number of
competencies shall be listed in the published job opening.
2. These definitions enable a common understanding of the core competencies required of all staff,
namely the combination of skills, personal attributes and behaviour assisting in building and
maintaining the capacity of staff and in promoting a new organizational culture.
3. Questions
a. A series of questions (10-15) from the questions library must be answered by each applicant.
Applicants are automatically pre-screened by the system as to how they have answered the
screening questions. A threshold of 80% is the passing grade and benchmark for eligibility.
Applicants meeting the required benchmark of 80% based on their answers are considered
eligible.
b. The Hiring Manager may also select one or more eliminating questions, Applicants who
answer these questions incorrectly will be screened out regardless on how thy did on the
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other screening questions.
c. For positions in the General Service and related categories, the Hiring Manager must select a
question about whether you passes the ASAT, which is a eliminating question.
4. The evaluation criteria against which an applicant is pre-screened and assessed stem from the
Generic Job Profile (GJP) or an individually classified Job Description (JD) and reflect the
minimum organizational standard requirements according to the classified level and job title and
must be in line with the requirements stated in the job opening.
5. Where one or more of these criteria are not met by an applicant, the applicant is screened out
as he/she is considered not qualified. The only exception is an internal applicant at the
Professional category who was promoted to the Professional category after having passed the G
to P examination who is eligible irrespective of whether he/she holds a university degree.
6. The applicant who meets all the required qualifications but does not meet the desirable
qualifications will be considered qualified for the post and will be released to the Hiring Manager
for his/her evaluation of the applicant's profile.

4.2 Understanding Pre-screening and Eligibility Rules
1. Every applicant must meet the required eligibility criteria in order to be eligible for
consideration. Some of these criteria apply to all applicants; some are only relevant to serving
staff, others only for positions at certain levels. The inspira tool performs pre-screening on
submitted applications against the eligibility criteria based on the information provided in the
application, therefore submitting an application containing comprehensive and accurate
information is of paramount importance.
2. The United Nations categorizes applicants into two (2) categories: Internal and External. A
serving staff member may be an internal or an external applicant and non-staff members are
considered external applicants as explained in the definitions below. It does not play a role in
your eligibility for the position but may be a factor during the selection process.

Internal Applicant
An internal applicant is a serving staff member serving in the United Nations Secretariat holding an
appointment under the Staff Rules, other than a temporary appointment under the UN Staff
Regulations and Rules, who have been recruited after a competitive process under staff rule 4.15
(review by a Central Review body) or staff rule 4.16 (competitive recruitment examination) and
whose appointment is not limited to service with a specific entity. Associate experts (Junior
Professional Officers) and staff members of the separately administered United Nations funds and
programmes are not considered internal applicants except as provided for in this definition. Women
who have been in service for a continuous period of 12 months with the separately administered
United Nations funds and programmes or any specialized agency or organizations of the United
Nations common system and whose appointments have been reviewed by a review body pursuant to
staff rules 4.15, are considered internal applicants when:
a. holding an appointment at the P-3 or P-4 level and applying for P-4 positions;
b. holding an appointment at the P-4 or P-5 level and applying for P-5 positions.
c. staff members of the separately administered United Nations funds and programmes are not
considered internal applicants. However, women who are serving with the separately
administered United Nations funds and programmes or any specialized agency or organization
of the United Nations common system holding a current appointment at the P-3 or P-4 levels
and who have been in service for a continuous period of 12 months and whose appointments
have been reviewed by a review body or equivalent in their organization are considered
internal applicants for positions at the P-4 or P-5 levels, respectively. Associate experts

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(Junior Professional Officers) are not considered internal applicants.

External Applicant
An external applicant is an individual who at the time of his/her application is not employed by the
United Nations Secretariat or who has not been recruited under Staff Rules 4.15 (following the review
by a Central Review body) and 4.16 (through a competitive recruitment examination). A staff member
whose appointment is limited to service in a particular department or office is also considered an
external applicant as well as associate experts, consultants, individual contractors, interns and gratis
personnel staff from other organizations of the United Nations System.

4.2.1 Prescreening
4.2.1.1 Age
1. An applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 59 years as of the application date to a job
opening to be eligible for consideration.
2. The Recruiter will review an applicant who is 59 years of age or over and not currently employed
by the Organization and will use judgment when making a determination as to whether the
individual is suitable for a specific position.
3. Applicants who have reached or will reach the mandatory age of separation pursuant to staff
regulations 9.2 less than 12 months after the date of application to a job opening shall be
considered ineligible when applying for a position through inspira.

4.2.1.2 Criminal Record
1. An applicant is required to indicate whether he/she has ever been arrested, indicted or
summoned into court as a defendant in a criminal proceeding, or convicted, fined or imprisoned
for the violation of any law (excluding minor traffic violations). An applicant whose answer is
‘yes’ is required to provide further details on each case.
2. An application indicating a ‘yes’ to this question is reviewed by the Recruiter. Based on the
answer the Recruiter will make a determination as to whether the applicant is eligible for
consideration. When in doubt, the case is referred to the Chief of the Headquarters Staffing
Section for all levels of positions administered by UNHQ’s OHRM or to the attention of the Chief
of the Recruitment and Placement Unit/Section of the respective local human resources office
or the Director of the Field Personnel Division for positions in peacekeeping operations and
special political missions, who may elevate the case to the Administrative Law Section at OHRM.

4.2.1.3 Family Relationships
This rule refers to appointments of family members within the same organization i.e. to family
relationships within the United Nations Secretariat exclusively and not to family relationships with
any of the separately administered organs, funds and programmes of the United Nations, including
UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF and UNOPS and not specialized agencies. An appointment shall not be
granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-children or stepsiblings of a staff member. The spouse/partner of a staff member may be appointed provided that:
a. he/she is fully qualified for the post for which he/she is being considered;
b. he/she is not assigned to serve in a post which is superior or subordinate in the line of
authority to the staff member to whom he/she is married; and
c. none of the two participates in the process of reaching or reviewing an administrative

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decision affecting the status or entitlements of the staff member to whom he/she is married.

4.2.1.4 Staff Member Holding a Temporary Appointment
1. Any staff member who is holding a temporary appointment is flagged for manual HR Assessment
and review if they apply within the same department as their current function and would be
considered ineligible to apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months
of the end of his/her current service.
2. A staff member who has been flagged for a manual Human Resources review will be reviewed
with regard to the post the staff member is placed (post number, functional title, level) against
the advertised position. The Recruiter will make a determination based information provided by
the STM and the IMIS data to determine whether or not this applicant is eligible to be considered
for the position for which he/she has applied.

4.2.1.5 Former UN Staff Members
1. A former staff member of the United Nations System is pre-screened whether he/she had
previously been summarily dismissed or separated for misconduct or for abandonment of post. If
yes, the applicant is not reviewed further.
2. A former staff member of the United Nations System is flagged for a manual Human Resources
review when the reason for separation was termination, agreed termination, or termination for
health reasons. The Recruiter will make a determination based on the information available and
in liaison with the respective Human Resources department of the Organization where the
individual was previously employed, as to whether he/she is eligible for consideration for
reappointment.

4.2.2 Eligibility Criteria for all Applicants
4.2.2.1 Academic Qualifications
1. An applicant is required to have the level of education as stated in the job opening.
2. Job openings for positions in the General Service (GS) and related categories require a high school
diploma.
3. Job openings for positions at the professional and higher category normally require an advanced
university degree.
a. Applicants with a first level university degree combined with additional qualifying experience
(earned after receipt of degree) are also considered to have met the educational
requirements equivalent to a Masters. A first level university degree may not be substituted
by relevant experience.
For example; an applicants with a first-level university degree and an additional two
(2) years of relevant work experience over the minimum requirement for the level
of the position (i.e. P-3 level positions, 5 years minimal + 2 additional years = 7
years) would be considered to have met the educational requirements equivalent to
a Masters degree.
b. Certain positions require specialized studies for which a first-level university degree and
experience cannot be substituted, such as Medical Doctors. For such positions, the minimum
requirements shall be indicated as advanced in both the job opening and evaluation criteria.
When evaluating academic credentials of staff members and applicants, the United Nations is

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guided by the "World Higher Education Database (WHED)" compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) and the International Association of
Universities (IAU). This database provides a comprehensive list of higher education institutions
sanctioned or accredited by competent national authorities in participating countries (referred
to as the "IAU/UNESCO List").
Taking fully into account that the Member States have different education systems, the United
Nations references the credential level determined by competent national authorities conferred by an institution in the participating countries provided in the IAU/UNESCO List. This
credential level is therefore referenced and used to determine the equivalence of the applicant’s degree.
The table below shows the IAU/UNESCO credential level and the equivalence used by the
United Nations for recruitment purposes:
CREDENTIAL

IAU/UNESCO
LEVEL

Higher or Post Doctorate

Post Doctorate

Level 9

Doctorate

Level 9

Advanced/Post Graduate Degree

Master’s or equivalent

Level 7

Advanced/Post Graduate
Qualifaction (with research
training)

Master’s or equivalent

Level 7

Advanced/Post Graduate
Qualifaction (without research
training)

Master’s or equivalent

Level 7

First Terminal University Level
Qualification 4 years or more

Bachelor’s or equivalent

Level 5

First Terminal University Level
Qualification 3/4 years

Bachelor’s or equivalent

Level 5

Shorter/Intermediate University
Level Qualification

Lower than Bachelor’s
(Certificate/Diploma)

UN EQUIVALENCE

UN GUIDELINES

n/a

4. Functions in certain occupational groups or job families such as Security, Mine Action and Crime
Prevention, may have different standards for the minimum educational requirements. These are
reflected in their respective GJPs. A first-level university degree may, in consultation with the
Recruiter, be substituted with a diploma from a police or military academy, which may be
considered its equivalent.
5. Functions in other areas, mainly language positions, might require a first-level degree only. The
GJPs for this specific group of positions contain the relevant information with regard to the
minimum education requirements.
6. An applicant is automatically pre-screened by the system for meeting the requisite level of
education based on the indication in his/her application.
7. When the requirement is not met, serving staff members holding an appointment other than a
temporary appointment are manually reviewed by the Recruiter. The Recruiter consults the
available information, including the UNESCO/IAU “World Guide to Higher Education”, IMIS data
and related software bridges, such as the 'EZ HR' tool in determining whether a particular
applicant is considered to potentially meet this requirement and is released to the Hiring
Manager. An applicant who is not a serving staff member and who does not meet the education
requirement is automatically screened out and not eligible.

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8. A staff member promoted to the Professional and higher categories after having passed the G to
P examination2 is exempt from the minimum educational requirements when applying to a job
opening at the Professional or higher category. Likewise exempt is a serving staff member at the
Professional level who does not possess a first-level university degree (staff members who have
completed 5 years of service as of 1989) but passed the G to P examination.
9. A staff member in the Professional and higher categories who does not possess a university
degree and who was recruited for job families such as for example, Security, Mine Action and
Crime Prevention, where the job opening (based on the GJP) for which he/she had initially been
recruited had a different standard for the minimum educational requirements, is only eligible for
other Professional and higher category positions where no university degree is required, most
likely in the same job family.
10. While only academic qualifications from accredited and officially recognized universities or
institutions are considered eligible, it should be noted that the accreditation status of an
educational institution is not part of the initial pre-screening, but will be verified when
background verifications3 are conducted for the selected candidate.

4.2.2.2 Knowledge of Language
1. An applicant must meet the language skills as stated in the job opening. The level of knowledge
is recorded as basic, confident or fluent. Job openings require either ‘fluency in’ or ‘knowledge
of’ a language. ‘Fluency’ equals ‘Fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, understand) and
‘knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in any of the two out of four areas.
2. An applicant is automatically pre-screened by the system for meeting the required knowledge of
languages based on the indication in his/her application. When this requirement is met, an
applicant is considered eligible. When the requirement is not met, serving staff holding an
appointment other than a temporary appointment are manually reviewed by the Recruiter who
uses judgement based on the available information, including IMIS data and related software
bridges, such as the 'EZ HR' tool in determining whether the applicant is released to the Hiring
Manager for evaluation. An applicant who is not a serving staff member and who does not meet
the language requirement is automatically screened out and not eligible.

4.2.2.3 Level of Job-Specific Expertise
For job openings that require the applicant to perform a self-assessment on a set of skills, the
applicant must possess the required level of expertise as stated in the job opening. Each higher-level
implies control of the previous level's functions and accuracy. The level of expertise is recorded as:
a. Not Applicable
b. Unsatisfactory
c. Partially Satisfactory
d. Satisfactory
e. Outstanding

2
3

ST/AI/2003/7 (abolished and replaced by ST/AI/2010/7 dated 1 June 2010)
Background verifications refer to checking the applicant's Academic Qualifications, Work Experience and Personal References

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4.2.3 Eligibility Criteria for a Serving Staff Member Holding an
Appointment other than a Temporary Appointment
4.2.3.1 Level
1. A serving staff member holding an appointment other than a temporary appointment is only
eligible to be considered for promotion to positions one level higher than his/her personal grade
in line with the Matrix for Pre-screening on Level in the annex. An exception is for a staff member
in the General Service and related categories who may apply for a position in the Field Service
category at any level irrespective of the grade held in the GS and related categories. This GS
applicant is considered an external applicant and must meet the length of work experience
requirement, in addition to meeting the other requirements such as academic qualifications,
knowledge of languages and skills.
2. A staff member in the General Service and related categories who was selected for a position in
the Field Service category at the FS-6 or FS-7 level and gives up the lien on his/her General
Service position by way of resignation to take up the FS level position is eligible to apply for
positions in the Professional category at the P-3 or P-4 levels as an FS-6 and P-4 or P-5 levels as
an FS-7 respectively, provided he/she meets the minimum education requirements of the
professional category position and has served at his/her FS-6 or FS-7 level for a period of one
year. This does not apply to General Service and related categories staff who take up an FS level
position on assignment with a temporary grade or otherwise retain a lien on their General Service
position.
3. In order to foster mobility, a staff member on appointment other than a temporary appointment
(with no appointment limitations) from a Headquarters location, including the Secretariat of the
regional commissions, selected for assignment to a position at one level higher than his/her
current grade mission or field office of a Secretariat entity with field activities4 for one year or
longer, where a lien is maintained against a position at the parent duty station, may be
temporarily promoted to the level of the position in the mission or a field office of a Secretariat
entity with field activities for the duration of the assignment. A staff member temporarily
promoted may apply during the mission assignment to job openings at one level higher than his/
her temporary grade level, provided that the staff member has spent more than 12 continuous
months in the mission assignment or a field office of a Secretariat entity with field activities. At
the end of this assignment, the staff member will revert to his/her original grade level at the
parent duty station and henceforth only applies to job openings at one (1) level above his/her
original level.
4. A staff member from a peacekeeping operation, special political mission and field-based
initiative who is selected for a position at one level higher than his/her current grade level from
a roster, endorsed by the Central Review bodies, for a job opening of a finite nature at an
established duty station or Regional Commission, may also temporarily be promoted to the level
of the position for the duration of the assignment. During this assignment, the staff member may
apply to job openings at one level higher than his/her temporary grade level, provided the
individual has spent more than 12 continuous months on the assignment. At the end of his/her
assignment in the peacekeeping operation or special political mission, the staff member will
revert to his/her original level at the former duty station and may henceforth only apply to job
openings one level above his/her original level.
5. A staff member in the Professional and higher categories who is an internal applicant and who is
appointed to serve with the United Nations System at a higher level on an inter-agency
secondment basis is granted a lien against a specific post for up to two years. For purposes of
consideration for job openings during the secondment period, the staff member is recognised as
an internal applicant and his/her higher level and step recognised by the Secretariat. After two
4

OCHA, OCHR,OIOS,UNICRI,DESA (projects), UN Habitat, UNEP or UNODC

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years, should the staff member wish to remain on secondment, and subject to the agreement of
the releasing department and the receiving entity or transfer to the receiving organization shall
be initiated unless the staff member indicates that he/she would like to return to the Secretariat.
6. The personal grade of a serving staff member holding an appointment other than a temporary
appointment is either his/her current level upon initial appointment, upon promotion, or upon
temporary promotion in a field office. A staff member may also be granted a Special Post
Allowance (SPA) to a higher level. A staff member in receipt of SPA is eligible to apply for
promotions one level above his/her original level. In most cases, this equals the SPA level, except
for staff members in the General Service and related categories who may exceptionally receive
SPA at the P-1 or P-2 levels, but who are otherwise not eligible to apply for positions in the
Professional categories.
7. An applicant is automatically pre-screened by the system for meeting the above requirements as
per the date of the application. When a serving staff member holding an appointment other than
a temporary appointment does not meet the requirement, he/she is manually reviewed by the
Recruiter who uses judgement based on the available information, including IMIS data and
related software bridges, such as the 'EZ HR' tool as to whether this particular applicant is
considered eligible or not eligible.
8. Although associate experts are considered external applicants, they are not eligible to apply to
positions higher than one (1) level above their personal grade.

4.2.3.2 Promotion to P-5 Positions
1. Staff members in the professional category shall have at least two prior lateral moves, which may
take place at any level in that category, before being eligible to be considered for promotion to
the P-5 level, subject to the following provisions:
a. In order to meet the General Assembly’s concern about high job opening rates in some
Regional Commissions and duty stations, particularly those in developing countries, the
requirement shall be reduced to one lateral move when a staff member has served in the
professional category in Nairobi or a Regional Economic Commission other than the Economic
Commission for Europe or any duty station with a hardship classification of A, B, C, D or E5.
for one year or longer, or when a staff member is applying for a P-5 position at those duty
stations from another duty station;
b. Staff recruited at the P-4 level shall become eligible for promotion to the P-5 level after one
lateral move at the P-4 level;
c. The requirement for lateral moves is waived when a staff member has served for one (1) year
or longer in the Professional and higher categories or at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field
Service category in a non-family mission or non-family duty station; and
d. The requirement for lateral moves is waived for staff serving against language posts that are
subject to the provisions of the administrative instruction setting out special conditions for
recruitment and placement of candidates successful in a competitive examination for posts
requiring specific language skills6 when applying for another such language position.
5

The International Civil Service Commission has placed all duty stations in one of six categories, H and A to E. H duty
stations are headquarters and similarly designated locations where the United Nations Secretariat has no development or humanitarian assistance programmes, or locations in countries which are members of the European Union.
A to E duty stations are field duty stations. Hardship categorization assesses the overall quality of life at a duty
station. In determining the degree of hardship, consideration is given to local conditions of safety and security,
health care, education, housing, climate, isolation and the availability of the basic amenities of life. Duty stations
are categorized on a scale of difficulty from A to E with A being the least difficult.
ST/AI/1998/7 dated 23 March 1998 entitled “Competitive Examination for Recruitment and Placement in Posts Requiring Specific Language Skills in the Professional Category.

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2. This requirement applies to a serving staff member holding an appointment other than a
temporary appointment except for paragraph above. It does not apply to a serving staff member
holding a temporary appointment; a female applicant at the P-4 level serving in an Organization
of the United Nations System, who is otherwise considered an internal applicant; or an applicant
who is not a serving staff member of the United Nations Secretariat.
3. A lateral move is defined as a move to a different position at the same level for a duration of at
least one year. The new position may be in the same or a different department/ office/mission,
in the same or a different duty station and in the same or a different job family. Inter-agency
loans or other movements to and from other organizations of the United Nations System are
recognized as “lateral moves”. Within the same department or office, a lateral move will
normally involve a change in functions with or without a change of supervisor. When the
supervisor remains the same, there will be a lateral move if the responsibilities are substantially
different, for example, if there is a different area of responsibilities or a change in the
departments/offices/missions serviced by the staff member. A change in supervisor without a
change in functions does not represent a lateral move. Temporary assignments of at least three
months but less than one year, with or without special post allowance, shall also qualify as a
lateral move when the cumulative duration of such assignments reaches one year.
4. For a serving staff member holding an appointment other than a temporary appointment and for
the purpose of meeting the lateral move requirement, in instances where the lateral move was
with a non-Secretariat entity within the United Nations System or affiliated international
Organization, the move shall count if there was no break in service prior to joining the United
Nations Secretariat.
5. The Recruiter shall contact the applicant who is a serving staff member holding an appointment
other than a temporary appointment whose application does not clearly indicate whether he/she
meets the lateral move requirement and request him/her to provide the information necessary
to determine whether he/she meets the lateral move requirement, as explained above. For
example, this could be a copy of an e-PAS reflecting new functions or an attestation from the
supervisor. The Recruiter shall expect to receive all requested information within three working
days of receipt of the message in order to expedite the review process. The Recruiter, in
consultation with the executive office, where such an office exists, determines based on the
available information, including IMIS data and related software bridges, such as the ‘EZ HR’ tool
in determining whether or not a particular applicant meets the lateral move requirement.
6. A staff member applying for P-5 positions is encouraged to review his/her application to ensure
that it properly reflects all qualifying lateral moves for consideration, i.e. in cases where the
applicant has worked with one employer but held several positions, he/she must indicate every
job and level held separately.

4.2.3.3 Language Staff Member Applying to Non-Language Positions
1. A language staff member in the professional category is expected to serve for at least five years
in a language post before he/she may be selected for a non-language position.7
2. An applicant is automatically pre-screened by the system as meeting or not meeting this
requirement. When this requirement is met, an applicant is considered eligible. When the
requirement is not met, the Recruiter manually reviews a serving staff member holding an
appointment other than a temporary appointment. The Recruiter uses his/her judgement based
on the information available, including IMIS data and related software bridges, such as the 'EZ HR'
tool to determine whether an individual meets this requirement and whether or not an applicant
is released to the Hiring Manager for evaluation.
7

As stated in Section 2.2 of ST/AI/2000/1 dated 12 January 2000 and amended by ST/AI/2003/1 dated 27 January 2003 entitled
“Special conditions for recruitment or placement of candidates successful in a competitive examination for posts requiring special language skills”.

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4.2.3.4 Eligibility Criteria for FS Levels Applying for P Positions
Staff members in the Field Service category at the FS-6 level may apply to positions at the P-3 and
P-4 levels, provided that they have served for one year at their current level and meet the academic
qualifications required for an appointment to the professional category. Staff in the Field Service
category at the FS-7 level may apply to positions at the P-4 and P-5 levels, provided that they have
served for one year at their current level, meet the academic qualifications required for an
appointment to the professional category and for P-5 positions, if he/she satisfies the lateral move
requirements (as outlined in the Promotion to P-5 Positions section) for promotion to the P-5 level.

4.2.3.5 Eligibility Criteria for a Local GS Staff Member Applying to NPO
Positions
A local GS staff member, at any level, who has the nationality of the country of his/her duty station
is eligible to apply for any National Professional Officer (NPO) level position at the same duty station.

4.2.4 Eligibility Criteria for a Non-Serving Staff Member or Serving
Staff Member Holding a Temporary Appointment
4.2.4.1 Length of Work Experience
1. All applicants must meet the minimum years of experience stated in the job opening.
2. The minimum experience requirements contained in GJPs are set to ensure organizational
standards across job families by capturing the following two parameters: the area of relevant
experience and the required minimum number of years of experience.
3. Staff members applying for positions one level higher than their personal grade shall meet the
minimum work experience requirements of the position. In determining the eligibility of staff
members and other applicants against the level of the position for which they are applying, the
baseline for calculating the number of years of work experience required shall be established
using the following tables for each respective level:
a. For positions in the Professional and higher categories with advanced university degree
(Masters or equivalent):
i.

P-2 - a minimum of two (2) years (applicants who passed the National Competitive
Examination - now known as the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) - do not require
the two (2) years of experience)

ii. P-3 - a minimum of five (5) years
iii. P-4 - a minimum of seven (7) years
iv. P-5 - a minimum of ten (10) years
v. D-1 - a minimum of fifteen (15) years
vi. D-2 over 15 years
g. For positions in the General Service and related categories with high school diploma or
equivalent:
i.

GS-5 - a minimum of five (5) years

ii. GS-6 - a minimum of seven (7) years
iii. GS-7 - a minimum of ten (10) years

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iv. TC-4 - a minimum of four (4) years
v. TC-5 - a minimum of five (5) years
vi. TC-6 - a minimum of seven (7) years
vii. TC-7 - a minimum of ten (10) years
viii.TC-8 - a minimum of twelve (12) years
ix. S-3 - a minimum of five (5) years
x. S-4 - a minimum of nine (9) years
xi. S-5 - a minimum of twelve (12) years
xii. S-6 - a minimum of fifteen (15) years
xiii.S-7 - a minimum of eighteen (18) years
n. For positions in the Field Service category with high school diploma or equivalent:
i.

FS-4 - a minimum of six (6) years

ii. FS-5 - a minimum of eight (8) years
iii. FS-6 - a minimum of ten (10) years*
iv. FS-7 - a minimum of twelve (12) years*
* The minimum years of relevant work experience is reduced for candidates who possess a first
level university degree as follows: for FS-6, a minimum of 5 years of experience; for FS-7, a
minimum of 7 years of experience.
4. For a number of professional category language positions in the job family Conference
Management, the minimum number of years may be reduced from the standard as reflected in
the respective GJP is indicated in the job opening accordingly.
5. For positions in the General Service and related categories, the standard minimum requirement
may vary from position to position and location to location. Please consult with your Executive
Office or local human resources office.
6. For positions advertised at the P-3/FS-6 level, staff at the FS-5 level who are selected for such
positions may only be appointed at the FS-6 level, regardless of their academic qualifications,
due to the restrictions placed by the General Assembly on movement of staff from the General
Service and related categories to the Professional level. Staff already at the Professional level
may, of course, be appointed at the P-3 level.
7. An applicant is automatically pre-screened by the system as meeting or not meeting the required
length of work experience based on the indication in his/her application.
8. When this requirement is met, an applicant is considered eligible. The applicant who does not
meet the requirement for length of work experience is not eligible and automatically screened
out.

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4.2.4.2 Eligibility Criteria for a Serving Staff Member Holding a Temporary
Appointment or Serving as an NPO
1. Except for a staff member holding a temporary appointment who serves in missions, a staff
member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and higher
categories, normally for less than one year, and placed in a position authorized for one year or
longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the
end of his/her current service.
2. National Professional Officers may apply for positions at levels outlined in the Matrix for Prescreening on Level section in the Annex and are considered external applicants.

4.2.4.3 Eligibility Criteria of non-Staff Members and Serving Staff Members
Holding a Temporary Appointment
1. Internal staff members occupying a position that is later posted as a temporary vacancy are
eligible to apply to the temporary position.
2. Pending the outcome of the selection process for a regular job opening, an external applicant
who has been screened in for consideration for the specific position (regular job opening) cannot
be considered for the same position if it is subsequently advertised as a temporary job opening.

4.2.4.4 United Nations Volunteer
1. United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) are eligible to apply for positions in a mission other than the
mission they are serving in after completing a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months of
service as a United Nations Volunteer at their current duty station. A UNV who has served for less
than one year is not eligible for a mission appointment unless a period of six months has elapsed
following completion of the UNV service.
2. A UNV is pre-screened by the system against the above criteria based on the information stated
in his/her application. An applicant who does not meet the above requirements is screened out
and is not eligible.
3. Notwithstanding the eligibility rules for positions in missions, United Nations Volunteers may
apply for any other position in the United Nations Secretariat provided they meet the required
qualifications. United Nations Volunteers are considered external applicants.

4.2.4.5 Eligibility for Current or Former Consultants, Individual Contractors
and Interns
1. Interns, consultants, individual contractors and gratis personnel are not eligible to apply for or
be appointed to any position in the Professional or higher categories and for positions at the
FS-6 and FS-7 levels within six months of the end of his/her last/current service and are
considered external applicants after the six-month period. The only exception is an individual
who has successfully passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP) (previously
the NCRE) or a United Nations Language Competitive Examination.
2. This restriction does not apply to associate experts; however, an associate expert is also
considered an external applicant.
3. Every application is automatically pre-screened against the above indicator based on the
information stated by the applicant in his/her application. An individual who is currently or has
previously served as consultant, individual contractor and/or intern and who does not meet the
above requirements is not eligible.

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4.2.5 Eligibility for a Female Applicant Serving in the UNS at the
Professional Level
In order to increase the pool of eligible female candidates, women serving with the United Nations
System at the professional category, who have served for at least one year are considered internal
applicants if their appointment has been reviewed by the Central Review body or equivalent at the
parent office as follows: female applicants serving at the P-3 and P-4 levels when applying for P-4
positions and female applicants serving at the P-4 and P-5 levels when applying to P-5 positions.
Therefore, the same eligibility rules that apply to serving staff other than those holding a temporary
appointment apply to them as well, the only exception being the requirement of two lateral moves
for consideration to positions at the P-5 level.

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Chapter 5: Search for Job
Openings and Create a Job Alert

5. Searches can be performed using any one of the following
methods:

1. Job openings are published on the Careers Portal. You can search
for a job opening from the Careers Portal or from the inspira
Careers Home page. Registration or login to inspira is not required
when performing searches from the Careers Portal. However,
login is required to perform job searches from the Careers Home
page, create a job alert or to submit an application to a job
opening.

a. track your applications;
b. track your roster membership;
d. save the search criteria as a Job Alert and have the results
matching the criteria sent to your e-mail address specified in
your My Profile; and
e. complete an application in advance without immediately
applying for a job opening;
f.

select and modify a previously created application or create a
new application when applying to a job opening.

3. The applicant is encouraged to review and understand the
requirements of the position prior to applying for the job opening.

b. Am I able to do the job with minimal training?
c. What is an acceptable knowledge gap?
Job Opening = Transferable Skills + Knowledge Gap

Search Job Openings section on the Careers Portal

•

Basic Job Search from the inspira Careers Home page

•

Advanced Search link on the inspira Careers Home page

•

Search using the Run Search function under the My Saved
Search and Job Alerts tab.

5.1 Search for Job Openings
5.1.1 Using the Job Opening Link on the Careers
Portal
Registration and Login to inspira to perform a search using the Job
Opening link on the Careers Portal is not required.

4. Typically, in doing an analysis of a job opening, an applicant should
ask himself/herself:
a. Are they looking for competencies, skills and experience that I
have?

Job openings link on the Careers Portal

•

The Basic Job Search, Advanced Search and applying
through an Application require Staff Members to login
to inspira and non-Staff Members to register and login
to inspira. Non-Staff Members, who have not yet
registered, refer to Getting Started, Section 1.2.2:
Non-Staff Members Registration and Login.

2. The following functions are available in inspira when browsing
through the job openings:

c. actively search for job openings according to certain criteria;

•

Staff Members, may search for job openings through the
Careers Portal, using their index number and password.
To search, view and apply to a Job Opening using the Job openings
link, perform the following steps:
1. From the Careers Portal, scroll down the middle of the page and
under the column How do I apply? click on the Job openings link.
2. The Job Openings page appears. Job openings are organized by
the category they belong to and there is a tab for each category

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(i.e. Professional and higher categories, Field services, General
services and related categories, Internships). Select your preferred
job category to display the list of job openings with details
described below:

a. Job Title contains the posting title of the position which links
to the job description details;
b. Level refers to the grade level of the position;
c. Job ID is a unique number assigned by inspira to every job
opening;

To view jobs that span more than one page, use the
navigation page buttons i.e. 1, 2, etc. or the scrollbar
or sort by clicking on the header columns.

d. Job Network refers to groupings of job families;
e. Job Family refers to the occupational group or sub-group to
which the position belongs;
f.

Department/Office indicates the department/office of the
position

g. Duty station specifies the location of the position;
h. Deadline refers to the date when job openings posted on the
Careers Portal are taken off (by midnight of deadline date).
3. Click on the job title to review requirements of the position. For a
description of the typical contents found in a job opening, refer to
Chapter 3: Understanding the Job Opening.
4. Take the time to review and understand the requirements of the
position before applying for the job.
5. Once you have reviewed the requirements of the job opening, from
the Job Opening page you can:
a. Click on the Email to Friend button to send the job opening to
a friend;
b. Click on the Print button to print the job opening; or
c. Click on the Apply Now button to apply to the job. Refer to
Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening, for more information on
how to apply to an interested job opening.

In order to save or apply to a job opening, you must
be logged into inspira.

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5.1.2 Search Job Openings Section on the
Careers Portal
Login to inspira is not required when searching for a job opening
through the Search Job Opening section on the Careers portal.

Staff Members, may search for job openings through the
Careers Portal, using their index number and password.
The Job Openings section on the Careers Portal allows you to enter
specific criteria such as job Category, Level, Job Network, Job Family,
Department/Office, and Duty Station and By date posted to narrow
your search.
1. From the Careers Portal, scroll down to the Search Job Openings
section.
2. Complete one or more of the following fields with your criteria:
a. Category refers to one of the following categories:
Use the Reset button if you want to reset the fields
to their default values.

Professional and Higher Categories - generally demand a high
degree of analytical skill, communication skills, substantive
expertise and/or managerial leadership ability. Staff
members in the Professional and higher categories are
normally required to have as a minimum a first level
university degree from an accredited university or institution.
An advanced degree may be required for some functions, as
specified in the job opening. A combination of relevant
academic qualifications and extensive experience may be
accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Staff
members in the Professional category are normally recruited
with international benefits and entitlements, except for
National Professional Officers.

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Nations Offices, agencies, funds and programmes have
separate internship arrangements.
Interns at the United Nations Headquarters Secretariat are
not paid. The intern or any relevant sponsoring institution
must cover all costs of travel and accommodation,
including living expenses. Eligible candidates interested in
doing an internship at the United Nations Headquarters in
New York can apply by visiting the United Nations Human
Resources website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/sds/
internsh/index.htm.
b. Level refers to the grade level of the position. Depending on
the category selected, the position levels are as follows:
i.

ii. Field Service - support peacekeeping, relief and
humanitarian operations by undertaking functions related
to the provision of land transport or vehicles, secretarial
services, security services, financial services and
administrative services; operations and maintenance of
communication facilities and equipment; custody of
supplies, records and properties.
iii. General Service and Related Categories - are recruited on
a local basis in the country of the office, irrespective of
their nationality and the length of time they may have
been in the country. The allowances and benefits are
adapted to local conditions at the applicable duty station.
iv. National Professional Officers - normally locally recruited
and performed functions at the professional level. Jobs for
NPO can only be found in non-HQ duty stations.
v. Internship - the United Nations provides opportunities for
students enrolled in a graduate programme to undertake
an internship. This Internship Programme is for the United
Nations Headquarters in New York only. Other United

For Professional (P) and Higher Categories i.e. Director (D)
level
The level within a category increases with the
amount of work experience required for a certain
position.

ii. For Field Service (FS) Category - the FS category ranges
from levels FS-4 to FS-7, with FS-6 and FS-7 being
comparable to the P-3 and P-4 levels.
iii. For General Service and Related Categories - employees in
General Service (G-1 to G-7) and related categories i.e.
Trade & Crafts (TC), Security Service (S), and Public
Information Assistant (PIA) perform support functions.
iv. For NPO - position levels include NO-A through NO-E.
v. For Internship - position level include Intern 1 (I1).
For more information about the various grade levels, click
on the Staff Categories link
c. Job Network - are groupings of job families. Select the job
network you are interested. For more information about the
various Job Networks, click on the Job Networks link located in
the What can I do at the UN? column.

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d. Job Family - depending on the job network indicated, select
the job family or families you are interested in. You can select
multiple job families by specifying All.

5. Click on the job title to review the requirements of the job
opening. For a description of the typical contents found in a job
opening, refer to Chapter 3: Understanding the Job Opening.

e. Department/Office - select the department/office where you
wish to work, if known. Otherwise, select All.
f.

Duty Station - select the location(s) where you wish to work;
this field contains locations of main offices, regional and subregional offices and field mission locations. You can select
multiple locations by specifying All.

g. By date posted - select the time period during which the job
opening was posted.

Take the time to review and understand the
requirements of the position before applying for the
job.
6. Once you have reviewed the requirements of the job opening, from
the Job Opening page you can:

3. When done specifying criteria in the job search fields, click on
Search button.
4. The Job Openings page appears. Job openings are organized by the
category they belong to and there is a tab for each category (i.e.
Professional and higher categories, Field services, General services
and related categories, Internships). Select your preferred job
category to display the list of job openings with details described
below:

a. Click on the Email to Friend button to send the job opening to
a friend;

In order to save or apply to a job opening, you must
be logged into inspira.

To view jobs that span more than one page, use the
navigation page buttons i.e. 1, 2, etc. or the scrollbar
or sort by clicking on the header columns.
a. Job Title contains the posting title of the position which links
to the job description details;
b. Level refers to the grade level of the position;
c. Job Network refers to groupings of job families;
d. Job Family refers to the occupational group or sub-group to
which the position belongs;
e. Department/Office indicates the department/office of the
position;
f.

Duty station specifies the location of the position;

g. Deadline refers to the date when job openings posted on the
Careers Portal are taken off (by midnight of deadline date).

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5.1.3 Basic Job Search
Registration and Login to inspira to perform a Basic Job Search on the
Careers Home page is required.

Staff Members, may search for job openings through the
Careers Portal, using their index number and password.
Basic searches for job openings can be performed by using keyword
descriptions and/or the time when the job opening was posted.
Keywords are words, phrases and acronyms used to describe the target
job. Keywords can be anything from job titles to required skills.
1. Log in to inspira; refer to Getting Started, Section 1.2: Register and
Login to inspira.
2. On the Careers Home page, in the Basic Job Search section
complete the following fields:

b. Click on the Apply Now button to apply to the job opening.
Refer to Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening, for more
information on how to apply to an interested job opening.

a. Job Family - select the occupational group you are interest is
seeking.
b. Category - select the category of the position you are
interested in seeking, e.g. P - Professional.
c. Level - select the level of the category of the position you are
interested in seeling, e.g. P-4.
d. Keywords - this field is optional but by entering a keyword, you
will narrow your search. Keywords are words, phrases and
acronyms used to describe the target job and can be anything
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from job titles to required skills. You can use the wildcard * in
combination with the keyword, e.g. Program*, all job openings
that contain a word starting with 'Program...' will be retrieved.

5. In the Search Results section you can:

e. Posted - select the timeframe in which the job openings were
posted, e.g. Last Month will retrieve job openings posted on
the Careers Portal in the last 30 days.
3. Click on the Search button. The Search Results section displays
job openings that contain the keyword specified and that were
posted in the specified timeframe.
Job Title displays a list of job openings
according to their functional titles.
Clicking on the job title opens the
positions job description

VIew Cancelled Job
Openings/Filled
from Roster

a. Select and apply to the job opening of interest. You can only
submit an application to one job opening at a time.
b. Click on the Job Title to view information about the Job
Opening.
c. View additional information about the job opening, such as:
i.

Level refers to the category and grade level of the
position, e.g. P-2 refers to a professional position that
requires a minimum of 2 years of work experience.

ii. JobID refers to a unique system-generated number used to
identify the job opening.
iii. Job Network refers to groupings of job families.
iv. Job Family refers to the occupational group or sub-group
to which the position belongs.
v. Department/Office indicates the department/office of
the position.
vi. Duty station specifies the location of the position.
vii. Deadline refers to the date when job openings posted on
the Careers Portal are taken off (at midnight (EST) of
deadline date).

Duty Station displays the
geographical location of
the position

Deadline displays the closing date
for the position. This is the date by
which all applications to the
position must be received (at
midnight (EST) of the date posted)

4. Click on the expand icon to view Quick Search criteria which allows
you to:
•

view the search criteria used;

•

enter a new search criteria and perform a new Search; or

•

click on the Save Search button and create a Job Alert.
Refer to Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening.
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6.

Click on the job title to view the job opening.

2. Log in to inspira; refer to Getting Started, Section 1.2: Register and
Login to inspira. On the Careers Home page, in the Basic Job Search
box click on the Advanced Search link. The Advanced Job Search
page appears. On the Advanced Job Search page, you can fine-tune
your search by completing one or more of the following fields:

Take the time to review and understand the
requirements of the position before applying for
the job opening.
7. Once you have reviewed the requirements of the job opening you
are interested, from the Job Opening page you can:
a. Click on the Email to Friend button to send the job opening to
a friend;

Use Clear to reset the fields to the default values
when necessary.
a. Job Opening ID - click on the Look up icon, locate and select
a job opening you may be interested in, if known.

In order to save or apply to a job opening, you must
be logged into inspira.
b.

b. Find Jobs Posted Within - select the timeframe in which the
job opening were posted, e.g. Last Month will retrieve job
opening posted on the Careers Portal in the last 30 days.

Click on the Save Job button to save the job opening in your
My Saved Jobs folder for retrieval later; or

c. Job Title - enter the posting title of the position, if known.

c. Click on the Apply Now button to apply to the job opening.
Refer to Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening, for more
information on how to apply to an interested job opening.

5.1.4 Advanced Job Search
Registration and Login to inspira to perform an Advanced Job Search
on the Careers Home page is required.

Staff Members, may search for job openings through the
Careers Portal, using their index number and password.
1. Advanced job search allows you to run a more targeted search by
indicating additional criteria such as, Job Locations or Job
Families.

Search will retrieve
job openings that
match the criteria
you entered

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Save Search Criteria
allows you to save the
criteria you entered as a
Job Alert

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)
d. Category - select a category. Category refers to:
•

ASG - Assistant Secretary-General

•

P - Professional and Higher Categories

•

D - Director

•

FS - Field Service

•

G - General Service and Related Categories

•

TC - Trade & Crafts

•

S - Security Service and Public Information Assistant
perform support functions

•

I - Interpreter

•

Intern - Intern

•

LT - Language Teacher

•

NO - National Officer

•

USG - Under-Secretary General

•

T - Translator

Enter Keywords - Keywords are words, phrases and acronyms
used to describe the target job and can be anything from job
titles to required skills. You can use the wildcard * in
combination with the keyword, e.g. Program*, all job openings
that contain a word starting with 'Program...' will be retrieved.

k. Display Results Sorted by - select how you want the search
results displayed.
3. Once you have entered your criteria, you can perform one of the
following steps:
a. Search for job openings that match the specified criteria; or
b. Save the specified criteria as a Job Alert by clicking on the
Save Search button. Refer to Section 5.2: Create a Job Alert
for more information on Job Alerts.
4. Click on the Search button. The Search Results section displays job
openings that match the specified criteria.

e. Level - select a level, Level refers to the grade level of the
position.
f.

Duty Station - select the location(s) where you wish to work;
this field contains locations of main offices, regional and subregional offices and field mission locations; you can select
multiple locations by using the Ctrl key (for individual
selections) or the Shift key (for consecutive group selections)
keys.

g. Department/Office - select the department/office for the
position.
h. Job Networks - select a job network from the list. Job
networks are groupings of job families.
i.

Job Family - depending on the job network indicated, select
the job family or families you are interested in; you can select
multiple entries by using the Ctrl (for individual selection) or
Shift (for consecutive group selections) keys.
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position, e.g. P-2 refers to a professional position that
requires a minimum of 2 years of work experience.

Job Title displays a list of job openings
according to their functional titles.
Clicking on the job title opens the
positions job description

VIew Cancelled Job
Openings/Filled
from Roster

Duty Station displays the
geographical location of
the position

Take the time to review and understand the
requirements of the position before applying for
the job opening.

Deadline displays the closing date
for the position. This is the date by
which all applications to the
position must be received (at
midnight (EST) of the date posted)

5. Click on the expand icon to view Quick Search criteria which allows
you to:
•

view the search criteria used;

•

enter a new search criteria and perform a new Search; or

•

click on the Save Search button and create a Job Alert.
Refer to Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening.

7. Once you have reviewed the requirements of the job opening you
are interested, from the Job Opening page you can:
a. Click on the Email to Friend button to send the job opening to
a friend;

In order to save or apply to a job opening, you must
be logged into inspira.

6. In the Search Results section you can:
a. Select and apply to the job opening of interest. You can only
submit an application to one job opening at a time.
b. Click on the Job Title to view information about the Job
Opening.

b. Click on the Apply Now button to apply to the job opening.
Refer to Chapter 8: Applying for a Job Opening, for more
information on how to apply to an interested job opening.

c. View additional information about the job opening, such as:
i.

Level refers to the category and grade level of the
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5.1.5 View Cancelled Job Openings/Filled from
Roster
Job openings that have been cancelled or filled from a roster do not
appear in your search results. To view these job openings, perform the
following steps:
1. On the Job Search Results page, click on the View Jobs Cancelled/
Filled from Roster link to view a list of these jobs.

2. Locate the saved search you wish to run and click on the Run
Search button. Job openings matching your saved search criteria
appear in the Search Results page.

5.2 Create a Job Alert
You can save the job search criteria as a Job Alert and have the results
matching the search criteria sent to your specified e-mail address. The
Job Alert feature sends out newly posted job openings once per hour.
The job search criteria can be edited and the Job Alert notification
turned on/off at any time. The saved search criteria can also be
deleted as desired.
2. Click on the job title to view the job opening.

Registration and Login to inspira to create a job alert is required.

Staff Members, may search for job openings through the
Careers Portal, using their index number and password.

5.1.6 Search Using My Saved Searches
1. On the Careers Home page, click on the My Saved Searches & Job
Alerts tab.

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You can create a maximum of five (5) saved
searches and Job Alerts and they are valid for 365
days.
Login is required in order to save your job search
criteria and to receive job alert notifications
1. Log in to inspira; refer to Getting Started, Section 1.2: Register
and Login to inspira.
2. On the Careers Home page, click on the Job Search tab.
i.

Name your search - enter a name for the search criteria
(up to 20 characters, it is suggested that you use the
position title, level and location, e.g. ProgrMgr/P3/NY).

ii. Use as Job Alert - place a checkmark in this box to indicate
that you want to use these criteria as a Job Alert. If you do
not want to set up a Job Alert for these criteria, leave this
field blank.

You can disable the job alert notification at
anytime by removing the checkmark.
iii. Send Job Alert notification to - if you indicated that you
want to use these search criteria as a Job Alert, enter the
e-mail address where you wish to receive the job alert
notifications. If not, skip this field.
c. Click on the Save Search button to save the search criteria and
job alert. The My Saved Searches page appears with the
following information:

3. Enter your search criteria and click on the Save Search Criteria
button.

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Saved Search - displays the name of your search;

ii. Created On - displays the date the search was created;
iii. Used as Job Alert - indicates that the saved search criteria
will be used as a job alert.
iv. Job Alert E-mail Address - if you selected this search
criteria to be a Job Alert as well, then this column displays
the e-mail address you specified to which job notifications
will be sent;
v. Edit - allows you to edit the job search criteria and turn the
Job Alert notification on or off;
vi. Delete - allows you to delete the saved search criteria as
desired;
vii. Run Search - allows you to perform a search on the saved
search criteria.

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Chapter 6: Completing your Profile

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
The My Profile page is comprised of multiple sections.
When completing your profile, you should save your
entries after completion of each section to ensure no
data will be lost.

6.1 Overview
1. The profile includes important personal information i.e. name,
address, phone number and e-mail. This information will be used
by the United Nations to contact the applicant during the
application process. As such, it is important that the applicant
keep their profile up-to-date. Changes made at any time in the
profile section (e.g. e-mail, home address, additional
nationalities, etc.) will be updated automatically in all
applications.
2. Applicants are required to state their correct name, date of birth
and other personal data and to certify that the information
provided is true, complete and correct to the best of their
knowledge and belief. Accordingly, an applicant must ensure the
correctness of the information provided and cannot claim a right
of rectification of his/her recorded representation of facts that are
within his/her responsibility and competence. There is no legal
obligation on the part of the United Nations to change the official
record in respect of a fact originally submitted by an applicant who
may potentially become a staff member for the purpose of his/her
official record.
3. The Profile consists of several sections, each described below. All
required fields must be populated on the two pages of the profile
before the profile information can be saved. Applicants are
strongly encouraged not to disregard the warning about completing
the required fields since this may result in the loss of all data
entered in the profile pages.
If you are a Staff Member, you must follow the guidelines
outlined in Section 6.1: My Profile for Serving Staff
Members.

Login is required in order to complete the application.
The average time to complete the My Profile section is
between 10 to 15 minutes.

6.2 My Profile for Serving Staff Members
1. A serving staff member who has active data on file with OHRM or a
local human resources (HR) office will have a pre-existing user
profile.
2. A serving staff member is strongly encouraged to first review the
accuracy of his/her postal address as pre-recorded in inspira
before making any updates to My Profile.
3. The home address represents the permanent address in the staff
member's home country. It is therefore important to state the
permanent address, normally in the country of nationality, as the
Home address. The Mailing address may be the same or may be
different.
4. Ensure that all fields in the home address are complete, such as the
ZIP code etc. Otherwise, problems may arise in saving information
in My Profile.
5. An applicant who is a United Nations Secretariat staff member may
update his/her profile information as necessary, except for the
Last Name, First Name and Date of Birth fields which are not
editable and are pre-populated with information from the system.
In the event that a staff member's last name has changed by legal
means, he/she should inform the OHRM or the human resources
office and present the appropriate supporting documentation.

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OHRM or the human resources office will update this information
in the system on the applicant's behalf.

6.2.1 Review Permanent and Mailing Address
To review your home and mailing address to ensure they are current
and accurate, perform the following steps:
1. Login to inspira using your Index Number and password.
2. From the menu, select Self Service> Personal Information>
Permanent and Mailing Address. The Permanent and Mailing
Address page appears.

6.2.2 Review your My Profile page
Staff members will have their profile information pre-populated.
Review the information to ensure it is current and accurate. You can
follow the procedures in the My Profile for Non-Staff Members section.
3. If any of the information is incorrect, click on the Edit button and
make the necessary corrections. Remember to click on the Save
button after making your correction.

6.3 My Profile for Non-Staff Members
1. A non-serving staff who is a first-time user is required to create a
profile. A former staff member who has separated from the
Organization and who wishes to apply to new job openings is also
considered an external applicant. He/she will not have access to
any previously completed profile or application and will therefore
also be required to create a new login account, fill out a new user
profile, and complete a new application.
2. For an applicant who is not a United Nations Secretariat staff
member, the First Name and Last Name fields will not be editable
once he/she has successfully completed the registration process.

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This information will be copied into the applicant's profile and
application. Hence it is important to enter the correct first and last
names, since stating an incorrect name may have legal
consequences at a later stage in the application process.

Check mark indicates the
section has been
completed

Percentage of profile
completed

6.3.1 Create your Profile
To prepare your profile perform the following steps:
1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to inspira.
The Home page appears. Select “Main Menu” > “Careers”. The
Career Home page appears.
2. On the Careers Home page, click on the My Profile tab. Your profile
is comprised of four (4) sections:
• Personal Details
• UN Employment
• Family Details
• Nationality and Residence
In order for your application to be considered complete, all
sections of your profile must be completed. A gauge is provided
above the tabs indicating the percentage of completion and each
tab within your profile will display a check mark when you have
completed the section.

6.3.1.1 Personal Details
Biographical Information
This section displays your login information that you entered during
registration. Non-staff members will be able to edit the information
that appears in this section with the exception of Name. Staff members
cannot edit their Biographical Information, Telephone Numbers or
Permanent Address. The screen below depicts the page for non-staff
members.

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The primary e-mail address is the one that will be used
by the United Nations for all correspondence about
your application and will be used by inspira to
authenticate your identification if you should forget
your User ID or Password.
Staff Members
cannot edit their
Biographical
information,
Telephone Numbers
or Permanent
Address

e. Date of Birth - displays the date of birth you entered upon
registration.
f.

Gender - displays the gender you entered upon registration.

Telephone Numbers
This section allows you to enter the phone numbers where you can be
reached by the United Nations. You can provide more than one phone
number.
When entering the phone number, include the country
code, area code, number and, where, extension
number.
Address Details

1. The following fields can not be changed and they appear as
entered when your account was created; Name Prefix, Given
Name, Middle Name, Family Name, and Other Name.

Permanent address refers to your permanent residence, typically in
your home country or country of nationality, irrespective of where you
may currently reside. In the Permanent Address section, complete the
following information:

2. The following fields can be changed by non-staff members.

1. Country - select the appropriate country.

a. User Name - displays your user name created during the
registration process.
The address fields may change depending on the
country selected.

b. Password - displays the encrypted version of your password
created during the registration process.
c. Primary and Alternate E-mail - displays
d. Primary and Alternate E-mail - displays the E-mail address you
entered upon registration.

2. Address 1 through Address 3 - indicate the street name and/or
number. Include a comma after the street name for easier
readability on the print version.
3. City - indicate the name of the city, town or village. Include a
comma after the city name for easier readability on the print
version.

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4.
5.
6.
7.

State - indicate the name of state, if any.
Postal - indicate the postal code.
County - indicate the name of county, if any.
Current Address - indicate your current address if different from
your permanent address. If your current address is the same as
your permanent address, select the Same as Permanent field.
8. Click on the Save button to save your entries.

Marital Status
1. Marital Status - select your marital status. If you indicated Single
or Widowed, then the following fields are not required. For all
other selections, complete the following fields:
a. Family Name - enter the family name of your spouse or
partner.
b. Given Name - enter the given name of your spouse or partner

6.3.1.2 Family Details

The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.

The applicant must provide information with regard to his/her marital
status and dependency status of his/her spouse or partner. Only one
spouse or partner is recognized by the Organization.

c. Date of Birth - click on the Calendar
icon and select the
month, year and day when your spouse or partner was born.
d. Nationality - select from the list the nationality of your spouse
or partner
e. Gender - select the gender of your spouse or partner.
f.

Employment Status - select the employment status of your
spouse or partner.

g. Proceed to the next question.
2. Do you have dependent children? - indicate whether you have any
dependent children, including stepchildren and legally adopted
children, where applicable. If Yes, complete the following fields.
If No, proceed to the Relatives employed by the UN section.

a. Family Name - enter your child's family name.

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b.

Given Name - enter your child's given name.

•

The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.
c. Date of Birth: - click on the Calendar
icon and select the
month, year and date when your child was born.
d. Nationality - select from the list the nationality of your child.

none of the two participate in the process of reaching or
reviewing an administrative decision affecting the status
or entitlements of the staff member to whom he/she is
married.

5. Are any of your relatives employed by the United Nations
Secretariat, another UN entity or by another public international
organization? -indicate whether you have any relatives employed
by the United Nations. If Yes, complete the following fields. If No,
proceed to the next step.

e. Gender - select the gender of your child.
f.

Relationship - select your relationship to the child specified.

3. Repeat the above steps for each dependent child, click on the Add
Another Child button.
4. Proceed to complete the Relatives employed by the UN section.
Relatives employed by the United Nations

a. Family Name - enter your relative's family name.

Applicants should provide information regarding family members i.e.
siblings, parents, children, and spouse or partner, who are currently
employed with the United Nations Secretariat, another United Nations
entity or another public international organization.

b. Given Name - enter your relative's given name.

The Staff Rules requires that appointments of family members within
the same organization i.e. to family relationships within the United
Nations Secretariat exclusively and not to family relationships with any
of the separately administered agencies, funds and programmes of the
United Nations, including UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF and UNOPS
and not specialized agencies.

e. Organization - select the United Nations organization where
your relative works.

An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father,
mother, son daughter, brother, sister, step-child or step-sibling of a
staff member. The spouse/partner of a staff member may be
appointed provided that:
•

he/she is fully qualified for the post for which he/she is
being considered;

•

he/she is not assigned to serve in a post which is superior
or subordinate in the line of authority to the staff member
to whom he/she is married; and

c. Relationship - select your relationship to the relative
specified.
d. Index Number - enter your relative’s index number, if known.

6. Repeat the above steps for each relative employed by the United
Nations, click on the Add Another Relative button.
7. Proceed to complete the Emergency Contact section.
Emergency Contact
8. Emergency Contact indicates the person to contact in case of an
emergency. In the Emergency Contact section, complete the
following information:

a. Name - enter the name of your contact.

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b. Phone Number - enter the phone number of your contact
including the country code, area code, number and, where
applicable, extension number.
c. Relation - indicate your relation to the contact person.
Click on the Save button to save your entries before proceeding to the
Nationality and Residence section.

6.3.1.3 Nationality and Residence
Nationality indicates your country or, in case of multiple nationalities,
countries of nationality and residence. Where legal steps have been
taken or are about to be taken to change your country of nationality,
these are also indicated here. In the Nationality section, complete the
following information:
An applicant may attach a scanned copy of the first page of his/her
passport. If a passport is not available, an ID card, or a birth certificate
may be used.

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1. Country of nationality - select your country of nationality.
2. Country of Nationality at Birth - select your country of citizenship
at birth.
3. If you have more than one nationality at birth, click on the Add
Another Nationality at birth button, if applicable.
4. Have you taken any legal steps toward changing your present
nationality? - indicate any legal initiatives you have taken to
become a citizen or national of another country, where applicable.
If you answered No, these fields are disabled, proceed to the next
question.

5. Do you have multiple nationalities? - indicate whether you possess
multiple nationalities. If Yes, complete the fields in Nationalities.
If No, these fields will be disabled, proceed to the next question.

a. Nationality - select your country (or countries) of nationality.
b. Explanation - enter a brief description of your nationality.
c. If you are a citizen or national of more than one country, click
on the Add Another Nationality button, if applicable.

Country - select the country where you aspire to receive
citizenship or are already a citizen.

6. Have you taken legal permanent resident status in any country
other than your current nationality? - indicate whether your
permanent address is in a country other that the country of your
current nationality. If Yes, complete the fields in Legal permanent
residence in other countries. If No, these fields will be disabled,
proceed to the Attachment section.

The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.
ii. Effective or expected date - click on the Calendar
icon and select the month, year and date when the
citizenship in another country took effect or is expected to
take effect.

a. Country - select the country (or countries) where you have
lawfully applied for permanent residence or where you are
already a legal permanent resident.

iii. Please describe briefly - enter explanatory notes related
to your change of nationality.

The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.
b.

Date - click on the Calendar
icon and select the actual
or expected month, year and date when the legal permanent
resident status took or is expected to take effect.

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c. If you are a permanent resident of more than one country,
click on the Add Another Legal Permanent Residence button,
if applicable.

8. Other Information
The Organization is committed to promote the
employment and social integration of persons with
disabilities, accommodation must be made for
individuals with disabilities to ensure the full
enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis at the work
place, if and when required. It is in this context that
the Organization inquires about the need for physical
assistance.

To remove an entry, click on the Delete icon, if
necessary.

7. Attachments - you may attach a scanned copy of the first page of
your passport. If a passport is not available, preferably an ID card
or a birth certificate may be used.

Complete the following fields:
a. Do you need any assistance to perform the work related to the
position for which you are applying? - indicate whether you
require any special accommodations due to a disability. If Yes,
complete the fields that follow. If No, proceed to the next
question.
i.

If Yes, physical assistance - select the type of physical
assistance needed to perform your work.

ii. If Yes, please explain briefly - enter a brief description of
the physical assistance required to perform your work.
b. Working for the United Nations might require assignment to
any area of the world in which the United Nations might have
responsibilities. Do you need any assistance to travel? indicate whether you require any special accommodations due
to a disability when travelling for United Nations business. If
Yes, complete the fields that follow. If No, proceed to the next
question.

Click on the Add Attachment link to add attachments to your
application.
a. Click on the Browse button, locate and select the file to
attach. The file path will appear in the Browse field.
b. Click on the Upload button to attach the document. The
attachment will appear in the Attachment section.
Repeat the above steps for each attachment. The total size of all
attachments cannot exceed 1Mb.

If Yes, physical assistance - select the type of physical
assistance needed to travel.

If Yes, please explain briefly - enter a brief description of the physical
assistance required to travel.

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Chapter 7: Completing the
Application Form
7.1 Introduction
1. Once the profile information is saved, an applicant can create an
application.

corresponds to the date when the application was first created and
saved.
6. It is recommended that the applicant update every application
and highlight the salient points in his/her background in relation to
the job opening of interest. The more time and thought allotted in
putting the application together, the more precise and effective
the application will be. It is recommended to perform a spell check
on the text entries made wherever the Spell Check icon is
provided. Once an application is submitted to a particular job
opening, it can no longer be altered for this specific application
process.

2. To create, update or submit an application, the applicant must
login to the system. Since the application will be used to evaluate
an applicant's eligibility and suitability for the job opening, it is
recommended that the applicant prepare the application in
advance even when there is no immediate intention to apply for a
job opening to ensure a precise and effective application. In
addition, once a position of interest has been identified, the
application process has already been started.
3. A draft application is an application that has been created and
saved but not yet submitted to a particular job opening. The draft
application can be updated and used later at the applicant's own
convenience, to apply to different job openings or a new version
of the application can be created.
4. The latest update is the version that is automatically saved by the
system and to which returning users are directed by the system. It
is recommended that the applicant regularly Save the application
as he/she is filling out the form so as not to lose data already
entered. The applicant may use one of the prepared applications
to apply to one or several vacancies simultaneously. Once an
application is submitted to a particular job opening, it cannot be
altered any longer for this specific application process.
5. Fully or partially completed draft application(s) can be accessed
through the inspira Careers Home page. The status of a submitted
application changes accordingly as it goes through the recruitment
and selection process. The Application Date/Time display helps an
applicant keep track of the different versions of applications that
he/she has previously saved (draft) or submitted. The date stamp

A resume or CV is not accepted and is considered
neither a substitute nor a complementary document to
a duly completed application. A resume or CV may
serve as a supporting document but will not be
considered in the evaluation process as the main
source of information. Any supplemental information
or documentation that the Organization may require
will be requested in the course of the application.
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required
fields that need to be completed. When completing the
application, remember to save regularly to avoid
losing information as the system times out every sixty
(60) minutes. Click on Save after completion of each
application section in order to save all entries made,
otherwise all data entered will be lost after the
applicant logs out.

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7.2 Prepare your Application
Login is required in order to complete the application.
inspira allows you to:
•
•

The average time to complete the application with 1
current and 4 previous work experiences is between 90
to 120 minutes.

prepare your application either when you apply to a job
opening, or
draft and save one or more fully or partially completed draft
applications without applying immediately to a job opening.

To complete your application
regardless whether you are
applying to a position, click on
the Create Draft Application

Since the application will be used to evaluate your
eligibility and suitability for the job opening, it is
recommended that you prepare your application in
advance even when there is no immediate intention to
apply for a job opening to ensure a precise and
effective application. You will have the opportunity to
adjust your application to the requirements of the job
opening when you apply to the position.
To prepare your application perform the following steps:
1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to inspira.
In order to access the Careers Home page, complete the following
steps:
For External applicants
•
•

Main Menu
Careers

For Staff Members
•
•
•
•

Main Menu
Self-Service
Recruiting Activities
Careers

All applications, whether
submitted to a position or not
will appear in your ‘My
Applications’ section

2. Click on the Create Draft Application button in the My Career
Tools section. The Apply Now page appears.

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from an existing application and modify it, regardless whether
it has been already submitted to a position. By default the last
created application appears in the Source Application
Information section.

You must complete your profile before you can complete
your application. Otherwise, a message appears
indicating that your profile is incomplete and must be
completed before you can apply to a position.

Click on the Lookup
icon and select the application
you wish to use and modify.

5. Click on the Continue button. The Complete Application page
appears.
Read the information
and select Confirm

Determine whether you want to import in
from at ion from an existing application, if
applicable or prepare a new application

6. The Complete Application page is comprised of seven (7) sections:

The last application created appears
here, but you can search and select any
other ex is it i ng application, if
applicable.

3. On the Apply Now page, select Confirm
4. In the Select how to start your application section, select one of
the following methods:

•

Screening Questions

•

Preferences

•

Education and Work Experience

•

Skills

•

References

•

Cover Letter and Additional Information

•

Preview and Submit
It is not necessary to complete the entire application
at once. However, before exiting the application you
must click on the Save button to save your entries. If
you do not, when you exit the application all your
entries will be lost.

a. Build New Application - allows you to create an application
from scratch. It opens a blank application form.
b. Choose Existing Application - allows you to import information
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7.2.1 Screening Questions

4. Are you interested in working on a part-time basis? - indicate
whether you would be interested in working part-time for the
United Nations by selecting the appropriate answer.

This section is blank, but will be populated with questions that are
relevant to the position when you apply to a position.

7.2.2 Preferences
Indicate your preferred field of work and preferred work location(s) in
this section. You can also sign up for the Job Alert which will send you
e-mail notifications on newly posted job openings based on the criteria
specified in your preferences. Complete the following information in
this section.
All fields marked with an asterisk are required fields.
Make sure you click on Save after completion of each
section.
1. How did you come to apply for employment with the UN? - select
from the list which media you used to find the position in the
Organization. If the media is not in the list, then select Other.
Media can be a job board, job fair, newspaper, recommendation
from a colleague, etc.
a. If Other - if Other was selected in the previous field, then
enter a brief explanation about how you heard about the
position in the Organization. Up to 256 characters may be
entered.
2. Would you accept short-term assignments of less than 12 months?
- indicate whether you would be interested in a short-term
assignment by selecting the appropriate answer.
3. Are you interested in working as a consultant? - indicate whether
you would be interested in working as a consultant in the United
Nations by selecting the appropriate answer. Consultants are not
employees of the United Nations.

The Search Results section of the look-up table
displays the first 300 results that match the entered
criteria in one or several pages. To view all 300
results, click on View All link. To narrow your search in
order to find the desired value within the first 300
results perform a more targeted search to reduce the
number of results displayed. To sort your results
alphabetically or numerically in ascending or
descending order, click on the underlined title of the
respective column in the top blue bar.

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5. Preferred Main Offices - if you are interested in working in one of
the United Nations main offices, select the office from the list.
6. Other Preferred Offices - if you are interested in working in one of
the United Nations regional or sub-regional offices, click on the
Look up
icon and select the desired offices).
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations
Environment Programme, have opened regional and country
offices all over the world to enable them to respond more rapidly
to emerging issues that require their expertise and assistance. In
addition, the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development is located in Geneva with an office in New York while
the Office of Internal Oversight Services, based in New York, offers
services wherever its services are required around the globe.
a. Click on the Add Other Preferred Office button to specify
more than one regional or sub-regional office. You can specify
up to five (5) offices. To remove the office, click on the Delete
icon, if necessary.
7. Field Missions - if you are interested in working in one of the United
Nations field missions, select the desired Field Mission(s).
a. Click on the Add Field Mission button to specify more than one
field mission. You can specify up to five (5) field missions. To
remove the field mission, click on the Delete icon, if
necessary.
A field mission supports peacekeeping operations or
special political missions and may be designated as a
family-mission or a non-family mission.

9. Click on Save to save all entries made; otherwise all data entered
will be lost after you log out. Upon saving, a message may appear
stating that some mandatory fields are empty or missing, if any,
and must be completed. The required fields that need to be
completed appear in red. Make sure you have completed all the
mandatory fields correctly and then click Save.
10. After you have completed all the required fields in the Preference
section, you are now ready to complete the Education and Work
Experience section.

7.2.3 Education and Work Experience
Provide details on your work history, educational institutions
attended, and diplomas/degrees or equivalent academic qualifications
obtained.
It is important to complete all information about your education and
work experience accurately. This information will be used for systemautomated pre-screening and it serves as the basis for evaluating your
eligibility and suitability for a job opening.
Appointment at the United Nations is subject to satisfactory and
complete verification of academic qualifications and employment
verification, reference checks on the information stated in these
sections are undertaken for candidates under closer consideration. A
candidate for whom reference checks are conducted is notified
accordingly.
1. Click on the Education and Work Experience button, the
Education and Work Experience page appears.

8. Job Family - select from the list the job family(s) of interest. Job
family refers to a group of occupations based upon work
performed, skills, education, training and credentials.
a. Click on the Add Job Family button to specify more than one
job family. You can specify up to five (5) job families. To
remove the job family, click on the Delete icon, if necessary.
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7.2.3.1 UN Employment
This section allows you to indicate whether you are currently employed
by the United Nations. In the Employment with the UN section,
complete the following information:

1. United Nations Employment Status - select one of the following
options:
•
•

I have never worked for a United Nations Common System
entity.
I’m currently working for a United Nations Common System
entity. If selected, complete the additional fields.
•

Which UN entity are your working for? - select the UN
entity where you work.

•

UN Index number - enter your index number.

•

Type of appointment or relationship with the organization
- select the type of appointment you hold

•

When did you first commence employment with the
United Nations? - click on the Calendar
icon and
select the date you started your appointment.

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•

•

Expiration date of current contract? - click on the
Calendar
icon and select the date when your
contract is expected to end. It cannot be a date prior to
the current date.

I have previously worked for a United Nations Common System
entity? If selected, complete the additional fields:
•

For which UN entity are you working for? - select from the
list the UN entity where you work(ed).

•

Type of appointment or relationship with the organization
- select the type of appointment you held from the list. If
your appointment is not on the list, select Other.

•

From - click on the Calendar
icon and select the
month, year and date when you first started employment
with the United Nations.

•

To - click on the Calendar
icon and select the month,
year and date when you completed your contract with the
United Nations.

Reason for separation - indicate the reason for your separation
from the United Nations.

7.2.3.2 Work Experience
1. Click on the Add Work Experience button. The Add Work
Experience page appears

If you held more than one position with the same
employer, enter each position separately.

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v. To - this field is enabled if this is not your current position.
If enabled, click on the Calendar icon and select the date
you left this particular job.

2. Complete the following sections about your current and past
employers.
Starting with your present employer, list every position held in
reverse chronological order. Duly complete all fields and
indicate every employment held from age 18 and higher including service in the armed forces and internships. Note any
period during which you were not gainfully employed. In cases
where you worked with one employer but held several
positions, you must indicate every job title held separately.
This is important in determining your eligibility and suitability.

vi. Indicate Notice Period - this field is enabled only if this is
your current employer. Enter the number of weeks
required to submit a notice of separation/resignation from
this position.
vii. Is this a civil servant position in your government? indicate whether the position you held was a civil servant
position with your government of nationality.

All fields marked with an asterisk are required
fields. Reference to the position in the following
text refers to the position held and not the position
to which you are applying.

viii.Is this a position in the UN Secretariat? - indicate whether
this position was with the UN Secretariat. If “Yes”,
proceed to “Type of contract, appointment or relationship
to the Organization”. Please indicate the category and
level of the position. If “No”, proceed to the next
question.

a. Enter Employment Details:

ix. Is this a position in another UN entity? if you answered
“No” in the preceding step (viii), then indicate whether
this position was with another UN entity. If “Yes”, proceed
to “Type of contract, appointment or relationship to the
Organization” - please indicate the category and level of
the position. If “No”, proceed to “Job Title”.
3. Proceed to the Employer Details section and complete the
following information.
:
i.

Job Title - enter your functional title at this employer.

ii. Present Job - by default, a check mark appears in the box;
if this is not your current employer, remove the check
mark.
iii. From - click on Calendar
icon and select the date you
started working with this employer.
iv. To - this field is enabled if this is not your current position.
If enabled, click on Calendar icon and select the date you
started working with this employer.

a. Name of Employer - enter the name of your employer. If the
name is longer than the field, use the abbreviated name.

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Provide the full name of the employer in one of the address
fields (Address 2 or Address 3) under the Employer Address
section.
b. Employer’s Phone/Fax - enter the telephone and fax number
of the employer, including country code, area code, number
and, if applicable, extension number.
c. Website of Employer - enter the employer’s website URL
address.
d. Duty Station - this field appears only if the position is/was with
the United Nations Secretariat or a United Nations entity. Click
on the Lookup
icon and select the duty station (location)
where you served (worked) or are currently serving (working).
e. Name of Supervisor - enter the name of your supervisor at this
employer.
f.

Supervisor's e-mail address - enter the active e-mail address of
your supervisor or the appropriate HR contact available to
confirm your employment at the specified employer.

g. Do you have any objections to contact your current employer
for reference? - this field is enabled only if this is your current
employer. Indicate whether the United Nations can contact
your current employer for a reference. If you do not want the
United Nations to contact your current employer, select Yes.

a. In the Non-UN Employer Address section, complete the
following information. If the name of employer is longer than
the Name of Employer field will accept, provide the full name
of the employer in one of the address fields (Address 2 or
Address 3).
Employer address refers to the employer's headquarter
location, not where the applicant has worked which may be
different. Indicating the employer's address is necessary as for
candidates under closer consideration, the employment
history is verified.
i.

If yes, please explain - this field is enabled only if you
selected Yes in the previous field. Explain briefly why you
object to contacting your current employer.
4.

Country - select the appropriate answer from the dropdown. This is your employer's headquarter location, not
where you worked which may be different. The location
where you worked is indicated in a separate field.

The address fields may change depending on the
country selected.

If this is a non-United Nations position, the Non-UN Employer
Address section will be displayed, proceed to complete this
section.
ii.

Address 1 through Address 3 - indicate the street name
and/or number. Include a comma after the street name for
easier readability on the print version.
You can use the non-required Address fields (Address 2
or Address 3) to provide the full name of your
employer including the Department/Organizational
Unit, as applicable.

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iii. City - indicate the name of the city, town or village.
Include a comma after the city name for easier readability
on the print version.

If you do not see the an exact match, please select the
closest relevant option.

iv. State - indicate the name of state, if any.
v. Postal - indicate the postal code.

a. Type of Business - indicate the business sector this employer
belongs to, such as, Consulting, Government, International
Organization, Non-Government Organization (NGO), Private
Sector, Self-Employed and Services. If the applicable business
sector is not in the list select 'Other'.

vi. County - indicate the name of country, if any.
2. Proceed to the Employment Details section and complete the
following information.

•

If Other, please explain - if Other was selected, explain
the nature of business in this field.

b. Job Family- select from the list the job family that best
describes the field of work or similarity of functions. A job
family is a group of occupations based upon work performed,
skills, education, training and credentials.
c. Field of Work - select from the list of work that best describes
your experience.
d. Area of Specialty - click on the Lookup icon and select from the
list. Area of specialty refers to the specific skills or knowledge
performed on the job. Only areas of specialty associated with
the selected Field of Work will appear in the list.
e. Employment type - select the type of employment held at this
employer, e.g. full time, part time, intern or other.
Please note that any experience listed as “other” will not be
counted as qualifying experience.
Please provide information - describe the position you hold/
held if not a full time position, i.e: “Part time employee
because I was attending school for my degree.”.
f.

Currency - click on the Look-up icon and select the currency
code in which you were/are paid. You can also type in the
currency code, if known.

g. Number of Employees Supervised - if you held a supervisory
role, enter the number of employees you directly supervised.

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h. Kind of Employees directly Supervised - select the type of
employees you directly supervised.
i.

k. Reason for leaving - briefly explain why you separated from
this position/employer.
l.

Description of duties - describe the tasks performed on the job
on a daily basis.
Duties describe the specific responsibilities of the job. They
accurately reflect what the applicant is doing or has done in
each job he/she has held. The character limit for this field is
2,500 characters.
It is recommended to review each application and update it as
necessary, or target it to reflect appropriately the suitability
for the job opening to which an applicant is applying. Updates
will not affect the content of applications previously
submitted for other vacancies.

Once you have entered all the required information, click on
the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving, a
message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are
empty or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required
fields that need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you
have completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then
click on the Save button. The Education and Work Experience
page appears.
If you choose to Cancel, your data will not be saved. Or
if you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

Summarize your achievements - describe what you have
accomplished and achieved during the stated period of
employment, as opposed to the tasks performed on a daily
basis.

m. On the Education and Work Experience page, click on the
Save button to save all entries.

The applicant should describe what he/she has accomplished
and achieved during the stated period of employment as
opposed to the tasks performed. The character limit for this
field is 3,700 characters.

Repeat the above steps for each employer and position held by clicking
on the Add Work Experience button. Otherwise, proceed to complete
the Education Details section.

Achievements describe in specific terms “how well” an
individual did in his/her job. Were the expectations exceeded?
Did an applicant solve a particular problem or introduce an
innovative solution? If so, how was this done? When writing
achievements, it may help to think of job responsibilities from
a cumulative perspective, i.e. the applicant's adherence to
standards with respect to rules, regulations, procedures,
meeting deadlines, etc. In addition, the following questions
may help: Has the applicant been involved in any projects?
What feedback and recognition has he/she received from his/
her supervisor or colleagues? An additional source of
information could be performance appraisals (e-PAS(es) for
United Nations staff) which reflect the results that an
applicant has achieved.

Remember, if you held more than one position with the
same employer, enter each position separately.

If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

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7.2.3.3 Education Details
Starting with the highest education level obtained, list the schools and
universities you have attended from age 14 and higher in reverse
chronological order, and duly complete all fields. UN Trainings, if any,
are indicated under Skills described in the next section.
When evaluating academic credentials of staff members and
applicants, the United Nations is guided by the “World Higher
Education Database (WHED)” compiled by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) and the
International Association of Universities (IAU). This database provides
a comprehensive list of higher education institutions sanctioned or
accredited by competent national authorities in participating countries
(referred to as the “IAU/UNESCO List”).
Taking fully into account that the Member States have different
education systems, the United Nations references the credential level
determined by competent national authorities conferred by an
institution in the participating countries provided in the IAU/UNESCO
List. This credential level is therefore referenced and used to
determine the equivalence of the applicant’s degree.

Step 2 - Navigating “Add Education Details Page”
For the Add Education Details page, please ensure that the following
required fields, indicated with an asterisk (*), are completed:
•
•
•

Scenario 1 - Institutions listed in IAU/UNESCO

•
•

Step 1 - Adding Education Details
Click on the Education & Work experience tab. Click on the “Add
Education” button. The Add Education Details page will be opened.
•

•
•
•

Click on the Add Education Details button. The Add Education
Details page appears.

Click on the dropdown “Type of Institution” and select
“University/Tertiary”.
Select country where attended.
For the question “Attended in the same country?” select
“Yes”. If you did not study in the same country, please select
“No” and proceed to complete “Country where attended”.
Type in the “City” where attended.
Click on the “Name of Institution” look-up to search and select
your institution from the IAU/UNESCO list. If you cannot find
your institution, please refer to “Scenario 2”.
Select “Degree/Diploma”.
Select “Main Course of Study”.
Select “Field of Study”.

Complete the remaining required fields, marked with an asterisk (*).
Make certain to click “Save” after the completion of each section.

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Scenario 2 - Institutions not listed in IAU/UNESCO
If you do not find the name of your institution when clicking on “Name
of Institution”, please complete the following steps:
•

•

Type “Other Institution” in the “Name of Institution” field and
hit Enter. The “Please enter name of institution” field will
appear below.
Manually complete the fields: “Please enter name of
institution” and “City where attended”. The field “Institution
Web Site” is optional.
Proceed with the remaining steps as with Scenario 1.

When selecting “Military Academy”, “Other” or
“Seminary” in the “Type of institution” field, the
procedure will be identical.

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Scenario 3 - Application is in Draft and you wish to submit this
application

Information on additional fields
• Degree Obtained - specify whether or not you obtained the
degree. If No, select the reason why you did not or have not
yet obtained the degree.

When clicking the “Submit” button for your application, a message
indicating incomplete information will appear.

If No, please briefly explain - if you selected Other, please
explain, and enter why you did not obtain the degree from
the institution (as applicable).
The default indicator is “No”. Be certain to indicate
“Yes” if the degree has been obtained

Go to the “Education & Work Experience” tab. A message with the
details of the education entries to be reviewed will be displayed.

The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and day.
•
•

On the same page, in the “Education Details” section, click on the
education entry you wish to review and re-enter your education details
using the dropdowns and lookups for the highlighted fields, e.g.
“Country”, “Name of Institution” “Degree/Diploma”.>

Attended (From) - click on the Calendar
icon and select
the date when you started attending the education institution.
Attended (To) - click on the Calendar
icon and select the
date when you finished attending the education institution, if
applicable. If you are still pursuing your degree, you can leave
this field blank.

n. Additional Comments - enter any comments that support or
clarify course and field of studies indicated. If Other was
selected in the previous two fields or the Teaching Method
field, then provide a brief explanation. Up to 256 characters
can be entered in this field
o. Teaching Method - select the method used to present this
course. If Other is selected, provide a brief explanation in the
Additional Comments field.
p. Title in English or French - enter the title, in English or French,
of the degree earned.
q. Enrollment Status - select whether you were attending the
educational institution on a full-time or part-time basis.

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3. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving, a
message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are empty
or missing and must be completed. The required fields that need
to be completed appear in red. Make sure you have completed all
the mandatory fields correctly and then click on the Save button.
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.
4. On the Education and Work Experience page, click on the Save
button to save all entries.
5. Repeat the above steps for each degree obtained by clicking on the
Add Education Details button. When completed, proceed to
complete the Skills section.

2. Click on the Add United Nations Training and Learning button and
complete the following fields.

7.2.4 Skills
Provide details on skills you possess that are relevant to the position
you are seeking.
1. Click on the Skills tab, the Skills page appears. The Skills section
consists of the following sub-sections:
•
•
•
•

This section applies only to current and former United Nations staff
members. Indicate UN Training courses attended, if any, including
any UN Training certificates. Where this is not the case, this section
is left blank.

UN Training and Learning
Licenses and Certificates
Languages
Publications

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d. Repeat the above steps for each UN Training course you
completed. Otherwise, proceed to the Licenses and
Certificates section, if applicable.
3. Click on the Add Licenses and Certificates button and complete
the following fields.
Indicate any licenses or certificates obtained from recognized
authorities, other than UN training certificates, but including the
successful passing on any of the United Nations Examinations.

a. UN Training - enter the name of the UN training course
attended. The character limit for this field is 100 characters
(e.g. inspira).
b. Date - click on the Calendar
icon and select the date
when you completed the training.
The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.
c. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving,
a message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are
empty or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required
fields that need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you
have completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then
click on the Save button.
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

a. Certificate - select the license or certificate received.
b. Field of Study or brief description - briefly describe the
training received to obtain the license or certificate.
c. Date Obtained - click on the Calendar
icon and select the
date when you obtained or plan to obtain the license or
certification.
The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.
d. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving,
a message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are
empty or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required
fields that need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you
have completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then
click on the Save button.

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The language proficiency levels are defined as follows:
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

•

Fluent - The capacity to achieve most communicative goals
and express oneself on a familiar range of topics.

•

Confident - The ability to communicate in a limited way in
familiar situations and to deal in a general way with nonroutine information.

ii. Repeat the above steps for each license and certificate
obtained by clicking on the Add Licenses and Certificates
button. Otherwise, proceed to the Languages section.

•

Basic - The ability to deal with simple, straightforward
information and begin to express oneself in limited
contexts.

4. Click on the Add Languages button and complete the following
fields.

a. Language - select the language you possess knowledge of,
including your mother tongue.

State your mother tongue (primary language) and indicate your
knowledge of the United Nations two (2) working languages
(English and French), along with other languages that you may
possess. In addition, if you are a UN staff member, indicate if you
successfully passed the official United Nations Language
Proficiency Examination, where applicable.
The Organization uses the descriptive levels Basic, Confident and
Proficient to characterize a person's ability to read/speak/
understand/write a specified language. Each higher level implies
control over the previous levels' functions and accuracy.

Remember to record your proficiency in the two (2) UN
working languages, English and French and any other
language required for the position.
b. Reading Proficiency - select your level of proficiency to read
the selected language.
c. Speaking Proficiency - select your level of proficiency to speak
the selected language.
d. Understanding Proficiency - select your level of proficiency to
understand the selected language.
e. Writing Proficiency - select your level of proficiency to write
the selected language.
f.

How Acquired? - indicate the manner in which the language
skill was acquired.

g. Mother/Principal Tongue - indicate if the language specified is
your mother/principal tongue.
h. Successfully Passed UN Language Proficiency Exam? - this field
applies to UN staff, indicate if you passed the official UN
Language Proficiency Examination in any of the six official
United Nations languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian, Spanish), where applicable.
i.

Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving,

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a message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are
empty or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required
fields that need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you
have completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then
click on the Save button.
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.
j.

Repeat the above steps for each language you possess
knowledge of, including the two (2) UN working languages,
English and French and any other language required for the
position. Click on the Add Languages button. Otherwise,
proceed to the Publications section, if applicable.

a. Title of Publication - enter the title of the publication which
you authored or co-authored.

5. Click on the Add Publication button and complete the following
fields.
The applicant can list any recognized publications. While this is not
necessary, as the Organization will request additional information
as and when required, the applicant may attach a copy of the
publication through the Add Attachment link under the Cover
Letter and Additional Information section, if the published
document is not larger than the maximum combined attached file
sizes of 1 Mb. The pdf version of a document is preferred.

b. Journal/Publisher - enter the name of journal or publisher that
published your work.
c. Date Published - click on the Calendar icon and specify the
date when the work was published.
The Calendar defaults to the present date. Make sure
to update the default values by selecting the
appropriate month, year and date.
d. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving,
a message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are
empty or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required
fields that need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you
have completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then
click on the Save button.

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c. Position - enter the position/title held by your reference.
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

d. Organization - enter the name of the organization with which
the reference is associated.
e. Telephone - enter the reference's current telephone number
including the country code, area code, and extension, if any.
f.

E-mail - enter the reference's current e-mail address.

e. Repeat the above steps for each publication you have written
by clicking on the Add Publication button. Otherwise, proceed
to the References section.

7.2.5 References
You are required to list three (3) persons as contact references who can
attest to your work history and qualifications. You can include present
or past supervisors, colleagues, mentors and/or thesis advisors, but do
not list any family members.
1. Click on the References tab, the References page appears.

2. Click on the Add References button and complete the following
fields.
a. Reference Type - indicate the nature of acquaintance between
you and your reference.
b. Reference Name - enter the name of your reference.

Country - select the reference's country of residence.

The address fields may change depending on the
country selected.
h. Address 1 through Address 3 - enter the address where the
reference can be reached by postal mail. Depending on where
the reference wants to be reached, this may be the reference's

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home address or employment address. Include a comma after
the street name for easier readability on the print version.
i.

City - indicate the name of the city, town or village. Include a
comma after the city name for easier readability on the print
version.

State - indicate the name of state, where applicable.

k. Postal - indicate the postal zip code.
l.

County - indicate the name of country, where applicable.

m. How do you know this person? - indicate how you came to know
your reference. If none of the selections apply, choose Other.
•

If Other, specify - if you selected Other in the previous
field, and then briefly describe the nature of your
relationship with your reference.

7.2.6 Cover Letter and Additional Information
This section should be completed once you have identified a position.
It allows you to create a cover letter that is specific to the position you
are applying for, relating your skills and experience to those noted in
the job opening. In addition, you can attach additional information
that is required by the job opening.
Resumes or CVs are not accepted. Any other supplemental information
or documentation that the Organization may require will be requested
in the course of the application.
1. Click on the Cover Letter and Additional Information tab. The
Cover Letter and Additional Information page appears.

n. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving,
a message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are
empty or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required
fields that need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you
have completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then
click on the Save button.
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

o. Repeat the above steps for each reference you need to add by
clicking on the Add Reference button. Remember, you must
provide three (3) references. Otherwise, proceed to the Cover
Letter and Additional Information section.

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Cover Letter
When attaching files, the total size of all attachments
can not exceed 1 MB. Therefore, if necessary compress
the file when possible, i.e. convert to a PDF format or
use WinZip.

A cover letter should be brief, three to four paragraphs, and should be
as targeted as possible to the position for which you are applying.
Contents for the cover letter should focus on the most relevant parts
of your background that relate to the job opening.
Remember, a resume is not accepted and is considered
neither a substitute nor a complementary document to
a duly completed application. Any supplemental
information or documentation that the Organization
may require will be requested in the course of the
application.
2. In the Cover Letter section, describe how your experience,
qualifications and competencies match the position for which you
are applying.
3. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving, a
message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are empty
or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required fields that
need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you have
completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then click on the
Save button.
If you choose Cancel your data will not be saved. Or, if
you decide to complete the remainder of your
application at a later date, be sure to save all your
entries before you sign out of inspira, otherwise your
entries will be lost.

1. Click on the Attachment button to add attachments to your
application.

2. Click on the Browse button, locate and select the file to attach.
The file path will appear in the Browse field.
3. Click on the Upload button to attach the document. The
attachment will appear in the Attachment section.
4. Click on the Save button to save all entries made. Upon saving, a
message may appear stating that some mandatory fields are empty
or missing, if any, and must be completed. The required fields that
need to be completed appear in red. Make sure you have
completed all the mandatory fields correctly and then click on the
Save button.

Attachments
The United Nations may require that you attach relevant files to your
application. These files may be your last two (2) ePASes if you are a
United Nations staff member, your passport, academic credentials or
any other documents required by the job opening.

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Repeat the above steps for each attachment by clicking on the
Attachment button. Otherwise, proceed to the next step

Similarly, information on having successfully passed the competitive
examinations for language positions should also be stated here.

Have you ever been indicted, fined or imprisoned for the violation of
any law (excluding minor traffic violations)?

•

Are you a successful candidate of the National Competitive
Recruitment Examination? - indicate whether you have passed
a National Competitive Recruitment Examination (now known
as the Young Professionals Programme). If Yes, complete the
fields that follow. If No, proceed to the next step.

•
•

Year - select the year you took the YPP (previously the NCRE).
Job Family - select the job family in which you passed the YPP
(previously the NCRE).

If No, the next three fields will be disabled. If Yes, proceed to answer
the remaining fields.

a. If Yes, Reason - select the reason for the violation. If you
selected Other, then provide a brief explanation.
b. Resolution - select how the violation was resolved. If you
selected Other, then provide a brief explanation.
c. Please explain briefly - enter other pertinent information that
may shed light on the violation committed.
*Are you a successful candidate of the National Competitive
Recruitment Examination?
This section collects information on the Young Professionals
Programme (previously the National Competitive Recruitment
Examination (NCRE)), where applicable. The National Competitive
Recruitment Examination is an objective and competitive process that
targets highly qualified junior professional staff from member states
inadequately represented in the Secretariat. The YPP (previously the
NCRE) is held on a yearly basis.

Repeat the above steps if you had passed more than one YPP
(previously the NCRE).
Click on the Save button to save your entries before proceeding to the
Family Details section.

7.2.6.1 Additional Information
You can confirm the following information for the specific application:

Such exams are open to nationals of Member States participating in the
yearly national competitive recruitment examination (the list of
participating countries is published every year) who hold at least a
first-level university degree and are not more than 32 years old. More
information is available at the United Nations Careers Portal ATP://
careers.un.org/ under the link “National competitive recruitment
examination”.

•
•
•

Nationality at Birth
Multiple Nationalities
Relatives employed by the United Nations

The information entered in this section will only be
updated for the current application. In order to update
the information in your profile, the information must
be entered in the “My Profile” tab.

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Chapter 8: Applying for a Job
Opening

the right job) and click on Apply Now. The draft application is now
linked to the corresponding job opening.

8.1 Overview
1. An applicant has the ability to apply to as many positions for which
he/she feels qualified. Once positions of interest are identified,
those job openings can be displayed for review and then selected
and linked to your application in inspira. In order to apply for a job,
the application must be linked to the particular job opening during
the posting dates. Submission of the completed profile and
application form along with the cover letter is required.
2. There are two ways to apply for a job opening, depending on the
application form version that the applicant wants to use for the job
opening.
3. To use the latest version of the application saved, go to the job
opening and click on Apply Now. The job opening will automatically
be linked to the latest application that the applicant had saved. The
applicant will have to click on the job opening in inspira i.e. in the
list of job openings on the Careers Home page inside inspira, not
on the Careers Portal.
4. To use a particular application from several draft applications that
the applicant has previously created and saved, the applicant must
link this application to the job opening he/she wishes to apply to.
Access the draft application through the inspira Careers Home
page > My Career Tools > Applications. The My Applications page
appears proceed to select All Applications in the drop-down field
and click on the 'Refresh' button. Select the application to use by
clicking on the particular draft application name. Note that all draft
applications not linked to a particular job opening are named 'No
Job', those linked to a job opening display the posting title of the
relevant job opening. Once the draft application is open, click on
the Add Job to Application link located at the top of the page.
Perform a Job Search to bring up the job that the applicant wishes
to apply to. Select the job (read the description to make sure it is

5. Once a draft application is linked to the job opening, the applicant
should make sure that all sections of the profile and application are
complete, including the Cover Letter and Additional Information.
Note that the job opening may have questions that appear in the
Skills section which must be answered in order to successfully
submit an application (a warning message appears if the applicant
has not answered the Skills questions before submitting).
6. When submitting an application for a particular job opening, any
information previously entered must be reviewed and updated as
necessary. It is recommended to review and update each section
highlighting the facts that best match the requirements of the
position.
7. The applicant is encouraged to submit a duly completed application
at the earliest time possible after a job opening has been posted
and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Job
openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight
Eastern Standard Time (UTC -5 hours) on the deadline date or when
a rostered applicant has been selected.

8.2 Screening Questions
1. Once a job opening has been selected and linked to the application,
the applicant may be prompted with a list of questions and, where
these appear, the applicant must answer these questions related to
the job opening. A series of questions (between 10 and 15) is
associated with most job openings. These are yes/no or true/false
questions, are objective, relate to the specific job opening, and will
assist in filtering applicants. A threshold of 80% is required in order
to be eligible for consideration.
2. An applicant who is not a serving staff member and who does not
meet the requirement is automatically screened out and not
eligible.

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8.3 Submit the Application

8.4 Track the Application

1. Once the profile and application is complete, the cover letter
included and all pre-screening questions are answered, the
application can be submitted.

1. The list of job applications that the applicant has saved or
submitted is recorded under Careers Home > My Career Tools >
Applications page. The Applications page provides an overview of
the application(s) that the applicant has saved (draft) or submitted
along with the corresponding status remark. The status of a
submitted application changes accordingly as it goes through the
recruitment and selection process i.e. “Applied,” “Under
Consideration,” “Rostered,” etc. The applicant can also View/Print
his/her application or PHP (Personal History Profile). The
Application Date/Time display helps applicants keep track of the
different versions of applications they may have previously created.

2. The applicant will be required to agree to the terms and
agreements stipulated by the United Nations, in order to
successfully submit the application.
3. Every time an applicant submits an application, the Applications
page appears. This page displays a message that the application has
been successfully submitted. Each successful application is also
acknowledged by e-mail. Depending on the applicant's suitability
and eligibility for the position, the types and intervals of further
communications between the Organization and the applicant may
vary.
.
Once an application is submitted, it cannot be altered any
longer for that particular position, except for the
information contained in the profile, i.e. a new e-mail
address or contact number. However, when applying for
a new job opening, updates to all fields in the application
may be and are recommended to be made

2. For applications for which the applicant has been rostered, the “My
Applications” page provides for a “PUT ON HOLD” button, This
allows a rostered applicant to temporarily place himself/herself on
hold for a specific period of time. The status 'Hold' refers to a
temporary removal from the roster.
3. For applications for which the applicant has been rostered, the My
Applications page provides for a WITHDRAW button, if the status is
Rostered, that allows an applicant to permanently withdraw
himself/herself from the roster. The status 'Withdrawn' refers to a
permanent removal from the roster, either upon the candidate's
request or for administrative reasons (e.g. failed reference checks
following a selection for a higher-level position, disciplinary
measures, etc.).

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8.5 Applying to a Job
Once you have identified a job opening that you are interested in, you
have to link your application to the job opening.
•

Apply to a Specific Job Opening without a Draft Application

•

Apply using an Existing Application

8.5.1 Apply to a Job Opening(s) without a Draft
Application
If you have not created a draft application, you can still apply to a job
opening and create the application at the same time.
1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to
inspira. The Careers Home page appears.

6. Review the information and select Confirm.

2. On the Careers Home page, search for job opening(s), refer to
Chapter 5: Search for Job Openings and Create a Job Alert using
inspira.

7. Select Build New Application and click on the Continue button.
The Complete Application > Screening Questions page appears.

You have to click on the job opening in inspira i.e. in
the list of job openings on the Careers Home page, not
on the Careers Portal.
3. Locate the job opening you are interested it and click on the Job
Title. The Job Opening page appears.
4. Review the job opening description, refer to Chapter 3:
Understanding the Job Opening.
5. Click on the Apply Now button, the Apply Now page appears.

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8. Proceed to answer all the questions that appear, then click on the
Preferences tab.
9. Proceed to complete the application, refer to Chapter 7:
Completing the Application Form.
10. Once your application is completed, click on the Preview and
Submit tab. Review your application to ensure it is accurate.
button.

12. Review the terms and select I agree to these terms.
13. Click on the Certify and Submit Application button. Your
application will be submitted and will appear in your My
Applications section with the status Applied.
The application that you have just created will now be
the latest version and will be available for
modifications whenever you apply to a job opening. A
modified application becomes your most current
application.

11. Click on the Submit button. The Submit Online Application page
appears.

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8.5.2 To Apply Using the Latest Saved
Application
If you created a draft application prior to searching for a job opening,
you can use that application when applying for in which you are
interested.
1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to inspira.
The Careers Home page appears.
2. On the Careers Home page, search for job opening(s), refer to
Chapter 5: Search for Job Openings and Create a Job Alert using
inspira.
You have to click on the job opening in inspira i.e. in
the list of job openings on the Careers Home page, not
on the Careers Portal.
3. Locate the job opening you are interested in and click on the job
title. The Job Opening page appears.

6. Review the information and select Confirm.
7. Select Choose Existing Application, the Source Application
Information field appears.

4. Review the job opening description, refer to Chapter 3:
Understanding the Job Opening.
A draft application that has been submitted is no
longer available as a draft for submission to another
job opening. However, the latest version of your
application is still available.

8. By default, the last created application appears, if you want to
select another application, click on the Look-up
icon and
locate the application you wish to use.

5. Click on the Apply Now button, the Apply Now page appears.

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11. Proceed to answer all the questions that appear, then click on the
Preferences tab.
12. Proceed to modify the selected application, refer to Chapter 7:
Completing the Application Form.
13. Once your application is completed, click on the Preview and
Submit tab. Review your application to ensure it is accurate.
button.

9. Select the application, you can even select applications that you
have already submitted to other job openings.
10. Click on the Continue button. The Complete Application >
Screening Questions page appears.

14. Click on the Submit button. The Submit Online Application page
appears.

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8.6 Managing your Applications
8.6.1 Managing Multiple Draft Applications
inspira allows you to prepare and save one or more fully or partially
completed draft applications without applying immediately to a job
opening(s). This allows you to prepare several draft applications
tailored to different types of job openings and to ensure that you have
precise and effective applications.
1. Draft applications can be identified by the status “Draft” in the My
Applications list on the My Career Tools page.
15. Review the terms and select I agree to these terms.

•

If a draft application is already linked to a job opening (you
created it by choosing “Apply Now” while viewing a particular
job opening), it will show the job title in the Application
column. You can only create one draft application per job
opening.

•

If the draft application is not yet linked to a job opening (you
created it by choosing “Create Draft Application” on the My
Career Tools page), it will show “No Job” in the Application
column. You can create as many unlinked draft applications as
you wish.

16. Click on the Certify and Submit Application button. Your
application will be submitted and will appear in your My
Applications section with the status Applied.
The application that you have just created will now be
the latest version and will be available for
modifications whenever you apply to a job opening. A
modified application becomes your most current
application.

2. You should delete draft applications you will not use anymore by
clicking on the trash icon in the “Delete” column. This will help you
to maintain your applications.

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8.6.3 Withdrawing yourself from the Roster

3. Once you have linked a draft application to a job opening or
submitted it, you can still select it and modify accordingly for
another job opening.

8.6.2 Withdrawing your Application from a Job
Opening

You can withdraw yourself from a specific roster. Doing so will cause
you to be permanently removed from the roster and not considered as
a roster candidate for any future similar job openings.
Once the application is withdrawn, a new application
cannot be submitted a second time to the same job
opening.

You can withdraw your application provided it still has a status of
Applied or Rostered.

1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to
inspira. The Careers Home page appears.

Once the application is withdrawn, a new application
cannot be submitted a second time to the same job
opening.

2. In the My Career Tools section, click on the Roster Membership link.
All the applications for which you have been rostered will appear in
the My Roster Membership section.

1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to
inspira. The Careers Home page appears.
2. All your draft and submitted applications appear in the My
Applications section.

Legacy Roster applicants cannot withdraw or place
themselves on hold via inspira. A request to be placed on
hold and/or withdrawn must be placed in My HR Online.

3. Locate the application you wish to withdraw and click on the
Withdraw button. The following message appears:
“You have selected to withdraw your application for the
job opening. Please note that withdrawing your application will
not allow you to submit a new application for the same job
opening.
Click OK to confirm your choice or CANCEL to quit.”
4. Click on the OK button. The status of your application is changed
from Applied to Withdrawn.

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8.6.4 Placing your Roster Status on Hold
You can place your roster status on hold for up to one (1) year.
1. Login to inspira, refer to Section 1.2: Register and Login to
inspira. The Careers Home page appears.
2. In the My Career Tools section, click on the Roster Membership link.
All the applications for which you have been rostered will appear in
the My Roster Membership section.
3. Locate the application for which you were linked from a roster. The
application will have the status Rostered and the buttons Put on
Hold and Withdraw in the corresponding columns.
4. Click on the Put on Hold button. The On Hold Confirmation page
appears.
5.

Enter the time frame from which you wish to be placed on hold and
click on the OK button.
Once you enter a time frame, you will not be able to
change the dates. and you will not be added to any new
job openings.

3. Locate the application for which you were selected from a roster
and click on the Withdraw button. The following message appears:

The status of your application is changed from Rostered to Hold.

“You have selected to withdraw from the .
Please note that by withdrawing you will be removed permanently
from the above Roster on the basis of the last notification sent on
this matter.
Click OK to confirm your choice or CANCEL to quit.”
4. Click on the OK button. The status to the roster will change from
Rostered to Withdrawn.

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Chapter 9: Undergoing the Assessments
9.1 Overview
1. Applicants who have successfully passed the pre-screening process are released to the Hiring
Manager on a daily basis within the posting period shortly after the posting of the job opening.
Eligible roster applicants found to meet the requirements of the position are also released to the
Hiring Manager within the posting period of the job opening.
2. While the Hiring Manager may conduct his/her preliminary evaluation of the applicants'
academics, work experience and knowledge of languages immediately when an application is
released to him/her, it is not until after the deadline date of the job opening that the Hiring
Manager, together with the assessment panel, conducts the assessment exercise as stipulated in
the job opening. The most promising applicants are subsequently invited for a competency-based
interview.
3. Short-listed applicants shall be assessed to determine whether they meet the technical
requirements and competencies of the job opening. Hiring Managers or OGMs shall use the
appropriate assessment methods commensurate to the knowledge and competencies required for
the position.
4. Alternatively, the Hiring Manager may immediately recommend the selection of a qualified
roster applicant from among the released rostered applications. The Hiring Manager, while not
required to interview rostered applicants is encouraged to do so in a less formal setting in order
to establish a sense of the roster applicant’s overall fit within the team/unit. In order to speed
up the process, under such circumstances the Hiring Manager need not record his/her evaluation
of new non-rostered applications. Selection of a roster applicant is not required to go through a
review by a Central Review body. One or preferably several roster applicants found suitable may
be recommended for selection at this stage.
5. In order to move the recommendation of a roster applicant forward for selection, the Hiring
Manager shall be required to create an assessment record for the proposed roster applicant.
6. In all other cases, the Hiring Manager must evaluate the applications of all released applicants.
7. Applicants found suitable must be short-listed to undergo at least a competency-based interview
and/or an assessment exercise (knowledge-based test or other simulated exercise) by the Hiring
Manager.

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9.2 Understanding the Evaluation of Applicants
1. The standards set out below must be adhered to organization-wide in order to avoid variance in
how evaluations and assessments are conducted and recorded.
2. In order to speed up the process, the Hiring Manager may start analyzing the applications of
released applicants before the deadline date of the job opening. Evaluating each application
entails reviewing and documenting the findings of a preliminary analysis for each applicant as to
whether he/she meets all, most, some or none of the stipulated requirements against the
evaluation criteria stated in the job opening in terms of:
a. Academics
b. Experience
c. Language
However, the specialized test and/or interview shall not commence until after the deadline date
of the job opening and until all eligible applicants have been released.
3. During the preliminary evaluation of each applicant, the Hiring Manager will review and rate
each applicant in the three areas (academic, language and experience).
4. After this review, which is recorded in a standardized format to enhance the quality of selected
applicants, the Hiring Manager convokes the most promising applicants to an assessment
exercise.
5. Applicants who meet all required qualifications but do not meet the desirable qualifications are
considered qualified for the job and should be considered for a long list. Applicants who meet
both required and desirable qualifications are considered most promising applicants for the
position.
6. After the deadline date of the job opening, a substantive assessment is performed which may
include, depending on success:
a. The knowledge-based tests or other simulation exercise;
b. The competency-based interview; and
c. The assessment of applicants for positions involving significant functions in the management
of financial, human and physical resources as well as information and communications
technology shall also take into account the relevant criteria included in the job opening.
7. The Hiring Manager is required to prepare a reasoned record of the evaluation of the applicants
against the evaluation criteria. In doing so, the basis for this evaluation (e.g. application, cover
letter, e-PAS, assessment exercise or interview) is indicated. The record should compare the
applicants against the evaluation criteria and the job opening, not against one another. The
Hiring Manager will review and modify the scores for each applicant, followed by selecting the
applicant for the assessment exercises.

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9.3 Composition of the Assessment Panel
1. All Assessment Panels must be composed of staff members holding an appointment other than a
temporary appointment, serve at the same or at a higher level than that of the job opening and
shall normally not be the current/temporary position incumbent or the current position
incumbent that is to be replaced. Retirees from the UN System, consultants, contractors and
interns are not admissible as assessors.
2. The same assessment panel that arranges for the assessment exercises also conducts the
competency-based interviews. All applicants for one job opening are to be assessed and
interviewed by the same assessors.
3. Each assessment panel is to be composed of a minimum of three assessors and every effort should
be made to obtain geographical diversity and gender balance:
a. The Hiring Manager who is usually the chair;
b. Two subject matter experts:
i.

One of whom is preferably from a non-related office within the Organization, or if not
available from another United Nations agency, international organization or established
partner institution, who is at the same or a higher level of the position under review. The
individual shall be on a fixed-term contract.

ii. At least one of the assessors should be female who is also at least at the same level as
the position under review.
c. In situations where the assessment exercise is technical, a technical expert may be invited
to evaluate the assessment exercise. The technical expert should preferably be from a nonrelated office within the Organization, or if not available from another United Nations
agency, international organization or established partner institution, who is at the same or a
higher level of the position under review.
4. The assessment panel advises the Hiring Manager. The Hiring Manager enters the interview
findings into inspira. Each assessor may choose to enter or not to enter into inspira his/her
individual ratings within five working days.
5. The Recruiter may participate in cases of senior managerial positions commensurate with their
level, with the full right to participate in the deliberations as an assessor.
6. The Hiring Manager may invite a representative on gender issues to participate in assessment
exercises as an observer.
7. For positions at the D-2 level, the panels shall comprise of at least three members, with two
members from outside the department or office, and at least one female.

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9.4 Assessment Methods
1. The assessment methods can be a technical test, a written exercise, a case study, a presentation,
a simulation exercise, an essay exercise, or another exercise to measure a particular set of skills
commensurate with the job. Such assessment exercises are conducted in strict confidence and
applicants will be advised in advance of the time to be allocated.
2. The outcome of the assessment exercise serves to show what an applicant can do in a simulated
work environment, how the applicant thinks and acts, what qualities and characteristics the
applicant possesses, and what the applicant knows and has done.
3. The outcome is evaluated by an assessment panel.

9.4.1 Written Exercise
1. Written exercises typically require the applicant to assume the role of the position under
recruitment. A common example of a written exercise at a first level management (P-3/P-4)
position may involve placing the applicant in a work setting, where a crisis is developing. The
situation requires the applicant to take responsibility for the situation.
2. The applicant may be requested to work through a pile of correspondence in a written exercise
or is given an assignment to complete within a specified deadline. These exercises commonly
measure job skills such as ability to organize and prioritize work, analytical skills, communication
with team members and clients, written communication skills and delegation (if a higher-level
position). This type of exercise may take up to three hours.

9.4.2 Case Study
The applicant may be asked to develop a project document, which incorporates work plans,
milestones, budgeting and resources. This type of exercise may measure the ability to analyze
complex issues and data; develop a project idea; anticipate start-up problems and seek solutions;
and present findings, using a mixture of presentation skills.

9.4.3 Presentation
The presentation exercise will provide the applicant with the opportunity to demonstrate his/her
knowledge on a particular subject, as well as oral communication skills. Typically, the topic should
be given to the applicant with adequate time (at least an hour) to prepare a presentation. The
applicant should be made aware that supplementary questions about the presentation may be asked
by the audience. The time limit for the presentation should be clear at the outset.

9.4.4 Simulation Exercise
Accounting Assistants, for instance, may be asked to complete tests measuring accuracy against
speed which cannot be measured through interviews alone. For instance, a particular test may
require invoices to be reconciled against a spreadsheet ledger, with errors being appropriately
amended. Numerical tests may involve calculating expenditures and processing claims using a
multiple choice answer format.

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9.4.5 Technical Test
Technical tests are used to determine if the candidate has the technical skills and/or knowledge
required for the position. Technical tests can be written knowledge tests or written exercises, case
studies and simulations, all of which are methods that can be used to demonstrate a candidate’s
technical abilities.

9.4.6 Essay Exercise
Essay exercises may be used to test a candidate’s written communication skills, ability to make a case
for a particular position, and/or argue a particular point and to persuade others. Usually the
candidate is given an issue statement and must explain in writing his/her position on the issue. There
is no right or wrong position, rather the Hiring Manager is looking for how well the candidate has
structured the argument and used facts to prove his/her point.

9.4.7 Other Assessment Methods
Other assessment methodologies may be any exercise to measure a particular set of job skills. The
above exercises should be designed to be completed within a given timeframe, normally within two
hours.

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Chapter 10: Undergoing the Competency-based
Interviews
10.1 Competency-based Interviews
1. Applicants scoring high in the assessment exercise are invited to an interview, which could be a
face-to-face, or a telephone interview conducted by the assessment panel. Where feasible, video
conferences may be used for interviews. Ideally, all applicants are interviewed in the same
manner in order to reduce the risk that the bias of any one individual will prevail.
2. At the time of the preparation of the job opening, the interview questions were prepared. These
questions must be competency-based and build and expand on the knowledge-based tests and/
or the other assessment exercises.
3. The interview applies the United Nations Secretariat competency-based interviewing techniques.
All competencies listed in the evaluation criteria must be consistently applied and covered in the
evaluation of all interviewed candidates. Some competencies will be covered in the interview,
others in another assessment method commensurate with the functions of the position
4. A competency-based interview (sometimes referred to as a 'behavioural-' or a 'criterion-based'
interview) is a particular type of structured interview in which the assessor's questioning is
directed at ascertaining the applicant’s qualities or capabilities on a number of job-related
dimensions of behaviour (competencies), as defined in the job opening.
5. In contrast to the 'traditional interview', questions from the interviewing panel usually focus on
eliciting specific examples from the applicants in which they describe situations where they
might (or might not) have demonstrated the required behaviours. These are probed in a
systematic way by the assessors to build up a picture of the relative strengths and weaknesses of
the applicant on the specific competencies.
6. The same questions that focus on eliciting specific examples from the applicants in which they
describe situations where they might (or might not) have demonstrated the required behaviours
are applied to every applicant.
7. The interviewee should be prepared to discuss all competencies listed in the job opening during
the interview. Normally the interview chairperson will clarify at the outset which competencies
are to be addressed in a session. An interview session typically lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.

10.2 Communicating with Applicants about the Assesments
and Interviews
1. Applicants convoked for interviews are normally notified at least five working days in advance.
The invitation includes the date, time and means of the interview (telephone, video conference,
face-to-face) and also informs the applicant of the names of the assessors.
2. At the beginning of the interview, the chairperson should state which competencies will be
addressed and informs the applicant that the session will last from 30 to 60 minutes. The
invitation includes a reference to the position and the date, time and means (eg, in person, by
telephone or by video conference) of where and how the interview will be held as well as the
name, functional title and department/office/mission of each assessor.

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Chapter 11: Understanding the Role of the Central
Review bodies
This chapter provides an understanding of the various types of Central Review bodies and the role
they play in the review of the evaluation criteria and approval of the list of recommended candidates.

11.1 Role of the Central Review Bodies
1. In line with Staff Rule 4.15, Central Review Bodies are established at Headquarters and at
designated duty stations to review and advise on the recommendations for selection of: staff in
the P-5 and D-1 levels (Central Review Boards), staff in the professional category up to and
including the P-4 level (Central Review Committees), and staff in the General Service and
related categories at the G-5, TC-4 and S-3 levels and above (Central Review Panels) in the
Secretariat.
2. A Central Review Board for regional commissions is established to review and provide advice on
the recommendations for selection of staff at the P-5 and D-1 levels for the five regional
commissions (Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
the Pacific, and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia).
3. Field Central Review bodies are established in the Department of Field Support to review and
advise on the recommendations of candidates for inclusion in rosters: at the P-5 and D-1 levels
(Field Central Review Board), at the professional category for positions up to and including the
P-4 level, as well as positions in the Field Service category at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels (Central
Review Committees), and in the Field Service category up to and including the FS-5 level
(Central Review Panels) in peacekeeping operations and special political missions administered
by the Department of Field Support. The roster candidates may subsequently be selected for
appointments to specific positions. Field Central Review bodies also offer advice on the
recommendations for selection of staff to position-specific job openings as well as positions in
peacekeeping operations and special political missions, as and when required.
4. The Senior Review Group is established to offer advice on recommendations to the SecretaryGeneral for selections of staff to positions at the D-2 level. The Senior Review Group will use
the inpsira platform and follow their established Rules of Procedure as per the provisions of ST/
SGB/2011/8 governing the establishment, composition and functions of the Senior Review Group
(SRG).
5. Assessment panels and expert panels (departmental, interdepartmental or at the unit level)
are distinct entities from the Central Review bodies, with entirely different functions. As such,
their composition and duties are in no way tied to the structure or functions of the Central
Review bodies.
6. Applicants who, following the established recruitment procedures outlined in ST/AI/2010/3
dated 21 April 2010 on the Staff Selection System, have been endorsed by a Central Review
body and selected for a position, become internal applicants (except for applicants at the
General Service and related categories applying to vacancies at the Field Service category). As a
result, the appointment status of the individual selected would not or would no longer be limited
to service with the entity concerned. Staff members with a limited appointment status who have
not been recruited following a competitive process pursuant to Staff Rule 4.15 (review by a
Central Review body) or Staff Rule 4.16 (competitive recruitment examination) serving in those
entities under Section 3.3 of ST/AI/2010/3 dated 21 April 2010 where Heads of Departments/
Offices have been delegated authority to appoint and promote staff up to and including the D-1

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level for service limited to the entity concerned, are considered external applicants unless they
apply for a position within the Department in which they currently serve.
7. Alternatively, Heads of Departments/Offices who choose not to opt for the full application of
the staff selection system as promulgated in ST/AI/2010/3 dated 21 April 2010 and who have
been delegated authority to appoint and promote staff for service limited to the entity concerned
may establish a special joint body to advise them in the exercise of their authority. Individuals
selected for positions without the endorsement of a duly established Central Review body
remain external applicants unless they apply for a position within the Department in which they
currently serve and have an appointment status limited to the entity concerned.
8. In cases of separately administered programmes, funds and subsidiary organs of the United
Nations, the executive heads of these entities, to whom the Secretary-General has delegated
appointment and promotion functions, may establish advisory bodies to advise them in the case
of staff members recruited specifically for service with those programmes, funds or subsidiary
organs.

11.2 Function of Central Review Bodies
1. The Central Review bodies:
a. review and approve the evaluation criteria of job openings created based on individually
classified job descriptions;
b. review recommendations for filling a specific position or for placing candidates on the roster
following a generic job opening made by departments/offices concerned to ensure that the
integrity of the process was upheld, that the eligible applications and profiles of applicants
were reviewed on the basis of the pre-approved evaluation criteria and that the applicable
procedures were followed.

11.3 Secretary of the Central Review Body
1. The Office of Human Resources Management and the local human resources offices designate a
staff member to serve as Secretary of a Central Review body.
2. The duties of the Secretary shall include:
a. Notifying members of a case submitted for review through inspira;
b. Communicating the agenda at least two working days prior to the time that members are
expected to commence with the online deliberations;
c. Notifying any official whose participation may be requested by the Central Review body;
d. Ensuring the availability of all records through inspira; and
e. Drafting recommendations and correspondence for approval by the Chairperson.
3. The Secretary shall record the recommendations of the Central Review body and transmit them
on behalf of the Chair to the Heads of Departments/Offices/Missions or the Department of
Management, as applicable. The Secretary also maintains a record and provides statistics as and
when required.

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11.4 Composition of the Central Review Body and Rules of
Procedures
For the composition of the Central Review bodies, their Rules of Procedures and functions, refer to
ST/SGB/2011/7 -Secretary-General’s bulletin on Central Review bodies.

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Chapter 12: The Status Matrix and Compliance
with Staffing Imperatives
12.1 Overview
1. Each Head of Department/Office/Mission is accountable to the Secretary-General for the
manner in which the selection process is conducted in his/her department/office/mission and for
the progress made towards achieving the targets for geography and gender balance. Each Head
of Department/Office/Mission is also responsible for collaborating with other Head of
Department/Office/Mission in the same job network (occupational network) to support the
achievement of human resources management plans and encourage multi-disciplinary
approaches.
2. The Management Performance Board1 advises the Secretary-General and monitors, inter alia,
the manner in which Head of Department/Office/Mission exercise all aspects of the authority
that has been delegated to them, including their performance in achieving the Organization's
legislative mandates in human resources management.
3. Where problems are identified, the Management Performance Board considers the management
policy implications and holds Head of Department/Office/Mission accountable by
recommending appropriate corrective actions by reviewing the action taken, and deciding on any
further measures necessary. Based on its findings, the Management Performance Board may
recommend appropriate remedies. Recommendations are communicated to the SecretaryGeneral and the concerned Head of Department/Office/Mission. The Management
Performance Board monitors implementation of any decision taken by the Secretary-General,
or agreement made between the Secretary-General and the concerned Head of Department/
Office/Mission.

12.2 Status Matrix
1. The status matrix contains elements that are mandatory and/or organizational imperatives for
which overall performance measurement systems are in place (e.g. the HRM Scorecard), and
those factors that are desirable in terms of the organizational values as a responsible employer.
2. When selecting a serving staff member who has been recruited after a competitive process
pursuant to Staff Rule 4.15 (review by a Central Review body) or Staff Rule 4.16 (Competitive
Recruitment Examination), the representation of his/her nationality in the Secretariat for
positions subject to the system of desirable ranges is not an element that merits special
consideration. However, the individual's gender, does play a role in the status matrix for
positions in the Professional and higher categories. Female applicants who are serving with the
separately administered United Nations funds and programmes or any specialized agency or
organization of the United Nations common system holding a current appointment at the P-3 or
P-4 levels and who have been in service for a continuous period of 12 months and whose
appointments have been endorsed by a review body or equivalent in their organization are
considered internal applicants for positions at the P-4 or P-5 levels, respectively.
3. In the final selection due consideration should also be given to candidates who are:
a. victims of malicious acts or natural disasters;2
1
2

ST/SGB/2010/4 dated 15 April 2010 on Management Performance Board
As mandated per Resolution A/RES/64/260 dated 5 May 2010 on Special Subjects relating to the Programme Budget for the
Biennium 2010-2011

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b. serving staff members who have served under the former 200 and 300 series of the Staff
Rules;
c. applicants from troop or police-contributing countries for positions in a peacekeeping
operation or Headquarters support account-funded positions in Department of Peacekeeping
Operations, the Department of Field Support and other departments with support account
resources; and
d. prior service or employment of candidates in field duty stations, for positions for which
relevant field experience is highly desirable, as applicable and as stipulated in Chapter III
paragraph 10 General Assembly resolution A/RES/63/250 dated 10 February 2009 on Human
Resources Management.

12.3 Selection Decision
1. When the Central Review body is satisfied that the evaluation criteria were properly applied
and/or the applicable procedures were followed, the Head of Department/Office, under the
delegated authority, makes a selection decision from thelist of recommended candidates.
2. The Head of Department/Office has the authority to make selection decisions, under the
delegated authority, of staff up to and including the D-1 level.
3. Where recruitment authority has not been delegated to a Head of Department/Office,
appointment decisions are made by OHRM or the Department of Field Support (DFS) for positions
up to and including the D-1 level.
4. Selection and appointment decisions for positions at the D-2 level are made by the SecretaryGeneral when the SRG, or a similar body for positions at the D-2 level in peacekeeping operations
and special political missions, is satisfied that the applicable procedures were followed.
5. The Head of Department/Officeshall select the candidate he/she considers to be best suited for
the functions. In the final selection due consideration should also be given to staff members who
are victims of malicious acts or natural disasters; serving staff members who have served under
the former 200 and 300 series of the Staff Rules; candidates from troop- or police-contributing
countries for positions in a peacekeeping operation or Headquarters support account-funded
positions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Field Support and
other departments with support account resources; and prior service or employment of
candidates in field duty stations, for positions for which relevant field experience is highly
desirable, as applicable and as stipulated in General Assembly resolution 63/250.
6. If a list of recommended candidates has been approved by the Central Review body, the Head
of Department/Office, in close cooperation with the Hiring Manager and other responsible
officials in the department/office, shall select for a position-specific job opening the candidate
he/she considers to be best suited for the functions mindful of the departmental HRM Scorecard
and the elements contained in the status matrix. The other recommended candidates shall be
placed on a roster of pre-approved applicants from which they may be considered for future job
openings at the same level within a job family and/or with similar functions.
7. When a Central Review bodies finds that the evaluation criteria have not been properly applied
and/or the applicable procedures have not been followed, authority to make a selection decision
with respect to a particular job opening is withdrawn. The case is referred to the:
•
•
•

ASG/OHRM for positions up to and including the P-4 level;
Under-Secretary-General for Management for positions at the P-5 and D-1 levels; or
Head of Department/Office with delegation of authority for positions up to and including
the D-1 level.
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8. The Head of Department/Office has the authority to select a roster candidate pre-approved for
selection without further reference to the Central Review bodies, on the recommendation of
the Hiring Manager, if the selected candidate for a position-specific job opening fails to take up
the functions with established timeframes or vacates the position within one year.
9. Similarly, the Head of Department/Officehas the authority to select a roster candidate preapproved for selection without further reference to the Central Review bodies, on the
recommendation of the Hiring Manager from among the applications released to him/her,
provided that for a position-specific job opening a new job opening has been published, the
Hiring Manager has conducted the necessary evaluations and the roster candidate is suitable for
the job opening.
10. An external applicant is an individual who has not been recruited under Staff Rules 4.15
(following the review by Central Review bodies) or Staff Rule 4.16 (through the National
Competitive Recruitment Examination/Young Professionals Programme). Staff members whose
appointment is limited to service in a particular department or office are also considered
external applicants. Associate experts, consultants, individual contractors, interns, gratis
personnel and staff from other organizations of the United Nations System are also considered
external candidates. This information is provided for purposes of meeting the requirements of
Staff Regulation 4.4.
11. Where a roster candidate is proposed for selection for a position involving significant functions in
human resources, financial or physical resources as well as information and communications
technology, selection may not take place until the individual concerned has been designated by
the Department of Management (OHRM for Human Resources, OPPBA for finance, OCSS for
physical resources, OICT for information and communications technology and DFS for field
personnel). Due to the large volume of candidates that are being rostered for generic job
openings, it may not have been possible to perform the designation review for all candidates prior
to inclusion in a roster.

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Chapter 13: Communication with the Applicant
13.1 Selection Notification
1. The Executive Office at UNHQ or the local human resources office shall inform the selected
candidate of the selection decision and initiate the on boarding process within 14 days after the
decision is made.

13.1.1 Selected Candidates
1. The decision to select a candidate is implemented upon its official written communication to the
individual concerned, subject to the following provisions:
a. When the selection entails promotion to a higher level, the earliest possible date on which
the promotion may become effective shall be the first day of the month following the
approval decision, subject to all approvals, i.e. designation from the Department of
Management has been obtained for positions performing significant functions in human,
financial, and physical resources, as well as information and communications technology,
reference checks have been completed, and subject to the availability of the position and
the assumption of higher-level functions. However, when an encumbered position has been
included in the compendium after upward reclassification and an applicant other than the
incumbent is selected, the decision shall be implemented only when a suitable position has
been identified for the incumbent.
b. When a serving staff member is the selected candidate, he/she must be released as soon as
possible. The staff member's release shall be no later than one month after the date on which
the releasing office is notified of the selection decision, if the move is within the same duty
station. A staff member selected for a position in another duty station, including a mission,
shall be released no later than two months after the selection decision.
c. When the selected candidate fails to take up the functions within the specified timeframes
for personal reasons, or when the selected candidate vacates the post within one year, the
Head of Department/Office may select another candidate from the list endorsed by the
Central Review body for the particular vacancy. If no such candidate is available, the Head
of Department/Office may select another candidate from the roster or may advertise the
post in the compendium if no roster candidate is found to be suitable.

13.1.2 Rostered Candidates
1. The inclusion in a roster is done automatically for a candidate who has been endorsed by the
relevant Central Review body and are not selected for the position. The candidate will receive
a notification that he/she has been placed in the roster that is relevant to the job code of the
job opening; this includes position-specific job openings or generic job openings up to and
including the D-1 level.
2. The roster candidate shall retain his/her status in a roster for a period of two (2) years for a male
candidate or three (3) years for a female candidate.
3. For position-specific job openings, inclusion in the roster occurs after the first day of the month
following the confirmation of the selection by the Head of Department.
4. For generic job openings, inclusion in the roster occurs immediately following the endorsement
by the relevant Central Review body.

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5. A rostered applicant is pre-approved for similar functions, from which he/she may be considered
for future job openings at the same level and in the job family and occupational network of the
job opening.

13.2 Non-Selection Notification
All applicants will be informed after the selection decision has been made.
The status of applications can be viewed under:
•

Main Menu

•

Self Service

•

Recruiting Activities

•

Careers

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Chapter 14: Roster Management
14.1 General
1. Rosters are a pool of candidates who have been endorsed by a Central Review body for a
particular job opening but not selected, and who have indicated an interest in being considered
for selection for a future job opening with similar functions at the same level.
2. These candidates, who, in connection with a previous application for either a generic or a specific
job opening, have undergone a rigorous competency and knowledge-based assessment and
vetting process conducted by an Assessment Panel may be selected without referral to a Central
Review body.
3. Rostered applicants are considered ready, willing and able for positions with similar functions and
requirements (work experience, education, languages, competencies and skills). From among
this pool, available roster applicants can be attached to newly advertised position-specific job
openings for consideration. Entities with approval for roster-based recruitment may decide to
select a roster applicant without having to advertise the new vacant position. In this case, a
review by the Central Review body is not required, since the rostered applicant is already
vetted, hence speeding up the recruitment process.
4. The entities with approval to use the roster-based option to fill project-related positions in the
field are: Department of Field Support (DFS); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC);
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-HABITAT); United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The intent is to ensure that these entities are able
to fulfil their mandates in a timely manner, particularly in the areas of anti-money laundering,
remote sensing/crop monitoring, etc. The use of the roster-based option does not apply to
established positions in the field such as, representative and programme management officers.
5. To manage rosters and ensure sufficient number of available applicants in relevant rosters and
to maintain the accuracy of the applicants availability and contact information, the processes
described in the following section outlines the necessary steps that Recruiters and OGMs need
to engage to retain this pool of qualified applicants expeditiously available for placement.

14.2 Inclusion in the Roster
1. Candidates who have been recommended and endorsed by a Central Review body for a position
but not selected will be automatically entered into a roster by inspira for the job code of the
position. Candidates are entered into the roster as of:
a. For position-specific job openings:
i.

If the candidate is a newly rostered candidate, the retention time is calculated from the
first day of the month following confirmation on the selection by the Head of
Department.

ii. If the candidate is already rostered for the job code, their membership is renewed as of
the first day of the month following confirmation on the selection by the Head of
Department.
b. For generic job openings, the retention time is calculated immediately following the
endorsement of the Central Review body.
c. For Legacy rostered candidates:
Legacy rostered candidates recommended and endorsed by a Central Review Body for a
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position but not selected will be automatically entered into the inspira roster.
2. In instances where a selected candidate for a position-specific job opening declines to take up
the functions, s/he will be placed on the roster and may be considered for future job openings
with similar functions (within 30%) at the same level and in the same job network of the job
opening.
3. Rostered candidates who were recommended for a position that did not require endorsement
from a Central Review body and were not selected, will not be re-rostered. They will remain in
their current roster for the remaining duration of their membership.
4. Rostered applicants are pre-approved for similar functions (within 30%), from which they may be
considered for future job openings at the same level, in the same job network.
5. Internal applicants who are placed in the roster shall be placed at the job opening competition
level and their personal level, if different. For example: an applicant whose personal level is P4 who applied to a P-5 position and was rostered, shall be rostered at the P-5 and P-4 level.
6. Internal applicants who apply to positions at the same level as their personal level and are
rostered, shall be rostered at their personal level. For example: an applicant whose personal
level is P-4 who applied to a P-4 position and is rostered, shall be placed in the roster at the P-4
level only.
7. Generic job openings unrelated to a specific position are published for the purpose of creating
and maintaining viable rosters of qualified applicants for immediate and anticipated job
openings, including job openings for less than one year, mainly, but not only, for entities with
approval to use roster-based recruitment. Such immediate and/or anticipated job openings are
identified through strategic workforce planning in peacekeeping operations, special political
missions and other field-based initiatives. Typically, the field-based initiatives are activities
previously administered under the former 200 series of Staff Rules, such as programme and
projects implemented in the areas of humanitarian intervention, human rights, drug control and
crime prevention, etc. Rosters are actively managed, i.e. when it is found that there is an
insufficient number of rostered applicants available on a particular roster, generic job openings
are published to attract new applicants of the appropriate diversity in terms of geographical
representation and gender.
8. Internal applicants and serving staff members other than those holding a temporary appointment
are eligible to be considered for positions at their personal level or one level higher in line with
the matrix as contained in Matrix for Pre-screening on Level in the annex. In order to foster
mobility, a staff member on an appointment other than a temporary appointment from a
Headquarters location, including Regional Commissions, selected for assignment to a position at
one level higher than his/her current grade in a peacekeeping operation or special political
mission for one year or longer, where a lien is maintained against a position at the parent duty
station, may be temporarily promoted to the level of the position for the duration of the mission
assignment. A staff member temporarily promoted may apply during the mission assignment to
job openings at one level higher than his/her temporary grade level, provided that the staff
member has spent more than 12 continuous months on the mission assignment. Where such a staff
member is recommended but not selected, his/her name will be included in the roster at the
level of the job opening for which he/she applied. At the end of this assignment, the staff
member will revert to his/her original grade level at the parent duty station.
9. The above provisions also apply to staff members from a peacekeeping operation, special
political mission and field-based initiative who are selected for a position at one level higher than
their current grade from a roster, endorsed by the Central Review body, for a job opening of a
finite nature at an established duty station or Regional Commission.
10. Every effort must be made to obtain complete reference verifications and the required
designation for positions performing significant functions in human, financial and physical

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resources as well as information and communications technology shortly after the candidates
have been rostered. Therefore, the Recruiter will have to ensure that any required designation,
including reference checks, is completed prior to selection.
11. Roster applicants who have been rostered following their application to a vacancy announcement
advertised in Galaxy maintain their status for the remaining period stipulated for his/her roster
eligibility and are migrated for this purpose into inspira.

14.3 Validity of Rosters
1. Once candidates have been placed in an inspira roster that is relevant to the job code for the job
opening for which they applied, they will maintain membership in the roster for the following
durations:
•

Before 01/01/2007, the expiry date for both men and women was one (1) year from the
inclusion date to the roster.

•

Between 01/01/2007 through 21/04/2010, the expiry date is: for women, three (3) years
from the inclusion date to the roster and for men, one (1) year from the inclusion date to the
roster.

•

From 22/04/2010 to the Present, the expiry date is: for women, three (3) years from the
inclusion date to the roster and for men, two (2) years from the inclusion date to the roster.

2. Legacy rostered candidates falling under the provisions of section 9.3 of ST/AI/2006/3/Rev.1 will
maintain membership in the roster for the remaining period stipulated for their roster
eligibility.Once a candidate has been placed in an inspira roster, they will maintain membership
in the roster for the following durations:
•

Legacy rostered candidates falling under the provisions of section 9.3 of ST/AI/2006/3 Rev.1
will maintain membership in the roster for the remaining period stipulated for their roster
eligibility. The expiry date for women will be three (3) years from the inclusion date on the
roster and for men, one (1) year from the inclusion date on the roster.

•

Inspira and Legacy candidates falling under the provisions of section 9.4 of ST/AI/2010/3 will
maintain membership in the roster as follows: for women, three (3) years from the inclusion
date in the roster and for men, two (2) years from the inclusion date.

3. Candidates who have been rostered may have one of the following dispositions:
•

Rostered - indicates that you have continued interest in being considered for future job
openings for job codes similar to the one you originally applied to and have been rostered.
Active applicants will have the disposition of Rostered.

•

Hold - invoked by the applicant, the applicant can temporarily suspend her/his membership
on the roster for up to one (1) year. This means that their application will not be considered
for any future job openings for job codes similar to the one they were rostered for while their
membership is suspended. Suspending your membership in the roster for a period of time will
not extend your duration in the roster.

•

Expired - indicates that the applicant’s membership in the roster has expired and her/his
application is no longer available for selection.

•

Withdrawn - invoked by the applicant, the applicant has removed their application from the
roster and is no longer available for selection.

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4. Candidates in certain roster types (e.g. NCRE, Language, etc.) do not have an expiry date on their
membership. The listing of these roster types will be defined upon the creation of the roster.

14.4 Communication with Roster Applicants
1. An automatic notification shall be sent to all applicants at the moment that they are rostered.
This notification shall explain that they have been rostered and that they may be considered in
the future for similar positions.
2. An automatic notification shall be sent to the rostered applicant(s) upon being linked to a Job
Opening through Roster Search.
3. When the Hiring Manager identifies suitable roster applicants, he/she is encouraged to contact
the applicant(s) to ascertain his/her interest and availability for the position.
4. Roster candidates are encouraged to apply to positions for which they are qualified. They are
advised to include in their cover letter that they are rostered applicants .

14.5 Roster Search
1. Roster searches are conducted based on the job code (job family, category/level, functional title
and roster type). The job functions, required qualifications and evaluation criteria as well as skills
and pre-screening questions of the job opening under which roster applicants were rostered are
identical or similar to the new job opening and may deviate by a maximum of 30%. Judgment will
have to be applied by the Recruiter who is encouraged to seek advice from the substantive office
on technical details as well as specific position requirements from the Hiring Manager to identify
the closest match. Although it is required that the functions of the previously reviewed positions
be similar to the new position being advertised, it is the responsibilities, i.e. the position
requirements such as competencies, education, work experience, languages and other skill
functions that must also be taken into account, since these requirements would be prerequisites
in order to perform those functions.
2. Roster searches for position-specific job openings are conducted by the Recruiter/OGM or the
local human resources office responsible for the case during the posting period. The Recruiter/
OGM links and submits the rostered applicants found suitable for the position to the Hiring
Manager during the posting period of the job opening.
3. The Recruiter must link the roster applicants found suitable for the position to the job opening
during the posting period of the job opening.

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4. For field roster candidates, the respective department's Executive office in consultation with the
Hiring Manager should advise the Recruiter if any roster applicants should be linked to the job
opening within the posting period of the job opening.
5. Once a roster applicant is identified, the Hiring Manager is encouraged to contact the
applicant(s) to ascertain his/her interest and availability for the position.
6. In entities that have approval for roster-based recruitment, roster searches are conducted by the
Occupational Group Manager when a position becomes vacant for submission to the Hiring
Manager.
7. The Roster Management functionality allows the Recruiter to search rosters using the evaluation
criteria of the new job opening or narrow the search by selecting additional criteria.
8. The applicant selected from an inspira roster and linked to the job opening is marked with the
symbol RM. The applicant selected from a Legacy roster and linked to the job opening is marked
with the symbol GX.
9. Applicants who are on a roster but apply directly to the job opening will undergo the prescreening process and have the disposition assigned by the pre-screening process and may be
marked with the symbol RM/GX when they are linked to the job opening by the Recruiter, at
which time they will be marked with the symbol RM/GX but their disposition will not change.
10. The rostered applicant who is informed of his/her inclusion in the pool of applicants for a new
job opening cannot actively apply again.

14.6 Consideration of Roster Applicants
1. There is no minimum or maximum number of roster applicants that is to be added to a newly
published job opening.
2. Hiring Managers may immediately recommend the selection of a qualified roster applicant from
among the released rostered applications. The Hiring Manager is not required to interview the
rostered applicant. In order to speed up the process, under such circumstances Hiring Managers
need not record their evaluations of new non-rostered applications. Selection of a rostered
applicant does not require a further review by the Central Review bodies. One or preferably
several roster applicants found suitable may be recommended for selection at this stage.
3. Rostered candidates are eligible for consideration and selection as rostered applicants only if
they were placed on the roster prior to or during the posting period of the Job Opening for which
they are being considered.
4. In order to move the recommendation of the roster applicant forward for selection, the Hiring
Manager shall be required to enter a final evaluation for the proposed roster applicant.
5. When more than one post is advertised in a job opening, the Hiring Managers may immediately
recommend the selection of a qualified roster applicant from among the released rostered
applications. The Hiring Manager is not required to interview the rostered applicant. In order to
speed up the process, under such circumstances Hiring Managers need not record their
evaluations of new non-rostered applications. Selection of a rostered applicant does not require
a further review by the Central Review bodies. One or preferably several roster applicants found
suitable may be recommended for selection at this stage.
6. The recommended list may be comprised of only rostered applicants, only new applicants or a
mix of the two. A recommended list that only contains rostered applicants does not require a
review by the Central Review body. In all other cases, the full recommended list must go to the
respective Central Review body for endorsement. When the Central Review body is satisfied
that the evaluation criteria were properly applied and/or the applicable procedures were

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followed, the recommendation along with a reasoned record is submitted to the Head of
Department/Office for making a selection decision.
7. When considering rostered candidates, the Recruiter should note that a candidate who served at
a higher level upon a temporary promotion and has been rostered at a higher level than the level
of the temporary promotion and has meanwhile returned to his/her original level, is only eligible
for consideration for positions at one level higher than his/her personal level and is no longer a
valid roster candidate at the higher level.

14.7 Selection of Roster Candidates
1. In instances where a selected candidate for a position-specific job opening fails to take up the
functions within the specified period for personal reasons or vacates the position within one year
of appointment, the Head of Department/Office may select another candidate from the list
endorsed by the Central Review body with respect to the particular job opening. If no such
candidate is available, the Head of Department/Office may select another candidate from the
relevant roster or, if no roster candidate is found to be suitable, decide to advertise the position
in the compendium.
2. The Recruiter will have to ensure that reference verifications and the required designation for
positions performing significant functions in financial, human and physical resources as well as
information and communication technology have been obtained for all rostered candidates from
the Department of Management and the Office of Information and Communication Technology
(OICT) prior to selection.
3. Once a job opening is advertised, Hiring Managers may immediately recommend the selection
of a qualified roster applicant or qualified roster applicants (when filling multiple positions) from
among the released rostered applications. Hiring Managers are not required to interview roster
applicants but are encouraged to do so in a less formal setting in order to establish a sense of the
applicant’s overall fit within the team/unit. In order to speed up the process, under such
circumstances the Hiring Manager need not record his/her evaluation of new non-rostered
applications. Selection of a roster applicant is not required to go through a review by a Central
Review body. One or preferably several roster applicants found suitable may be recommended
for selection at this stage.
4. In order to move the recommendation of a roster applicant forward for selection, the Hiring
Manager shall be required to enter a final assessment in order to 'recommend' the proposed
roster applicant for selection.
5. In all other cases when either filling one or multiple position (s), Hiring Managers are required
to review all new applications along with rostered candidates and must evaluate the profiles and
record their findings as to whether they find the applicant as meeting none, some, or all of the
required qualifications must be long-listed by the Hiring Manager. Any applicant found suitable
(meeting the required and if applicable, any desirable qualifications) must be short-listed by the
Hiring Manager to undergo at least a competency-based interview and/or an assessment
exercise (knowledge-based test or other simulated exercise).
6. Rostered candidates are eligible for consideration and selection as rostered applicants only if
they were placed on the roster prior to or during the posting period of the Job Opening in the
job family for which they are being considered.
•

Where multiple positions are advertised under one job opening the Hiring Managermay
immediately select one or more rostered candidates to one or more position(s), the
Hiring Manager may then continue with the recruitment process for all new applications
for any remaining positions and submit the recommended list after internal departmental

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approval through the Executive Office for recruiter to review ahead of submission to the
relevant Central Review body for endorsement.
7. The consideration and selection of a roster applicant shall be possible right up to the point before
the Hiring Manager submits a recommended list via the Executive Office to the Recruiter to
submit to the relevant Central Review body for endorsement. Once the recommended list of
candidates is submitted, the Hiring Manager shall no longer be able to recommend a direct any
selections from the roster.
8. Where only roster candidates are recommended for selection by the Hiring Manager, further
reference to the Central Review body is not required.
9. In instances where a Hiring Manager recommends a combination of rostered and new applicants
for a vacant position, the recommended list shall be reviewed by the Central Review bodies.
10. Where multiple positions are advertised under one job opening, the Hiring Manager may
immediately select one or more rostered candidates to fill the position(s). For any remaining
positions on the JO not filled through the roster, the Hiring Manager then continue with the
recruitment process to fill the remaining positions and must submit a recommended list of
candidates for review by the Central Review body. The recommended list can be comprised of
a mixture of rostered and new candidates or a list of only new candidates.

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Chapter 15: Placement Outside the Normal
Process
This chapter provides information on when a candidate can be placed in a vacant position without
undergoing the staff selection process and by whom.

15.1 Assistant Secretary-General for OHRM
The ASG/OHRM has the authority:
1. To decide on the lateral reassignment of staff members participating in a voluntary reassignment
programme and Voluntary Initiative for Network Exchange (VINE), without reference to the
Central Review bodies. The programmes, aiming to stimulate mobility of staff, are strictly
voluntary. Such movement shall be limited to incumbents of positions approved for inclusion in
the exercise and shall not affect the application of the normal rules governing promotion or
selection of staff for vacant positions.
2. To place in a suitable position incumbents, other than staff members holding a temporary
appointment, for positions which have been reclassified upward and for which an applicant other
than the incumbent has been selected, when in need of placement outside the normal process.

15.2 Under-Secretary-General for Field Support
The Under-Secretary-General for Field Support has the authority to assign the following staff
members when in need of placement outside the normal process:
1. Staff members in a family mission who have reached the maximum standard assignment length,
in order to share the burden of service in non-family missions and to give opportunities for
movement of staff from non-family missions to a family mission;
2. Staff members in peacekeeping operations or special political missions not limited to service with
a specific mission, when necessary to meet surge requirements.

15.3 Head of Department/Office
1. Parent departments/offices are responsible for ensuring that the positions of staff members who
are on mission detail and who hold a permanent, continuing or fixed-term appointment are
blocked for the return of these staff members, as currently provided in paragraph 7 of ST/AI/404
dated 19 May 1995.
2. A Head of Department/Office has the authority:
a. To transfer staff laterally within his/her department/office/mission;
b. To assign staff temporarily to a higher-level position that is vacant or temporarily vacant. For
temporary job openings expected to last for three months or longer, staff of the department/
office concerned must be informed of the temporary job opening so as to give staff members
the opportunity to express their interest in being considered. Departments/Offices are
encouraged to also circulate the temporary job opening widely across the Secretariat in order
to yield better results. Every effort must be made to limit temporary assignments to vacant
positions to the shortest possible period, during which time the position must be filled under
the procedures of this instruction.

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15.4 Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs
and Conference Services
The Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Management has
authority to transfer laterally language staff, including interpreters, translators, editors, verbatim
reporters, proofreaders and production editors, up to and including those at the P-5 level, who serve
in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.

15.5 Selection for P-2 and P-3 Positions
A one-time exceptional measure until 31 December 2012 will be allowed to make efforts to place in
P-3 posts (subject to geographic distribution), successful YPP (previously NCRE) candidates who were
on the roster as of 31 December 2009.

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Annex A:Sample of Assessment Exercises
Sample #1 - Written exercise
Please complete the following two exercises:

Exercise 1:
Summarize the report found below in your own words. The report should be reduced to approximately
one third of its original length; the summary should have between 400 and 500 words and should be
typed directly in an e-mail response. The summary should begin with the words: “The SecretaryGeneral, in his note to the General Assembly stated that….” and should end with: “In conclusion, two
options were provided…” Your response should not exceed 500 words.

Exercise 2:
The Regional Programme Centre (RPC) has been endorsed by the United Nations Programme
Commission (UNPC) and has been established this year with a limited budget. As a new office, RPC
will need to implement its new mandate/work programme. How do you see the mandate/work
programme and interaction of an administrative service within the RPC? As the responsible officer,
please formulate a mission statement for the Administrative Section of RPC. The response and mission
statement should not exceed one single-spaced, typewritten page.
Failure to meet the guidelines for the exercise will result in the loss of points.
Response Guide: responses will be rated on the following bases:
•

Clarity of thought and of presentation;

•

Capacity to exhibit, in concise writing, logical and sequential thinking;

•

Ability to articulate a position, conveying the maximum necessary information whilst making
and defending recommendations;

•

Proficiency in word processing.

Note by the Secretary-General related to Exercise 1
[Excerpt from the Note by the Secretary-General - A/53/327]

Introduction
1. For many years, the Secretariat has considered that, for purposes of placement and
promotion of staff whose appointment is subject to the system of desirable ranges, vacant
posts circulated through an internal vacancy announcement were “internal vacancies”
normally open to “internal candidates” only. “Internal candidates” were staff members who
had previously been recruited under the system of desirable ranges, through the mechanisms
established under the 100 series of the Staff Rules for appointments of one year or longer,
that is, by competitive examination or a review by the appointment and promotion bodies.
The system has been applied in a flexible manner, taking into account the legitimate career
aspirations of staff as well as the changing needs of the Organization. Thus, it has been
determined that external circulation of vacancies for posts at the P 5 level and above is in
the interest of the Organization as it broadens the pool of candidates with the necessary
qualifications at those levels and is a valuable tool in reaching the goal of gender equality.
2. As a result, candidates who have already gone through a rigorous screening process at the
time of initial recruitment and have satisfied the requirements of equitable geographical
distribution and gender balance can be reviewed and compared on their respective merits

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under a simplified selection process. This creates valuable career progression opportunities
for qualified internal candidates, on the clear understanding that if no internal candidate can
be identified who meets the technical and professional requirements of the vacant post in a
manner consistent with the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity under
Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, an external vacancy
announcement will be issued to invite all interested candidates to apply for the post.
3. The practice described above came into being after the General Assembly adopted the Staff
Regulations of the United Nations, specifically staff regulation 4.4, on 2 February 1952.3 It
is only subsequently that a formal distinction was made among various categories of staff who
would be governed by different series of the Staff Rules. This was the case for technical
cooperation experts, referred to as “project personnel”, for whom the 200 series of the Staff
Rules was issued in 1954.4 Similarly, the 300 series of the Staff Rules was issued originally
for short term appointees and was extended in 1994 to include appointments of limited
duration.5 Despite the absence of reference to “internal vacancies” or “internal candidates”
in the Staff Regulations themselves, it is noted that the General Assembly used the expression
“internal vacancies” in paragraph 27 of section III.B of its resolution 51/226 of 3 April 1997,
and in paragraph 2 of section V of its resolution 52/219 of 22 December 1997.
4. On 25 November 1997, the United Nations Administrative Tribunal rendered judgement No.
852, Balogun (1997) (AT/DEC/852), which was communicated to the Secretary General on 19
February 1998. In that judgement, the Tribunal ordered the Secretary General to allow the
applicant, who had been recruited under the 200 series of the Staff Rules governing project
personnel, “to submit his candidacy for any internal vacancies for which he is qualified and
for which he applies”. A summary of the judgement is provided in annex I to the present
report.
5. The reasoning used by the Tribunal goes far beyond the individual case it was considering.
The judgement repeatedly refers to persons recruited under the 200 series of the Staff Rules,
who could rely on the Tribunal's language to support the claim that they are eligible to apply
for internal vacancies intended for 100 series staff members. Moreover, the Tribunal's
reasoning is based on staff regulation 4.4, applicable to all staff who are “already in the
service of the United Nations”, an expression which the Tribunal interpreted to mean staff
“who are employed in the exclusive service of the Organization, who have taken an oath to
the Organization and whose Letters of Appointment oblige them to abide by the terms and
conditions of the Staff Regulations and Rules” (para. III of the judgement, reproduced in
annex I). This definition would include not only all 200 series project personnel, but also all
staff recruited under the 300 series of the Staff Rules on a short-term appointment or an
appointment of limited duration, as well as all staff recruited under the 100 series of the Staff
Rules outside the competitive examination system or without a review by the appointment
and promotion bodies, as is the case for mission staff serving at established missions and staff
appointed for less than one year.
6. As it now stands, the judgement makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the
Secretariat to comply with a number of General Assembly resolutions. Moreover, the system
envisaged by the Tribunal to carry out in practice its interpretation of staff regulation 4.4
would require a whole new layer in the placement and promotion process, as well as a radical
change in the role of the appointment and promotion bodies, which, in the Tribunal's view,
would have to assume substantive functions now exercised by programme managers. Overall,
the judgement would also have a serious impact on career development, especially for junior
staff. In view of these fundamental concerns, application of the judgement has been limited,
3. Resolution 590 (VI). The Staff Regulations, as adopted by the General Assembly, were promulgated in ST/AFS/SGB/
81/Rev.6 of 27 February 1952 and became effective as from 1 March 1952.
4.ST/AFS/SGB/94/Add.3 of 1 January 1954.
5.ST/SGB/Staff Rules/3/Rev.1.

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for the time being, to the individual applicant who had brought the case, pending
consideration of the issues involved by the General Assembly.
Issues related to the competitive examination system
7. The competitive examination system could be rendered meaningless if the judgement was
read to mean that any staff member holding a Letter of Appointment under the 200 series or
under any series of the Staff Rules could apply for P 2 and P 3 vacancies. This would be
inconsistent with several General Assembly resolutions, including paragraph 15 of section
III.B of resolution 51/226, which reaffirmed the policy that appointment to P 1 and P 2 posts
and to posts requiring special language competence shall be made exclusively through
competitive examinations and that appointment to posts at the P 3 level shall normally be
made through competitive examinations. This would also preclude full implementation of the
measures taken to implement paragraph 16 of the same resolution which requested that
special attention should be paid to the prospects of staff for promotion to the P 3 level.
8. In the judgement, the Tribunal remarked that 100 series appointments were, for posts above
the P 3 level, open to external candidates who have not passed any kind of competitive
examination (para. VII of the judgement, reproduced in annex I). This has been taken as an
acknowledgement of the established policy of the Organization that posts at the P 2 and,
normally, at the P 3 levels are filled by candidates who have passed a competitive
examination. Accordingly, the Secretariat has continued to apply the rules implementing
existing resolutions on the subject. Nevertheless, this interpretation remains subject to
challenge and could be invalidated by the Tribunal in the future unless the General Assembly
clarifies the matter.
Issues related to the General Assembly's requirement that a well-defined category of staff,
excluding 200 series project personnel, have one year of qualifying service before becoming
eligible to apply for internal vacancies
9. Paragraph 27 of section III.B of resolution 51/226 requires that persons serving in
peacekeeping or other field missions fulfil the condition of one year qualifying service before
becoming eligible to be considered for internal vacancies in the Secretariat.6 This provision
was clarified and amended by paragraph 2 of section V of resolution 52/219 in which the
Assembly decided:
“... that persons eligible to be considered for internal vacancies within the Secretariat after
twelve months of service, as provided for in paragraph 27 of section III.B of resolution 51/226,
shall be staff appointed in the Professional category and above under the 100 or 300 series of
the Staff Rules to serve against peacekeeping support account posts at Headquarters or in
peacekeeping or other field missions, and decides further that such eligibility shall be limited
to vacant posts at the P 4 level and above.”
The Secretariat is mindful of the fact that the above provision was drafted for the specific
purpose of omitting 200 series project personnel from its scope, thus not allowing them to
become eligible to apply for internal vacancies in the Secretariat after one year of service in
the field. Therefore, applying the Balogun judgement to 200 series project personnel, even
for posts at the P 4 level and above, would appear inconsistent with the letter and the intent
of the resolution. So would application of the judgement to staff members serving under the
100 and 300 series of the Staff Rules, including those identified in resolution 52/219, since
the judgement links eligibility to the fact that a person is a staff member, without requiring
any qualifying period of prior service.

6.Paragraph 27 of section III.B of resolution 51/226 requested the Secretary-General “to ensure that persons serving in
peacekeeping or other field missions become eligible for consideration for internal vacancies in the Secretariat after
having served for at least twelve months” (emphasis added).

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Issues related to the application of the system of desirable ranges
10. In paragraph 2 of section III.B of resolution 51/226, the General Assembly recognized the
system of desirable ranges as the mechanism for the recruitment of staff in posts subject to
geographical distribution, in accordance with Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the
United Nations. The importance given by the Tribunal to the fact that all staff members
already in the service of the Organization share the same legal obligations and should
therefore benefit from the same rights (para. III of the judgement, reproduced in annex I)
could seriously undermine the system of desirable ranges. Using the Tribunal's language,
nationals of over represented countries previously recruited outside the system of desirable
ranges - and therefore considered as “external” candidates - could object to the application
of the restrictions inherent in that system once they have been allowed to apply for a post,
because such considerations are not taken into account in respect of “internal” candidates
who, by definition, were previously recruited under the system of desirable ranges. This
could negate the strenuous efforts made over the years at the time of recruitment to ensure
equitable representation of all Member States. This would also run contrary to Action 18 of
the Secretary General's Programme for Reform, which aims at attaining significant progress
on geographical and gender representation, with an early goal of having all Member States
represented no later than 1999 (A/51/950, para. 233).
11. One way to ensure compliance with the desirable ranges in the long term would be to require
all international staff to be recruited under the desirable ranges system, which at present
applies only to 100 series staff appointed for a year or longer (unless the appointment is
limited to a particular mission, office or programme, or is financed by the peacekeeping
support account, as mandated by paragraph 13 of section III.B of resolution 51/226). This,
however, would unduly limit the present ability of the Organization to select experts for
service under the 200 series on the basis of individual expertise with respect to particular
development projects. Moreover, the system of desirable ranges is fairly rigid and time
consuming to administer and does not allow for the speed and flexibility required for mission
staff, who must in some cases be recruited on a few days' notice. Finally, use of that system
in recruiting temporary staff for periods of less than one year would be impracticable, as well
as misleading if such temporary staff were added to those recruited on a longer term basis
when comparing the actual geographical distribution of staff with the desirable ranges for
each Member State.
Issues related to the role and functions of the appointment and promotion bodies
12. In order to put into effect its interpretation of staff regulation 4.4, the Tribunal indicated
that the appointment and promotion bodies should be perfectly capable of considering all the
applicants generated by removing the restrictions inherent to the circulation of “internal
vacancies”. Those bodies would review the applications and determine the best qualified
candidate, after evaluating performance records and administering any test they would
consider appropriate (para. VI of the judgement, reproduced in annex I). Under such a
system, the appointment and promotion bodies would assume vastly expanded functions of a
very different nature than is the case at present. Instead of ensuring that candidates are
selected in accordance with all applicable standards and policies, rules and procedures, the
appointment and promotion bodies would become responsible for assessing the substantive
merits of the candidates through any means they consider appropriate, including the
administration of tests to the applicants. In other words, an advisory body, which may not
have the substantive technical knowledge required to assess candidates in a number of areas
and is not responsible or accountable for programme delivery, would be charged with a
substantive review of the candidates and would in effect select staff through whom
programme managers would have to deliver - or attempt to deliver - their respective
programmes. This new layer of review would not only add substantial delays but could lead
to the introduction of a mechanism parallel to the test and examination system administered
by the Office of Human Resources Management. All this would be completely at odds with the
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Secretary General's reform and his determination to move away from the situation where
delivery of mandated programmes is “hampered by excessive bureaucratic procedures and
rules, with responsibility for management of resources in the hands of administrators who
have no accountability for programme delivery”.7
Issues related to the distinction between career and non career staff
13. A broad application of the judgement would do away with one essential element of the
distinction which now exists between career and non career staff. As explained in a prior
report of the Secretary General, the evolution that has taken place over the years has blurred
the distinction previously made on the basis of the type of appointment (probationary,
permanent or indefinite on the one hand, all other appointments on the other).8 The only
remaining criterion is the series of the Staff Rules under which staff are appointed.9 Under
staff rule 200.1, project personnel are appointed under the 200 series for technical assistance
projects, which, by definition, are not part of the continuing essential functions of the
Organization calling for a core of career staff. Under staff rule 300.1, the 300 series is
applicable to staff members who are: (a) specifically engaged on short term appointments
for conference and other short term service for a period not exceeding six consecutive
months, or (b) specifically recruited on appointments of limited duration. The time
limitation, which is the essential characteristic of the 300 series, also by definition excludes
the possibility of a career within the Organization. Allowing 200 and 300 series staff to
compete on an equal footing with staff appointed under the established procedures of the
100 series for posts to be filled by a 100 series staff member would remove an essential
element of the existing distinction between career and non career staff and undermine the
concept of career service, which implies a finite population of staff already “in the system”
who can perfect their skills and acquire new ones by availing themselves of learning and
development opportunities, thus readying themselves for new assignments and new
challenges. All these matters raise fundamental questions of human resources policies, which
will be considered in the context of the Secretary General's report on human resources
management to be submitted to the fifty third session of the General Assembly.
Options for legislative action
14. Set out below are several options for legislative action which the General Assembly may wish
to consider:
15. The General Assembly could accept the Tribunal's interpretation of staff regulation 4.4 by
taking note of the judgement. This would make any staff member eligible to apply for any
vacancy, regardless of the series of the Staff Rules under which he or she was appointed,
regardless of the functions and length of prior service of the staff member (thus removing all
restrictions contained in paragraph 27 of section III.B of resolution 51/226, as amended and
clarified by resolution 52/219), and regardless of the requirements relating to competitive
examinations, gender equality or equitable geographical distribution.
Should the General Assembly decide to select this option, it could adopt a resolution in the
form set out under option A in annex II to the present report.
16. The General Assembly could decide to amend staff regulation 4.4 in order to maintain and
clarify policies of human resources management introduced and developed on the basis of
prior resolutions, which are aimed at ensuring compliance with the highest standards of
efficiency, competence and integrity, as well as the requirements of equitable geographical
distribution and gender equality and on the basis of which career progression is made
available to staff previously appointed under the 100 series of the Staff Rules for a year or
longer through the established mechanisms.
7.Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for Reform, A/51/950, para. 236.
8. Ratio between career and fixed-term appointments, A/C.5/51/34, of 22 November 1996, paras. 5-13.
9.See annex to document A/C.5/51/34, where the objectives followed by the Organization over the years on the question of career versus non-career appointments are set out.

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Should this option be selected, the General Assembly may wish to consider the suggested
amendment to staff regulation 4.4 set out under option B in annex II to the present report.

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Sample #2 - Written Exercises
Summarize the report found below in your own words. The report should be reduced to approximately
one third of its original length; the summary should have between 200 and 300 words and should be
presented in final format as a MS Word document, with paragraph numbers and footer.
Failure to meet the guidelines for the two exercises will result in the loss of points.
Response Guide: responses will be rated on the following bases
1. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively;
2. Proficiency in word processing.
Ecology and economics should push in the same direction. After all, the “eco” part of each word
derives from the Greek word for “home”, and the protagonist of both claim to have humanity's
welfare as their goal. Yet environmentalists and economists are often at loggerheads. For
economists, the world seems to be getting better. For many environmentalists, it seems to be getting
worse. These environmentalists have developed a sort of “litany” of three big environmental fears:
natural resources are running out; population is ever growing, leaving less and less to eat and the
planet's air and water are becoming ever more polluted. Human activity is thus defiling the earth,
and humanity may end up killing itself in the process. The trouble is the evidence does not back up
this litany. The early environmental movement worried that the mineral resources on which modern
industry depends would run out. Clearly, there must be some limit to the amount of fossil fuels and
metal ores that can be extracted from the earth; the planet, after all, has a finite mass. But that
limit is far greater than many environmentalists would have people believe. Reserves of natural
resources have to be located, a process that costs money. That, not natural scarcity is the main limit
on their availability. However, known reserves of all; fossil fuels, and of most commercially important
metals, are now larger than were believed to be. In the case of oil, for example, reserves that could
be extracted at reasonably competitive prices would keep the world economy running for about 150
years at present consumption rates. Add to that the fact that the price of solar energy has fallen by
half in every decade for the past 30 years, and appears likely to continue to do so into the future,
and energy shortages do not look like a serious threat either to the economy or to the environment.
The population explosion is also turning out to be a bugaboo. As far back as the end of the 18th
Century Thomas Malthus claimed that, if unchecked, human population would expand exponentially,
while food production could increase only linearly, by bringing new land into cultivation. He was
wrong, Population growth has turned out to have an internal check; as people grow richer and
healthier, and they have smaller families. Indeed, the growth rate of the human population reached
its peak, of more that 2% a year, in the early 1960s. The rate of increase has been declining ever
since. It is now 1.26%, and is expected to fall to 0.46% in 2050. The United Nations estimates that
most of the world's population growth will be over by 2100, with the population stabilising at just
below 11 billion. Granted, the threat of pollution is real, but exaggerated. Many analyses show that
air pollution diminishes when a society becomes rich enough to be able to afford to be concerned
about the environment. For London, the city for which the best data are available, air pollution
peaked around 1890. Today, the air is cleaner than it has been since 1585. There is good reason to
believe that this general picture holds true for all developed countries. And, although air pollution is
increasing in many developing countries, they are merely replicating the development of the
industrialized countries. When they grow sufficiently rich they, too, will start to reduce their air
pollution. All this contradicts the litany. Yet opinion polls suggest that many people, in the rich world,
at least, nurture the belief that environmental standards are declining. Scientific funding goes mainly
to areas with many problems. That may be wise policy, but it will also create an impression that many
more potential problems exist than is the case. The attitude of the media is also a factor in the
distortion. People are clearly more curious about bad news than good. Newspapers and broadcasters
are there to provide what the public wants. That, however, can lead to significant distortions of
perception. To replace the litany with facts is crucial if people want to make the best possible
decisions for the future.

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Sample #3 - Presentation
Please complete the following exercise in one hour and a half:
Choose from the following two subjects and prepare a PowerPoint presentation:
1. You are asked to make a recommendation about the proposed relocation of a programme's
head office from Sierra City to Tango Town. You are required to present your analysis, views
and recommendation on the relocation. You are expected to fully explain the reasoning and
answer questions by the assessors about your recommendation.
2. You are asked to establish a mechanism for registering gifts and benefits received by
individual staff members. Your presentation should contain a quick reference guide on the
Organizations policy in receiving gifts and benefits, a checklist for recipients of gifts and
benefits - as well as a property control and inventory system for all gifts handed over to the
General Services Section.
For both subjects, your target audience are all Directors of your duty station. Be sure that you would
feel comfortable answering supplementary questions about the presentation.
You have an hour to prepare your presentation and 10 to 15 minutes to deliver it.
Response Guide: responses will be rated on the following bases:
1. Capacity to present, in a concise manner, conveying key elements on the topic and issues of
interest;
2. Proficiency in presentation techniques;
3. Thinking logically and analytically.

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Exercises to Measure a Particular Set of Job Skills
Sample #4 - Exercise in numerical reasoning and accuracy
Human resources vacancies are defined as posts available for recruitment (either in circulation or
available for circulation in the legislative system) and established for one year or more. Below is an
overview of the staffing complement of the Department.
Please provide in no more than one page (single spaced) a trend analysis and quantitative assessment
of the vacancy rate situation in the Department.

Failure to meet the guidelines for the exercise will result in the loss of points.
Response Guide: responses will be rated on the following bases
1. Proficiency in data analysis;
2. Thinking logically and analytically;
3. Capacity to present, in a concise manner, conveying key elements on the topic and issues of
interest.

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Sample #5 - Knowledge (Project cycle management)
In your own words, describe the most important tasks of the project manager during the design stage.
Describe the work of the project manager's team during the design stage.
Think of a project that ended in success. List as many things as you can that were done right during
the design stage.

Sample #6 - Knowledge (Planning and Organising)
In business as in a civil service, if you have no goals, you are sure to lose. A common denominator of
all outstanding HR practitioners is their attention to the planning process, followed by constant
monitoring and adjustment as required.
Prepare a work plan that should encompass all the requisite goals for a benefits and entitlement
officer working in a medium size duty station. The work plan should include goals, timelines/
milestones and success criteria.
•

How do you manage your time and objectives?

•

How would or do you monitor the progress of a typical annual entitlement case (e.g.
education grant and education grant travel)?

Sample #7 - Simulation Exercise
Read the news bulletin found below. A typewritten, single-spaced document should be presented in
final format as a MS Word, with paragraph numbers, a header and footer. Failure to meet the
guidelines for the two items will result in the loss of points.
Please use the attached subway map for guidance. You are required to prepare two (2) items:
1. A briefing note for the Head of Office as Designated Security Official on the operational
actions which you, as Chief of Security, have initiated;
2. A broadcast message to all staff at your duty station which will be read out over the Public
Announcement System and posted on the intranet.
Response Guide: responses will be rated on the following bases:
1. Ability to work under pressure and analyse a complex situation;
2. Judgement;
3. Capacity to exhibit, in concise writing, a position
4. In-depth knowledge of security operational procedures;
5. Proficiency in word processing.
BREAKING NEWS: Scores die in bomb carnage
Powerful explosions have torn through three metro train stations during the morning rush hour, with
latest reports speaking of 173 people killed. Near simultaneous blasts hit Alfa station in the city
centre and two smaller stations - Bravo and Charlie (a short distance to the Universal Prayer Centre).
No group has admitted responsibility but the government blames Al-Queda for the attacks which
come ahead of today's United Nations conference on terrorism. “There is no doubt Al-Queda is
responsible,” said a civil servant at one of the subways stations. “Al-Queda had been looking for a
massacre,” the civil servant said. “Unfortunately, today it achieved its goal,” he told news reporters,
saying the security services were certain Al-Qaeda was behind the blasts.

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There was no warning ahead of the attacks. In total there were 10 blasts, said a senior terrorism
expert, and police had defused three other devices hidden in backpacks.
The three explosions at Alfa station happened at about 0845, destroying a train that was pulling into
the station. There were also four blasts in a street outside. “People started to scream and run, some
bumping into each other,” the civil servant who was on the platform, told the Associated Press. “I
saw people with blood pouring from them, people on the ground.”
A 28-year-old man, who was travelling on the train, told reporters that the carriage behind his had
been thrown up in the air. As people scrambled out, he tried to help the injured. “I held a girl as she
died in my arms,” he told reporters.
Alfa is a huge metro station on the same subway line leading to the location to the United Nations,
and Charlie station on another line, where there were similar scenes of destruction and chaos.
From the initial confusion, the scale of death and destruction has become ever more apparent. The
authorities say that, so far, 173 people are known to have died. At least 300 people have been injured
and the city's hospitals, swamped with casualties, have made an urgent appeal for blood donations.
More to follow, as updates come in.

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Annex B:Pre-Screening and Eligibility Assessment Flow Diagram
Pre-Screening

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Eligibility Criteria for All Applicants

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Eligibility Criteria for Serving Staff Member Holding an Appointment other than a Temporary Appointment

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Eligibility for a Non-Serving Staff Member or Serving Staff Member Holding a Temporary Appointment

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Annex C:The United Nations System

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Annex D: Licenses and Certificates
Below is a list of Licenses and Certificates that may be required for certain positions:

Abbreviation

Long Name

Short Name

ACA

Associate Chartered Accountant

ACCA

Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants

Assoc. Chart. Certif. Accountants

ACCTNG

Exam – Accounting Assistants

ASAT

Adm. Support Assessment Test

Chartered Accountant

CFE

Certified Fraud Examiner

CFM

Certified Financial Manager

CFP

Certified Financial Planner

CIA

Certified Internal Auditor

CMA

Certified Management Accountant

Certif. Management Accountant

CPA

Certified Public Accountant

CPPB

Certified Professional Public Buyer

Certif. Prof. Public Buyer

CPPO

Certified Public Purchasing Officer

Certif. Pub. Purchasing Off.

EDIT

UNExam – Edit/Dsktop Assistant

Exam – Edit/Dsktop Assistant

EDITOR

UNExam – Editors writers

INTRP

UNExam - Interpreters

LANGREF

Exam – LangRef Assist. (G-7)

PROOF

UNExam – proofreader/copy prep

SPSM

Senior Professional in Supply Management
Certification

Sr. Prof. Supply Mgmt Certif

SPSM 2

Senior Professional in Supply Management
Certification 2

Sr Prof. Supply Mgmt Certif 2

STAT

Exam – Statistical Assistants

TRANS

UNExam – translator/précis writr

VERB

UNExam – Verbatim reporters

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Annex E: Matrix for Pre-screening on Level
Matrix for Pre-Screening on Level
One
Level
Below
(applicant)

Same Level
(applicant)

Level of Job
Opening

One Level
Above
(applicant)

D-1, , L-6

D-2, , L-7

D-2

n/a

P-5, L-5

D-1, , L-6

D-1

D-2,

P-4, L-4, NO-D, FS7

P-5, L-5

P-5

D-1,

P-3, L-3, NO-C, FS6

FS-7, P-4, L-4, NOD

P-4

P-5

P-2, L-2, NO-B

FS-6, P-3, L-3, NOC

P-3

P-4, NO-D

P-1, L-1, NO-A

P-2, L-2, NO-B

P-2

P-3, NO-C

n/a

P-1, L-1, NO-A

P-1

P-2, NO-B

G-6, FS-4, S-5, TC6
G-5, FS-4, S-4, TC5, PIA III
G-4, FS-3, S-3, TC4, PIA II
G-3, FS-2, S-2, TC3, PIA I
G-2, FS-1, S-1,TC2,
G-1, FS-1,TC-1,

G-7, FS-5, S-6, S7, TC-7, TC-8
G-6, FS-4, S-5, TC6, LT
G-5, FS-4, S-4, TC5, PIA-III
G-4, FS-3, S-3, TC4, PIA II
FS-2, G-3, S-2, TC3, PIA -I
FS-1, G-2, S-1, TC2,

G-7

n/a

G-6

G-7, FS-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-7, TC-8
G-6, FS-4, S-5, TC6, LT
G-5, FS-4, S-4, TC5, PIA-III
G-4, FS-3, S-3, TC4, PIA II,
G-3, FS-2, S-2, TC3, PIA-I,

G-5
G-4
G-3
G-2

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Remarks

FS applying for P
who have
previously served
as GS or related,
are external
applicants
FS applying for P
who have
previously served
as GS or related,
are external
applicants
FS applying for P
who have
previously served
as GS or related,
are external
applicants
FS applying for P
who have
previously served
as GS or related,
are external
applicants
FS applying for P
who have
previously served
as GS or related,
are external
applicants

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

n/a

G-1, FS-1, TC-1

G-1

G-2, S-1, FS-1, TC2

FS-6, L-3, P-3,

FS-7, P-4, G-1, G2, G-3, G-4, G-5,
G-6, G-7, S-1, S-2,
S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6,
S-7, TC-1, TC-2,
TC-3, TC-4, TC-5,
TC-6, TC-7, TC-8,
PIA-I, PIA-II, PIA-III

FS-7

n/a

GS and related are
external applicants
when applying for
FS

FS-6, P-3, NO-C,
G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4,
G-5, G-6, G-7, S-1,
S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5,
S-6, S-7, TC-1, TC2, TC-3, TC-4, TC5, TC-6, TC-7, TC8, PIA-I, PIA-II,
PIA-III
FS-5, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6,
G-7, S-1, S-2, S-3,
S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-4, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6,
G-7, S-1, S-2, S-3,
S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-3, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6,
G-7, S-1, S-2, S-3,
S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-2, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6,
G-7, S-1, S-2, S-3,
S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III

FS-6

FS-7, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III

GS and related are
external applicants
when applying for
FS

FS-5

FS-6, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-5, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-4,G-1, G-2, G-3,
G-4, G-5, G-6, G-7,
S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4,
S-5, S-6, S-7, TC-1,
TC-2, TC-3, TC-4,
TC-5, TC-6, TC-7,
TC-8, PIA-I, PIA-II,
PIA-III
FS-3, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III

GS and related are
external applicants
when applying for
FS

G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4,
G-5, G-6, G-7, S-1,
S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5,
S-6, S-7, TC-1, TC2, TC-3, TC-4, TC5, TC-6, TC-7, TC8, PIA-I, PIA-II, PIAIII
FS-5, P-2, L-2, NOB, G-1, G-2, G-3,
G-4, G-5, G-6, G-7,
S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4,
S-5, S-6, S-7, TC-1,
TC-2, TC-3, TC-4,
TC-5, TC-6, TC-7,
TC-8, PIA-I, PIA-II,
PIA-III
FS-4, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-3, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-2, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III
FS-1, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III

FS-4

FS-3

FS-2

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FS

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n/a

FS-1, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6,
G-7, S-1, S-2, S-3,
S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III

FS-1

FS-2, G-1, G-2, G3, G-4, G-5, G-6, G7, S-1, S-2, S-3, S4, S-5, S-6, S-7,
TC-1, TC-2, TC-3,
TC-4, TC-5, TC-6,
TC-7, TC-8, PIA-I,
PIA-II, PIA-III

G-6, FS-4, S-5, TC6, LT
G-6, , S-5, TC-6,
FS-4, LT
S-4, TC-5, G-5, FS4, PIA III
S-3, G-4, TC-4, PIA
II, FS-3
S-2, G-3, TC-3,
PIAI, FS-2
S-1, G-23, FS-12,
TC-2
G-1, TC-1, FS-1

G-7, FS-5, S-6, S7, TC-7, TC-8
G-7, FS-5, S-6, S7, TC-7, TC-8
S-5, TC-6, G-6, FS4, LT
S-4, TC-5, G-5, FS4, PIA III
S-3, G-4, TC-4, PIA
II, FS-3
S-2, G-34, TC-3,
PIAI, FS-2
S-1 G-2, FS-1, TC2

S-7

n/a

S-6

S-5

S-6, S-7,TC-7, TC8, G-7, FS-5
S-5, TC-6, G-6. FS4, LT
S-4, G-5, TC-5, FS4, PIA III
S-3, G-4, TC-4, PIA
II, FS-3
S-2, G-3, TC-3, PIA
I, FS-2

TC-6, S-5, G-6, FS4
TC-6, S-5, G-6, FS4
TC-5, S-4, G-5, FS4, PIA III
TC-4, S-3, G-4, FS3, PIA II
TC-3, S-2, G-3, PIA
I, FS-2
TC-2, G-2, S-1, ,
FS-1
TC-1, G-1, FS-1

TC-7,TC-8, S-6, S7, G-7, FS-5
TC-7,TC-8, S-6, S7, G-7, FS-5
TC-6, S-5, G-6, FS4, LT
TC-5, S-4, G-5, FS4, PIA III
TC-4, S-3, G-4,
PIA-II, FS-3
TC-3, G-3, S-2, PIA
I, FS-2
TC-2, S-1, G-2, FS1
TC-1, G-1, FS-1

TC-8

PIA II, G-4, TC-4,
S-3, FS-3
PIA I, G-3, TC-3, S2, FS-2
G-2, TC-2, FS-1, S1

PIA III, G-5, S-4,
TC-5, FS-4
PIA II, G-4, S-3,
TC-4, FS-3
PIA I, TC-3, S-2, G3, FS-2

PIA III

NO-C, P-3, G-1, G2, G-3, G-4, G-5, G6, G-7
NO-B, P-2, G-1, G2, G-3, G-4, G-5, G6, G-7

NO-D, P-4

NO-D

n/a

NO-C, P-3

NO-C

NO-D, P-4

S-4
S-3
S-2
S-1

TC-7
TC-6
TC-5
TC-4
TC-3
TC-2
TC-1

PIA II
PIA I

TC-7, TC-8, S-7, S6, G-7, FS-5
TC-6, S-5, G-6, FS4, LT
TC-5, S-4, G-5, FS4, PIA III
TC-4, S-3, G-4, PIA
II, FS-3
TC-3, S-2, G-3, PIA
I, FS-2
TC-2, G-2, FS-1, S1
G-6, S-5, TC-6, FS4
PIA III, G-5, S-4,
TC-5, FS-4
PIA II, G-4, TC-4,
S-3, FS-3

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Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

NO-A, P-1, G-1, G2, G-3, G-4, G-5, G6, G-7
G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4,
G-5, G-6, G-7

NO-B, P-2

NO-B

NO-C, P-3

NO-A, P-1

NO-A

NO-B, P-2

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Annex F: Language Proficiency Description

Levels

Understanding

Speaking

Reading

Writing

Fluent

Can understand
extended speech and
follow even complex
lines of argument
provided the topic is
reasonably familiar. Can
understand most TV
news and current affairs
programmes.

Can interact with a
degree of fluency and
spontaneity that makes
regular interaction with
native speakers quite
possible. Can take an
active part in discussion
in familiar contexts,
accounting for and
sustaining own views.

Can read articles and
reports concerned with
contemporary problems
in which the writers
adopt particular
attitudes or viewpoints.
Can understand
contemporary literary
prose.

Can write detailed text
on a wide range of
subjects related to
personal interests. Can
write reports, giving
reasons in support of or
against a particular point
of view. Can write letters
conveying the personal
significance of events
and experiences.

Confident

Basic

Can understand the main Can deal with most
Can understand texts
Can write simple
points of clear standard frequent situations while that consist mainly of
connected text on topics
speech on familiar
travelling in an area
high frequency, everyday which are familiar or of
matters encountered in where the language is or job-related language. personal interest. Can
work, school, leisure,
spoken. Can enter
Can understand the
write personal letters
etc. Can understand the unprepared into
description of events, describing experiences
main point of many radio conversation on topics feelings and wishes in
and impressions.
or TV programmes on
that are familiar, of
personal letters.
current affairs or topics personal interest or
of professional interest pertinent to everyday
when the delivery is slow life (e.g. family,
and clear.
hobbies, work, travel
and current events).
Can understand phrases
and the highest
frequency vocabulary
related to areas of most
immediate personal
relevance (e.g. very
basic personal family
introduction, shopping,
local area and
employment).

Can communicate in
Can read very short,
Can write short, simple
simple and routine tasks simple texts. Can find notes and messages
requiring a simple and specific predictable
relating to matters in
direct exchange of
information in simple
areas of immediate
information on familiar everyday material
needs. Can write very
topics and activities. Can (advertisements,
simple personal letters
handle very short social brochures, etc.) and can (e.g. thanking someone
exchanges, with limited understand short simple for something).
vocabulary restricted to personal letters.
personal information and
topics of interest.

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Annex G: List of Links for Accreditation
Below are links to databases of accredited institutions.
Australia:
http://aei.gov.au/AEI/CEP/Australia/ListOfInstitutions/default.htm
Council for Higher Education (Mostly US):
http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp
UK:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees/
Europe (contains country links):
http://www.enic-naric.net/index.aspx?s=n&r=g&d=po
India:
http://www.naac.gov.in/
Netherlands:
http://www.nvao.net/
Switzerland:
http://www.sbf.admin.ch/htm/themen/uni_en.html
USA:
http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
Japan:
Most are State-run
China:
Most are State-run
Russia:
Many are State-run

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Annex H: List of Acronyms
A
ACABQ

Advisory Committee for Administrative and Budgetary Questions

AFP

Agency, Fund or Programme

AGG

Advisory Group on Gender

ASG

Assistant Secretary-General

ATS

Administration and Travel Section

B
BINUB

United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi

BONUCA

United Nations Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic

C
CAS

Chief Administrative Services

CBD

Convention on Biological Diversity

CBO

Chief Budget Officer

CCPO

Chief Civilian Personnel Officer

CDT

Conduct and Disciplinary Team

CEDAW

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

CISS

Chief Integrated Support Services

CITS

Communication and Information Technology Section

CIVPOL

United Nations Civilian Police

CLJAS

Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Section

CMP

Capital Master Plan

CMS

Chief of Mission Support

CNMC

Cameroon Nigeria Mixed Commission

CPA

Comprehensive Peace Agreement

CPIT

Civilian Pre-Induction Training

CRB

Central Review body

CTS

Chief Technical Services

D
DD

Disarmament and Demobilization

DDR

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

DDRR

Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration

DDSMS

Department for Development Support and Management Services

DESA

Department of Economic and Social Affairs

DFS

Department of Field Support

DGACM

Department for General Assembly and Conference Management

Department Head

Department of Management

DMS

Director of Mission Support

DOWA

Provincial Departments of Women’s Affairs

DPA

Department of Political Affairs

DPI

Department of Public Information

DPKO

Department of Peacekeeping Operations

DSG

Deputy Secretary-General

DSRSG

Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General

DSS

Department of Safety and Security

DTCD

Department of Technical Cooperation for Development

E
EAD

Electoral Affairs Division

Evaluation Criteria

ECA

Economic Commission for Africa

ECE

Economic Commission for Europe

ECLAC

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

ECOSOC

Economic and Social Council

Executive Office

EOD

Election of Duty / Entrance on Duty

EOSG

Executive Office of the Secretary-General

e-PAS

Electronic Performance Appraisal System

ESCAP

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

ESCWA

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

F
FAO

Food and Agricultural Organization

FBFD

Field Budget and Finance Division

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FCRB

Field Central Review bodies

Field Mission

FMSS

Financial Management and Support Service

FPD

Field Personnel Division

FPMS

Field Personnel Management System

FPOS

Field Personnel Operations Service

FPSSS

Field Personnel Specialist Support Service

Field Service

FSO

Field Service Officer

G
G

General

General Assembly

GJP

Generic Job Profile

General Service

GTA

General Temporary Assistance

GVA

Generic Vacancy Announcement

H
HOM

Head of Mission

HOD

Head of Department

Headquarters

Human Resources

HRCO

Human Resources Case Officer

HRM

Human Resources Management

HRM Scorecard

Human Resources Management Scorecard

HRO

Human Resources Officer

I
IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency

IBRD

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank)

Information Circular

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

ICJ

International Court of Justice

ICSC

International Civil Service Commission

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ICTR

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

ICTY

International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

IDA

International Development Association

IDPs

Internally Displaced Persons

IFAD

International Fund for Agricultural Development

IFC

International Finance Corporation

IGAD

Inter Governmental Authority on Development

IGO

Intergovernmental Organization

ILO

International Labour Organization

IMDIS

Integrated Monitoring and Documentation Information System

IMF

International Monetary Fund

IMIS

Integrated Management Information System

IMO

International Maritime Organization

INCB

International Narcotics Control Board

ITC

International Trade Center

ITS

Integrated Training Service

ITU

International Telecommunication Union

J
JD

Job Description

JIU

Joint Inspection Unit

JPO

Junior Professional Officer

L
LDSD

Learning, Development and Human Resources Services Division

LJSSD

Legal and Judicial System and Support Division

LOA

Letter of Appointment

Laissez Passer

LSD

Logistics Support Division

M
MILOBS

Military Observers

MINURCAT

United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad

MINURSO

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

MINUSTAH

United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

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MONUSCO
the Congo

United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of

MOWA

Ministry of Women’s Affairs

MSD

Medical Services Division

N
NCE

National Competitive Examination

NCRE

National Competitive Recruitment Examination

NGO

Non-Governmental Organization

NPO

National Professional Officer

O
OAH

Offices Away from Headquarters

OAJ

Office of Administration of Justice

OCHA

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OCSS

Office of Central Support Services

ODA

Office for Disarmament Affairs

ODCU

Organizational Design and Classification Unit

ODS

Official Document System

OGA

Office of Gender Affairs

OGM

Occupational Group Manager

OHCHR

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OHRM

Office of Human Resources Management

OIC

Officer in Charge

OICT

Office of Information and Communications Technology

OIOS

Office of Internal Oversight Services

OLA

Office of Legal Affairs

OMS

Office of Mission Support

ONB

Onboarding

ONUB

United Nations Operation in Burundi

Office of Operations

OPPBA

Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts

ORB

Occasional Recuperation Break

OSCE

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

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OSRSG

Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General

P
P

Professional

PAS

Performance Appraisal System

PBI

Programme Budget Implications

PBPS

Peacekeeping Best Practices Section

PBSO

Peacebuilding Support Office

PCO

Programme Case Officer

Procurement Division

PDSRSG

Political Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General

PFD

Peacekeeping Finance Division

PHP

Personal History Profile

Programme Manager

PMCA

Pre-Mandate Commitment Authority

PMSS

Personnel Management and Support Service

PPBD

Programme Planning and Budget Division

Procurement Service

PSC

Peace and Security Council

Q
QUIPS

Quick Impact Projects

R
RCU

Reference Checking Unit

ROS

Rostering

ROU

Recruitment and Outreach Unit

Rehabilitation and Reintegration

RRR

Relief, Recovery and Rehabilitation

S
SEA

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

SEL

Selection

Secretary-General

SGB

Secretary-General's Bulletin

S/M

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SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

SPA

Special Post Allowance

SPP

Succession Planning Panel

S.R.

Staff Rule

SRSG

Special Representative of the Secretary-General

ST/AI

United Nations Secretariat Administrative Instruction

T
TA

Travel Authorization

TAM

Technical Advisory Mission / Technical Assessment Mission

TCC/PCC

Troop Contributing Country and Police Contributing Country

TDY

Temporary Duty Assignment

TOR

Terms of Reference

Talent Management

TVA

Temporary Vacancy Announcement

U
UN

United Nations

UNAIDS

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNAMA

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

UNAMI

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq

UNAMID

African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur

UNAMSIL

United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

UNASAT

United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test

UNBISnet

United Nations Bibliographic Information System

UNCCD

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

UNCT

United Nations Country Team

UNCTAD

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNDOF

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNFICYP

United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

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UNFIP

United Nations Fund for International Partnerships

UNFPA

United Nations Population Fund

UNGTF

United Nations Gender Task Force

UN-Habitat

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

UNHCR

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHQ

United Nations Headquarters

UNIC

United Nations Information Centre

UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICRI

United Nations International Coral Reef Initiative

UNIDO

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

UNIFIL

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

UNIIIC

United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission

UNIOSIL

United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone

UNITAR

United Nations Institute for Training and Research

UNJSPF

United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund

UNLB

United Nations Logistics Base

UNLPE

United Nations Language Proficiency Examination

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service

UNMEE

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

UNMIK

United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

UNMIL

United Nations Mission in Liberia

UNMIN

United Nations Mission in Nepal

UNMIS

United Nations Mission in the Sudan

UNMISET

United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor

UNMIT

United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste

UNMOGIP

United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan

UNMOVIC

United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission

UNOCI

United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire

UNODC

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNOG

United Nations Office at Geneva

UNOGBIS

United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau

UN-OHRLLS

Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries,

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Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
UNOMIG

United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia

UNON

United Nations Office at Nairobi

UNOPS

United Nations Office for Project Services

UNOSEK

United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Kosovo

UNOTIL

United Nations Office in Timor-Leste

UNOV

United Nations Office at Vienna

UNOWA

United Nations Office for West Africa

UNPOS

United Nations Political Office for Somalia

UNRECCE

United Nations Regional Centre for Corruption Eradication

UNRWA

United Nations Relief and Works Agency

UNSCO

Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process

UNSCR 1325

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and
Security

UNTAET

United Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor

UNTOP

United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding

UNTSO

United Nations Truce Supervision Organization

UNU

United Nations University

UNV

United Nations Volunteer

UN Women

United Nations Women

UPU

Universal Postal Union

USG

Under-Secretary-General

V
VA

Vacancy Announcement

VAW

Violence Against Women

VINE

Voluntary Initiative for Network Exchange

W
WAFF

Women Associated with Fighting Forces

WFP

World Food Programme

WHO

World Health Organization

WIPO

World Intellectual Property Organization

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WMO

World Meteorological Organization

WTO

World Trade Organization

X-Y-Z
YPP

Young Professionals Programme

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Annex I: Glossary
Anticipated Job Openings
An anticipated job openings is a job opening relating to positions expected to become available as
identified through forecasting, for example due to the retirement of the incumbent within six-tonine months or for meeting future requirements.
Assessment
The substantive process of evaluating applicants to determine whether they meet the requirements
of the position under recruitment.
Assessment Methodology
A test or an examination which could be a written exercise, a case study, a presentation or another
exercise to measure a particular set of job skills commensurate with the evaluation criteria. The
outcome serves as the source of evidence of what an applicant can do in a simulated work
environment, how he/she thinks and acts, what qualities and characteristics an applicant possesses
and what he/she knows and has done, and leads to a determination of whether the person fully or
partially meets the requirements.
Assessment Panel
A panel normally comprised of at least three staff members, with two being subject matter experts
at the same or higher level of the job opening, at least one being female and one being from outside
the work unit where the job opening is located, who will undertake the assessment of applicants for
a job opening. For D-2 level job openings, the panel should normally be comprised of a minumum of
three staff members, with at least one being from outside the department, and at least one female.
An expert panel, similar in constitution to an assessment panel may assist in undertaking the
assessment of applicants for generic job openings. Hereinafter, the term assessment panel will also
refer to expert panel, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Candidate
A candidate is an individual being considered (short-listed) for a position or already placed on a roster
(roster candidate). A candidate has already progressed through the stages of being an "applicant” and
"pre-screened applicant” i.e. has successfully passed the pre-screening and assessment process.
Central Review bodies (CRB)
The Central Review bodies are joint bodies established by ST/SGB/2011/xx pursuant to staff rule
4.15 to review the process for compliane with the pre-approved selection criteria and to review and
provide advice on recommendations for selections of all staff up to and including the D-1 level,
except for advice on appointment of candidates having successfully passed a competitive
examination in accordance with staff rule 4.16.
Competencies
Competencies are a combination of skills, attributes and behaviours that are directly related to the
successful performance on the job. The competencies held important by the Organization include
Core Competencies (Communication, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing, Accountability, Client
Orientation, Creativity, Technological Awareness and Commitment to Continuous Learning) and
Managerial Competencies (Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Managing Performance, Building

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

Trust and Judgment/Decision Making). In addition to its competencies, the Organization has also
articulated a set of core values which are Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity.
Competency-based Interview
A structured interview aimed at ascertaining the candidate’s qualities or capabilities on job-related
dimensions of behaviour (competencies), as stipulated in the evaluation criteria.
Documented Record
A documented record is a record consisting of written, printed or electronic material that provides
information or evidence.
Duty Station
A duty station is the geographical location (normally a town or city) where the Organization maintains
an office. The location drives the scale of employment salary and benefits, among other aspects.
Organizational units and related positions are located in a duty station. For consultancy assignments,
all duty stations covered by the Terms of Reference should be listed.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria are standards that define an individual’s employability with the Organization and/
or an applicant’s prerogative to be considered for a job opening. Eligibility criteria are policy driven.
Evaluation Criteria (EC)
Evaluation criteria are criteria used for the evaluation of applicants for a particular position.
Evaluation criteria must be objective and related to the functions of the position as reflected in the
generic job profile or the individually classified job description and must include the key
competencies that will be assessed.
Ex Officio
The ex officio participates in meetings in an advisory role as a non-voting member.
Expert panel
See Assessment Panel
External Applicant
An external applicant is an individual who at the time of his/her application is not employed by the
United Nations Secretariat or who has not been recruited under Staff Rules 4.15 (following the review
by a Central Review body) and 4.16 (through a competitive recruitment examination). A staff
member whose appointment is limited to service in a particular department or office is also
considered an external applicant as well as associate experts, consultants, individual contractors,
interns and gratis personnel staff from other organizations of the United Nations System.
Field Missions (family and non-family)
A field mission is an office established by the Organization in a field duty station/location that
supports peacekeeping operations. Such a mission may be designated as a family mission or as a nonfamily mission. The status of a field mission drives the salary and entitlements remuneration
package.

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

General Service and related categories
Staff members in the General Service (GS) and related categories (Trade and Crafts, Security Service,
Public Information Assistants, Language Teachers) perform support functions. Such staff members
are normally recruited on a local basis in the country of the office, irrespective of their nationality
and the length of time they may have been in the country. The allowances and benefits are adapted
to local conditions at the various duty stations.
Generic Job Opening (GJO)
Job openings which are based on generic job profiles, used for the purpose of creating and
maintaining viable rosters of qualified and available candidates for immediate and anticipated job
openings in entities with approval to use roster-based recruitment.
Generic Job Profile (GJP)
A generic job profile is a classified standard job description that encompasses a large group of related
jobs with similar characteristics in terms of duties and responsibilities, education, work experience,
technical skills and essential core competencies.
Geographic Status
The status given to staff in the Professional and higher categories on initial appointment for one year
or longer against a post subject to “equitable geographical distribution” and to the application of the
system of desirable ranges, namely, a regular budget post in the Secretariat (except language posts
up to and including P-5). All successful candidates in a competitive examination as defined in staff
rules 4.16, except the language examinations, also receive “geographic status”. Once geographic
status has been given, it is retained throughout the period of continous service of the staff member
on a post subject to equitable geographical distribution. Staff members other than those who are
successful candidates in a competitive examination as defined in staff rules 4.16 shall lose the
geographical status if subsequently appointed to positions which are not subject to geographic
distribution.
Head of Department/Office
An official appointed by the Secretary-General to lead a department, office, Regional Commission or
other major organizational unit of the Secretariat who is directly accountable to the SecretaryGeneral in the exercise of the functions set out in section 5 of ST/SGB/1997/5 (as amended by ST/
SGB/2002/11).
Hiring Manager (HM)
The Hiring Manager, also known as Programme Case Officer (PCO), is the official within a
department/office who is responsible for the filling of a vacant position and who is accountable to
his/her head of department/office to ensure the delivery of mandated activities by effectively and
efficiently managing staff and resources placed under his or her supervision and for discharging the
other functions listed in section 6 of ST/SGB/1997/5 (as amended by ST/SGB/2002/11)
Human Resources Management (HRM) Scorecard
The Human Resources Management (HRM) Scorecard is a compact between the heads of department/
office and the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management. The tool monitors the
annual performance of individual departments and offices against the Organization’s legislative
mandates, human resources management reform goals and expected workforce trends.

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

Immediate Job Openings
Job openings relating to positions that have become available unexpectedly, such as, upon separation
from service in cases other than retirement, the selection of the incumbent for other functions or the
creation of new positions.
Internal Applicants
An internal applicant is a staff member serving in the United Nations Secretariat holding an
appointment other than a temporary appointment under the UN Staff Regulations and Rules, who
have been recruited after a competitive process under staff rule 4.15 (review by a Central Review
body) or staff rule 4.16 (competitive recruitment examination) and whose appointment is not limited
to service with a specific entity. Associate experts (Junior Professional Officers) and staff members
of the separately administered United Nations funds and programmes are not considered internal
applicants except as provided for in this definition. Women who have been in service for a continuous
period of 12 months with the separately administered United Nations funds and programmes or any
specialized agency or organizations of the United Nations common system and whose appointments
have been reviewed by a review body pursuant to staff rules 4.15, are considered internal applicants
when:
i.holding an appointment at the P-3 or P-4 level and applying for P-4 positions;
ii. holding an appointment at the P-4 or P-5 level and appying for P-5 positions.
Job Alert
The job alert is a feature to which an applicant may subscribe. By doing so, the applicant will
automatically receive an e-mail notification whenever a new job opening is posted that is in line with
the criteria he/she has specified.
Job Family
A more specific occupational area within a job field. In a job family, the same or relatively similar
work is performed, a similar skill set is required, and it is possible to move within the family with
minimal training. For example, Purchasing is a family within the Finance field.
Job Networks
A job networks id a grouping of departments/offices with closely linked mandates or programmes and
a common interest in collaborating in areas such as human resources planning. staff development and
mobility.
Job Opening
A vacancy announcement issued for one particular position or for multiple positions.
Job Title
Job Title refers to the Functional Title. The job title is an attribute of a position that corresponds to
the functions of the job. Functional titles should stem from a pre-determined list rather than free
text.
Knowledge-based Test
A test that aims at determining an applicant’s knowledge of the subject matter in a simulated work
environment, as stipulated in the job opening and in the evaluation criteria.

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

Language Competitive Examination
The examinations test your ability to express yourself clearly and intelligently in your main language,
using proper grammar and appropriate style. You are given a chance to prove that you have in-depth
knowledge of at least two other official United Nations languages and demonstrate not only your
grasp of grammatical structure and an extensive vocabulary, but also your familiarity with cultural
and sociolinguistic context. You should be well informed about social, political and economic issues
around the globe, and have at least some knowledge in such areas as human rights, peace and
security, economics, social development, humanitarian affairs, or international law.
Language Post
Language posts are subject to the provisions of the ST/AI/2000/1 and amended by ST/AI/2003/1,
setting out special conditions for recruitment or placement of candidates successful in a competitive
examination for posts requiring special language skills.
Language Proficiency
Language proficiency refers to an adequate and demonstrated knowledge in one of the official
languages of the Organization. It is normally established by means of a “language proficiency
certificate” awarded by the Organization based on successfully passing the United Nations Language
Proficiency Examination (UNLPE) in that language.
Language Proficiency Examination (LPE)
The Language Proficiency Examination (LPE) is used to test the written and spoken knowledge of staff
membets in one of the six official languages of the United Nations: Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish. The LPE consists of a written part and an oral part, which are to be taken at the
same session (i.e. the same year).
Lateral move
The movement of a staff member to a different position at the same level for the duration of at least
one year. The new position may be in the same or a different department or office, in the same or a
different duty station and in the same or a different job family. Inter-agency loans or other
movements to and from other organizations of the United Nations common system are recognized as
“lateral moves”. There will be a lateral move when a staff member assumes a new position at the
same level in another department or office, in another duty station, in another job family or in
another organization of the United Nations common system. Within the same department or office,
when the supervisor remains the same, there will be a lateral move only if the responsibilities are
substantially different, for example, if there is a different area of responsibilities or a change in the
departments/offices serviced by the staff member. A change in supervisor without a change in
functions does not represent a lateral move. Temporary assignments of at least three months but less
than one year, with or without special post allowance, shall also qualify as a lateral move when the
cumulative duration of such assignments reaches one year.
Location
Duty station (normally a town or city) where the Organization maintains an office.
Mission
A United Nations peacekeeping operation or special political mission in the field.

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National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE)
The National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE), also known as National Competitive
Examination (NCRE), is an examination for entry-level Professional posts under Staff Rule 4.16. This
term often refers to the successful candidates themselves (NCRE applicant or NCRE candidate).
Occupational Groups
See Job Family.
Occupational Group Manager
An official within the Department of Field Support responsible for managing the supply of available
candidates with the necessary qualifications and expertise to meet the staffing requirements
identified through workforce planning for a specific job family or families in peacekeeping operations
and special political missions.
Occupational Network (Job Network)
Occupational Network (Job Network) are networks among departments whose mandates are closely
linked, that have a common interest in building on the natural affinity between functions, an in
collaborating in exchanging staff members that would, in turn broaden their skills, experience and
competencies. Occupational networks are intended to break down departmental ’silos’ and
encourage multidisciplinary approaches.
Position
Position refers to an established post or any other job regardless of the source of funding (including
general temporary assistance) which has been approved by the General Assembly for at least on year
and which has been duly classified.
Position-specific Job Opening
A job opening used for the filling of a particular position at a specific duty station.
Pre-Screened Applicant
An applicant who has met the eligibility criteria set out in the job opening and who has passed the
pre-screening stage. He/She has entered the substantive evaluation phase. It refers to an
applicant’s status which follows “applicant” and precedes “candidate.”
Recruiter
Recruiter refers to the (Senior) Human Resources Case Officer (HRCO). The HRCO/Recruiter is
empowered and held responsible as the recruitment and classification focal point. He/She provides
advice to all parties concerned and ensures compliance with the applicable procedures; transmits to
the Hiring Manager eligible applicants, including roster candidates; reviews all proposed selections
and after selection by the Department Head, informs selected candidates of the selection decision;
places candidates endorsed by the Central Review bodies who were not selected on the appropriate
roster. Where necessary, the Recruiter requests designation/certification in line with the provision
of ST/SGB/2005/7.
Roster
The roster is a pool of candidates who have been endorsed by a Central Review body for a particular
job opening but not selected for it, and who have indicated an interest in being considered for

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

selection for a future job opening with similar functions at the same level. Roster candidates may be
selected without referral to a Central Review body.
Selection decision
The decision by a head of department/office to select a preferred candidate for a particular position
up to and including the D-1 level from a list of qualified candidates which had been endorsed by a
Central Review body. When making the selection decision, the Head of Department/Office shall
take into account the Organization’s human resources objectives and targets as reflected in the
departmental HRM Scorecard, especially with regard to geography and gender. The Head of
Department shall also give the fullest regard to candidates already in the service of the Organization
as well as those encumbering posts that are slated for abolition or are serving in secretariat entities
undergoing downsizing and/or liquidation. Selection decisions for positions at the D-2 level are made
by the Secretary-General following review by the Senior Review Group.
Skills
Skills refer to the capacity to carry out job functions i.e. through United Nations Secretariat training,
certifications, membership in professional organizations, language skills, etc.
Status Matrix
The status matrix reflects the mandatory and/or organizational imperatives and desirable values elements which are tied to the HRM Scorecard.
Substantive Assessment
Substantive assessment encompasses determination of an applicant’s competence through
knowledge-based tests, competency-based interview, and other assessment methodologies related
to the functions of a position.
Temporary Promotion
A temporary promotion to the level of the position and for the duration of the assignment may be
granted to a staff member holding a permanent, continuing, probationary or fixed-term appointment
(with no appointment limination) assigned from a headquarters location, including Regional
Commissions, to a position one level higher than his/her current grade in a peacekeeping operation
or special political mission, where a lien is maintained against a position at the parent duty station.
A staff member temporarily promoted may apply during his/her assignment in a peacekeeping
operation or special political mission to job openings one level higher than his/her temporary grade
level, provided that he/she has spent mote than 12 months continously in the peacekeeping operation
or special political mission.
At the end of his/her assignment in the peacekeeping operation or special political mission, the staff
member will revert to his/her original level at the former duty station and may henceforth only apply
to job openings one level above his/her original level. The same provisions also apply to a staff
member appointed to a peacekeeping mission or special political mission (with no appointment
limitation) who is selected for an assignment to a position one level higher than their current grade
at a headquarters location or Regional Commission.
A temporary promotion may also be granted to successful G to P candidates who are willing to assume
positions directly financed by project funds or other extrabudgetary resources established at the P1 or P-2 level for one year or longer. In the event that the position continues to be funded beyond
two years, the G-to-P appointee will be given the opportunity to confirm his/her willingness to
relinguish his/her General Service position.

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Temporarily Vacant Position
A position blocked for a specific period of time for the return of a staff member on temporary
assignment, mission assignment, special leave, secondment, or loan.
United Nations System
The United Nations is made up of six principle organs, a series of affiliated bodies and programmes,
and specialized agencies and independent institutions. The principal organs are the General
Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the
International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
United Nations Common System
The term common system is shorthand for the United Nations common system of salaries, allowances
and other conditions of service. Its origin can be traced to the relationship agreements concluded
between the United Nations and the specialized agencies. While the wording of these agreements
varies, most of them carry language to the effect that it is agreed to develop common personnel
standards, methods and arrangements designed to avoid serious discrepancies in terms and conditions
of employment, to avoid competition in recruitment of personnel and to facilitate the interchange
of personnel. The United Nations system was intended to prevent competition among the
organizations in staff recruitment and to facilitate exchange of staff. Other rationales for a common
system include:
•

Efficiency/economy of scale: central maintenance of salary scales and allowance
schedules means far fewer resources have to be deployed for these purposes in each
organization;

•

Equity/fairness: morale can be jeopardized when staff working side by side have
different conditions of service -- a uniform approach lessens such dissatisfaction;

•

Cost-efficiency/control: for the Member States, a common set of employment conditions
permits an overview of staff costs.

•

The World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund - although specialized
agencies of the United Nations - are not part of the common system.

•

Who is part of the United Nations Common System?http://icsc.un.org/about4.asp

Vacant position
A position approved for one year or longer that is not blocked for the return of a staff member on
temporary assignment, mission assignment, special leave, secondment or loan.
Young Professionals Programme (YPP)
The Young Professionals Programme is geared towards entry level recruitment as outlined in the
Report of the Secretary-General (Overview of Human Resources Management-reform: United Nations
Young Professionals Programme) A/65/305/Add.4.

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Annex J:Index
A
Anticipated Job Openings 179
appointment at 161, 162, 163, 164
Assessment 179
assessment 161
Assessment Methodology 179
assessment of 161
Assessment Panel 179
assessment panel 161

C
Candidate 179
Central Review bodies 179
communication 161
Competencies 179
Competency-based interview 180
convoked for assessment 161

D
D-1 161
D-2 161
D-2 level

E
Eligibility Criteria 180
eligibility criteria 161
Evaluation Criteria 180
evaluation criteria 161
Ex Officio 180
Expert panel 180
external 161
External Applicant 180

F
Field Missions 180
found suitable 161
FS-6 161, 162
FS-7 161, 162

G
General Service 23
General Service and related categories
181
years of experience 27
Generic Job Opening 181
Generic Job Profile 181
Geographic Status 181
geographic status 161
GS 161, 162, 163
G-to-P examinations in 161, 162, 163, 164

H
Head of Department/Office 181
Hiring Manager 181
Human Resources Management (HRM)
Scorecard 181

Years of Work Experience

Documented record 180
Duty Station 180

funded by project funds 23
funded by voluntary contributions 23

Immediate Job Openings 182
internal 161
Internal Applicants 182
internal applicants 161, 162, 163

J
Job Alert 182
job alert 161
Job Family 182
Job Opening 182
Job Title 182

K
Knowledge-based Test 182
knowledge-based test 161

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

position funded through the regular budget 23
Position-specific Job Opening 184
pre-screened 161
Pre-Screened Applicant 184
professional woman at 161, 162, 163, 164

Language Post 183
Language Proficiency 183
Language Proficiency Examination 183
Lateral move 183
lateral move 38
lateral reassignment 125
Location 183

M
Mission 183
mix of new and rostered 161

N
National Competitive Examination 161
National Competitive Recruitment Examination 184
National Professional Officer 24
years of experience 27
new 161
not qualified 161
notify 161

O
Occupational Group Manager 184
Occupational Groups 184
Occupational Network 184

P
P-1 161, 164
P-2 161, 162, 163, 164
P-2 level
Years of Work Experience

Recruiter 184
regular budget funded position 23
requirement for lateral moves 37
Roster 184
rostered 161
rostered at 161

S
S 161, 162, 163
Security Question Setup 12
selected 161
Selection decision 185
selection of rostered 161
Skills 185
special political mission 23
spouse 161
stages of being an 161
Status Matrix 185
status matrix 161
status of 161
Substantive Assessment 185
substantive assessment 161

P-3 161, 162, 163, 164
P-4 161, 162, 163
P-4 level 37
P-5 161
P-5 level 37
peacekeeping operation 23
peacekeeping support account position
23
personal level 161
Position 184
0207

TC 161, 162, 163
Temporarily Vacant Position 186
Temporary Promotion 185

U
Under Secretary-General 161
Under-Secretary-General for Field Support
authority to 125
United Nations Common System 186

188 of 189

Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System (inspira)

United Nations System 186

V
Vacant position 186
Voluntary Initiative for Network Exchange
125

W
woman at 161, 162, 163, 164

Y
Years of Work Experience
D-2 level 26
P-2 level 26
P-3 level 26
Young Professionalss Programme (YPP)
186

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Subject                         : Manual for the Applicant on the Staff Selection System - inspira (Release 2.2) April 2012
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The Applicant’s Manual

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