Regulatory framework governing the conduct of the workforce

The Constitution sets out that the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff shall be to assure that the efficiency, integrity and internationally representative character of the Organization shall be maintained at the highest level.

The Staff Regulations embody the fundamental conditions of service and the basic rights, duties and obligations of the Organization’s staff. They are the broad principles of personnel policy for the guidance of the Director-General in the staffing and administration of the Organization.

The Staff Rules implement the provisions of the Staff Regulations and govern the conditions of service of the Organization.

Article I of the Staff Regulations and Section 1 of the Staff Rules, both entitled “Duties, Obligations and Privileges”, set out the basic standards and values expected of international civil servants because of their status, as well as particular manifestations of such basic values (see, in particular, Article I of the Staff Regulations and Staff Rule 110).

The standard of conduct, misconduct matters, appeals and complaints against final decisions are set out specifically under the following Staff Regulations, Rules and Policies:

• Staff Regulations and Staff Rules
• Article I of the Staff Regulations on Duties, Obligations and Privileges
• Article IX of the Staff Regulations on Separation from Service
• Staff Rule 110 - Standards of Conduct for Staff Members
• Staff Rules 1000-1095 Separation from Service
• Staff Rules 1100-1130 Disciplinary Measures
• Staff Rules 1200-1250 Dispute Resolution
• Policy on Preventing and Addressing Abusive Conduct (PAAC) (20 June 2023)
• Policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct (PASM) (8 March 2023)
• Policy on Prevention, Detection and Response to Fraud and Corruption (4 July 2022)
• Policy on Preventing and Addressing Retaliation (1 July 2023)
• Code of Ethics (2023).
   

The Organization also adheres to the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service.

For affiliate personnel¹, the terms and obligations of their contractual relationship, undertaking and, where applicable, the above-mentioned policies apply.

¹ All individuals who are engaged through contractual arrangements other than staff appointments under Staff Rule 420. This includes, but is not limited to, temporary advisers, consultants, special services agreement (SSA) holders, interns, individuals on loan to WHO, UN volunteers (UNV), junior professional officers (JPO), contractors under an Agreement for Performance of Work (APW), and third-party entities such as grantees, and technical partners.