Can you negotiate a salary offer at the UN?
Can you negotiate a salary offer at the United Nations?
Negotiating your salary at the UN may not be as common or flexible as in the private sector; it is therefore important to approach the process professionally and respectfully. Negotiating a salary offer at the United Nations (UN) can be challenging due to, among other, its structured salary scales and adherence to specific policies and regulations.
However, there may still be some room for negotiation within certain parameters. For those of you who want to give it a try, we have summarised below some factors to consider:
Level and Grade: UN positions are assigned levels and grades based on factors such as e.g. skills, competencies, responsibilities, qualifications, and experience. Salary scales are predetermined for each level and grade. While there may be limited flexibility within these scales, it's possible to negotiate within the range associated with the specific level and grade of the position.
Location: Salaries at the UN may vary depending on the duty station or location where the position is based. Cost-of-living adjustments and allowances are provided to employees working in locations with higher living expenses. Negotiation may involve discussions around these adjustments and allowances.
Qualifications and Experience: Your qualifications, skills, and experience may influence the salary offer within the predetermined range for the position. Highlighting your relevant expertise and accomplishments during the recruitment process can potentially impact the salary offer.
Non-Salary Benefits: In addition to salary, the UN offers various non-salary benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and allowances for housing, education, and relocation. While these benefits are typically standardized, there may be some flexibility in certain cases.
Special Circumstances: In exceptional cases where there are specific factors or circumstances that warrant consideration, such as unique skills or qualifications not accounted for in the initial offer, there may be room for negotiation. However, such negotiations would likely be rare and subject to approval by relevant authorities.
While negotiating salary at the UN may not be as common or flexible as in the private sector, it's still important to approach the process professionally and respectfully. Focus on highlighting your unique skills, experience, qualifications and contributions to the team while being mindful of the UN's values, policies and procedures.
Additionally, we would advise for you to seek guidance from HR professionals or ideally mentors familiar with UN HR and employment practices helping you in navigating the negotiation process.
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