Compensation and Perks of United Nations Officials

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization dedicated to maintaining international peace and security, promoting sustainable development, and protecting human rights. The organization employs a vast number of officials across different levels. This article aims to provide an in-depth look at the salaries, benefits, and tax implications for UN officials, helping potential employees and the public understand the nuances involved in serving at the UN.

Salaries for United Nations Officials

The salaries for UN officials vary based on their level and position. The compensation is structured according to a system of grades, with specific ranges for each category.

Professional and Higher Categories (P-1 to D-2)

Entry-level positions in the professional and higher categories, such as P-1, have base salaries ranging from approximately $37,000. Senior positions like D-2 and above can earn salaries over $200,000. The specific range for these positions is:

P-1: $37,000 - $93,000 P-2: $57,000 - $108,000 P-3: $74,000 - $125,000 P-4: $84,000 - $145,000 P-5: $93,000 - $165,000 D-1: $125,000 - $185,000 D-2: $145,000 - $205,000

General Service Category (G-1 to G-8)

The general service category includes positions that are typically local hires. Salaries in this category vary widely based on location and responsibilities, generally ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. The specific range for these positions is:

G-1: $30,000 - $55,000 G-2: $35,000 - $60,000 G-3: $40,000 - $65,000 G-4: $45,000 - $70,000 G-5: $55,000 - $80,000 G-6: $65,000 - $90,000 G-7: $70,000 - $95,000 G-8: $75,000 - $100,000

Post Adjustment

Salaries are adjusted based on the cost of living at different duty stations. For example, a similar D-2 position might earn $205,000 in New York City but only $110,000 in a field office in a developing country, due to the higher cost of living in New York.

Benefits and Perks

UN officials may receive various benefits in addition to their salaries. These benefits include:

Health insurance Pension plans Allowances for dependents, education, and housing

In general, UN salaries are exempt from national taxes, although they may be subject to certain local taxes depending on the host country. Other types of benefits, such as tax-free purchases, are available, which can significantly boost an official's purchasing power.

Taxation and Salaries for UN Officials

Salaries for UN officials are generally exempt from national taxes, but they may be subject to certain local taxes. This depends on the specific host country. For example, during my time as a UN official posted in Vienna, Austria, I encountered a common myth that we were living tax-free. In reality, the income tax was similar to Austrian income tax, but the benefits of opting out of the Austrian public healthcare system were offset by the reduced coverage and potential higher costs.

The UN Career Structure and Salary Bands

The UN has a dedicated International Civil Service Commission for the recruitment of officers for various positions. Within this commission, there are several categories and salary bands with steps within those bands:

G-Staff

G-Staff are general staff and are locally hired. Common levels are G-1 through G-8. Typically, you don't see salaries over G-6.

P-Staff

P-Staff are professional staff and are recruited internationally for specific posts. Common levels include P-1 through P-5, with P-2 and P-3 being the most common positions.

D-Staff

D-Staff are directors and are also internationally recruited. Common levels are D-1 and D-2.

USG/SG

USG/SG are the top positions and are elected.

FS-Staff

FS-Staff are field services staff, who are field workers. This category is the most variable.

Within each category, there are fixed salary bands that split into levels. For example, a G-1 is the lowest level, while G-7 or G-8 are the highest. Step progressions are typically one step per year, starting from the lowest step (e.g., G5-I). After five years, you should aim to be at G6-VI (G5 step 6).

Conclusion

While the UN offers a stable and meaningful career, the compensation and benefits are structured to support the international nature of the organization. The official compensation and benefits structure can be found on the UN Careers website. The UN career structure provides a military-style rank and grade system for salary, but it does not have the promotion system to support rising through those ranks.