What are the core values, principles and competencies of the United Nations?

Before going into detail and definitions of the differences between values and competencies, it’s important to know that once you enter the UN system and, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, you are to carry out duties, in the interest of the Organization only. Employees of the UN are called upon to serve the universal ideals of peace, respect for fundamental rights and international cooperation. Furthermore, all UN staff members have to sign the Oath of Office, representing commitment towards upholding the highest levels of efficiency, competence and integrity.

The UN differs between UN organizational core values, UN competencies and managerial competencies (such as e.g. leadership). And these differentiations are among others extremely important for your UN job application and UN system interviews.

The UN organizational core values are a set of shared basic principles and beliefs that underpin the work of the organization and its agencies; they are also the guiding actions and behaviours of UN employees and UN staff members carrying out their individual work.

UN competencies are skills, attributes and behaviours important for UN employees. Managerial competencies on the other hand are skills, attributes and behaviours that are essential for employees in more senior roles with managerial and supervisory responsibilities.

So what are these core values that all United Nations staff members are not only expected to follow but will be appraised on?

• INTEGRITY which involves among others the obligation to include impartiality, fairness, honesty and truthfulness, in your daily activities and behaviours and to stand by decisions that are in the Organization's interest even if some of them might be unpopular.

• PROFESSIONALISM aiming to among others for UN staff members to show pride in their daily work and persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.

• RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY and GENDER aiming to among others for UN staff members to work effectively with people from all backgrounds, treat all people with dignity and respect as well as men and women equally.

As a UN employee its key to show commitment towards promoting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights for all. Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is a vital part for achieving both, human rights and human development.

The following are UN Competencies:

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Planning and Organization

• Accountability

• Client Orientation

• Creativity

• Technological Awareness

• Commitment to Continuous Learning

Managerial Competencies include

• Leadership

• Vision

• Empowering Others

• Building Trust

• Managing Performance

• Judgment/Decision-Making

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