Use of “When Actually employed” (WAE) contracts, including those for language, allows the Organization to retain the services of individuals for work of an irregular or discontinuous nature, for assignments with uncertain duration or no clearly predefined schedule, and to ensure the availability at short notice of persons with special skills. Recruitment of staff members on WAE appointments gives rise to very specific restrictions that must be observed when processing the onboarding of a successful candidate for initial appointment with the Organization.
- WAE contracts should normally be issued for a period of six months at a time and should specify the maximum number of days that may be worked in the aforementioned period and should not exceed four and one-half months worked (two-thirds of overall contract period).
- WAE appointments do not give rise to annual, special or sick leave and do not carry any entitlement to dependency or other benefits or allowances.
- If applicable, representation allowance may be paid on a pro-rated basis.
- WAE appointments give rise to daily subsistence allowance (DSA) where appropriate, in respect of days actually worked.
- Staff members on WAE appointments are excluded from participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. This information must be included in the offer of appointment.
- Salary and post adjustment for WAE appointments should be paid at the single rate.
- Retirees on WAE in receipt of pension benefits are subject to an earnings threshold of USD $22,000 per calendar year.
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Last modified:
17 March 2022