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UN JOBS: Glamour or Myth
anasazi
#11 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:44:52 AM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 6/8/2007
Posts: 675
@masukuma, that staff adjustment, where does it go to? to kenya govt, to UN, or to?
Form is temporary, class is permanent
masukuma
#12 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 10:58:14 AM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 10/4/2006
Posts: 13,823
Location: Nairobi
It goes to the UN, I think it represents a certain fraction of what Kenya should chip into the UN. But i am not sure.
Staff assessment is a form of internal tax administered by the organizations. Staff assessment rates are derived from income tax rates applicable at the seven headquarters cities of the organizations in the common system (Geneva, London, Montreal, New York, Paris, Rome, and Vienna).
All Mushrooms are edible! Some Mushroom are only edible ONCE!
Euge
#13 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 11:00:35 AM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 2,849
Location: Rupi
There isn't as much glamour as people out there think. The working culture isn't good. You dont learn a thing. I hear some employers wont even hire you if you have only worked for the UN. Money is big if you are working as an international.
Lord, thank you!
luttz
#14 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 1:21:16 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 3/18/2008
Posts: 377
@ Redondo

It all depends on what your sister wants, her career progression etc. It also depends on whether she wants to work with UN as local staff in Nairobi or as an international staff member in other UN secretariats or in the field. All in all, the UN pays fairly well but again like in every other job- the pay is equitable to many other factors. Working in the field pays well depending on which station- the riskier it is the more juicer it gets. I know of colleagues who sacrificed to work for UN in Baghdad when nobody else wanted to hear the name Baghdad being mentioned- yes they risked their life and yes they made good money- upto $14k in one month. All in all it depends on where one wants to go career-wise. And says that jobs at UN are easy to come by? Kenya's quota in the UN is strained- its basically full- getting a slot as International is an uphill task. This are my personal views
"You've never lived until you've almost died; for those who have fought for it, life has a flavour the protected will never know."
Rahatupu
#15 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 2:23:17 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 1,982
Location: matano manne
Redodo,

I've been with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) for a yr now as a field expert in security sector reform for a country recovering from war (can't wait to come back home b4 xmas). I've made Several observations:

1. there no room for creaticity or innovation all rules are set to be followed and reports are preset in templates. you work like a robot.
2. Field work salary is big compared to office stations.
3. Mobility in the system is limited and dominated by jingoism which makes the work suck.
4. If you are not seconded by a gov't agency like myself, getting the job can be tricky with unproven allegations of "kitu kidogo".

Like Masukuma put it once your stuck there you ain't going nowhere. Unless you're in the security dept going to war zones just for the money.
luttz
#16 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 2:41:27 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 3/18/2008
Posts: 377
@ Rahatupu!

Inbox me on luttah@yahoo.com, am also on my way home this weekend
"You've never lived until you've almost died; for those who have fought for it, life has a flavour the protected will never know."
redondo
#17 Posted : Wednesday, December 09, 2009 4:06:03 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/2/2009
Posts: 161
Location: nairobi
thanks good people. it appears there is more to these UN jobs than meets the eye. your feedback has been very informative. it sounds though that the last has not been written on this thread. keep them (your posts)coming
bnti
#18 Posted : Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:09:41 AM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 12/9/2009
Posts: 5
Location: nairobi
Enyewe im also one of those who thought that Un jobs were glamorous (before reading these posts) but im quite surprised, especially after seeing the link given by masukuma,those salaries.... ehhh
JeanLucPiccard
#19 Posted : Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:57:50 AM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 12/9/2009
Posts: 23
Location: Nairobi
And here I was thinking if I landed those jobs.. Hey, are these terms similar to USAID, Canadian High Commission et al? Do you still pay that 19% tax of sorts?
Wendz
#20 Posted : Wednesday, December 16, 2009 6:53:54 AM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 6/19/2008
Posts: 4,268
I dont work for the UN but something similar. As majority have said if you are local,

1. career progression is a dream - may be a vision2060

2. True, initially, the pay is higher than in private sector, but it is harder to progress unlike the private sector.... so with time, someone who started lower and having worked for similar period of time will earn higher than you..... And generally, they are more generous with packages outside the salary unlike the private sector.

3. Bureaucracy, bureaucracy, bureaucracy, rules, rules, rules and policies, policies, polices....damn!!!!

4. you get reprimanded for creativity and initiative - i once got a final warning letter(even before an oral warning!!) for taking some initiative(and actually risking my life) after having reported the matter and offered to have the cost deducted from my salary for not having authorisation before doing it! (it wasnt put in my file so it was some sort of intimidation!)

5. I had not heard of that 19% deduction before this post.... so i bet it depends on where you working...

If you have a chance to progress career wise, look for something in the private sector.
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