Review of the use of non-staff personnel and related contractual modalities in the United Nations system organizations - JIU/REP/2023/8

The Joint Inspection Unit is pleased to announce the release of its report on the use of non-staff personnel and related contractual modalities in the United Nations system organizations, prepared by Inspectors Seyoum and Goitsemang. This topic was last covered by JIU in 2014.

While many of the United Nations system organizations have developed policies and contractual modalities to guide them in the use of non-staff personnel, the review highlights the absence of a common system-wide nomenclature for and definition of non-staff personnel. Furthermore, the employment relationship principle is not fully observed as a criterion for determining staff and non-staff contractual modalities, often resulting in the misuse of non-staff personnel.

The review also found that non-staff personnel constitute a significant portion of the United Nations system's workforce, driven by needs for flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and unpredictable funding. While the reasons are valid, the Inspectors are of the view that such solutions should not be used as justification for unfair labour practices and misuse of non-staff personnel. It is critical to strike a balance between flexibility and cost-effectiveness, on the one hand, and the well-being of non-staff personnel, on the other hand. The necessity for the United Nations system, as a rule-based global body, to uphold the ethos of good labour practices cannot be overemphasized.

Moreover, the rise in the use of non-staff personnel in some organizations has significant ramifications for both the organizations and the non-staff personnel. Short-term contracts and job insecurity have given rise to high turnover and the lack of a stable and motivated workforce, a situation that may have a negative impact on organizational performance and sustainability.

The review makes 7 formal recommendations and 15 complementary informal recommendations aimed at improving the overall use of non-staff personnel in the United Nations system organizations. The findings of this review would ensure proper use of non-staff personnel and guide ongoing and future workforce-related initiatives.

Access the full report here

Access the review highlights and the appendix: Results of the survey to non-staff personnel here