“The academic and administrative staff of the University shall be selected with a view to achieving its stated objectives. The basic criteria for selection shall be the highest standard of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to appropriate representation in terms of geography, social systems, cultural traditions, age and sex.” (Charter of the United Nations University, article VIII, paragraph 1)
An individual may be employed by UNU under one of three basic types of contracts: a fixed-term (staff) appointment, a Personnel Service Agreement, or a consultant/individual contractor contract.
The terms and conditions of service of staff members employed by the United Nations University are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the UNU Personnel Policy. Staff member positions include academic and administrative appointments in the Professional (P), National Officer (NO) and General Services (GS) job categories.
All staff member positions are fixed-term appointments. A fixed-term appointment does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal or conversion, irrespective of the length of service.
For academic staff, initial appointment shall normally be for a fixed term of one year, with the possibility of renewal for an additional fixed term of two years, not to exceed a combined total appointment of six years.
For administrative staff, initial appointment shall normally be for a fixed term of one year, with the possibility of renewal on a rolling, fixed-term basis, subject to UNU requirements and excellent performance.
The terms and conditions of service of personnel engaged under a PSA are not governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, but only by the UNU Personnel Policy.
Personnel engaged under a PSA may be involved in either academic or administrative work. Initial appointment shall normally be for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal on a rolling, fixed-term basis; however, the combined total appointment shall not exceed six years.
The terms and conditions of service for individuals engaged as a consultant shall be directly linked to work assignment as set out in the contract. A consultant may accumulate no more than 24 months of accrued service within a consecutive thirty-six month period.