III.5.12 Extension of appointment

  This is the eManual section for Performance and Change of Status.

​​10    A fixed-term appointment is a time limited appointment of one year and up to two (2) years. A fixed-term appointment may be extended for up to two (2) years provided that the requirements in paragraph 20 are satisfied.

20    Extensions of fixed-term appointments are subject to the following conditions:

• the staff member's prior year appraisal report is satisfactory; 
• the funds necessary are expected to be assured
• the staff member accepts the offer of extension for the specified period; and
• the period of the extension does not go beyond the end of the month in which the staff member reaches the normal age of retirement in accordance with Staff Rule 1020.

30    The length of the extension should be determined by the need for the staff member's services, the quality of their work, their own wishes, and the availability of funds. Extension should be considered with a view to giving a sense of security to satisfactory performing staff members, due regard being paid to the long-term needs of the Organization in the staff member's area of expertise.

35    In accordance with Staff Rule 1020.1.4 in exceptional circumstances the Director-General may, in the interest of the Organization, extend a staff member’s appointment beyond retirement age, provided that such extensions shall not be granted for more than one year at a time.

40    Extensions of appointment up to the mandatory age of separation as defined in Staff Rule 1020 are approved by:

1. the Director-General for staff members at grades P.6/D.1 and above as well as WHO Representatives;
2. Assistant Directors-General for staff at Headquarters at grades P.5 and below;
3. Regional Directors for all staff serving in their region at levels P.6/D.1 and below, except for WHO Representatives.  See also III.10.Separation from Service.

The manager or their designee will initiate the extension of a fixed-term appointment.  The HR Administrator GSC will administer the extension of the appointment.

General

50    Extensions for fixed-term periods are normally made to end on the last day of a calendar month.

• Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
• Temporary staff appointed for 60 days or less

Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

60    A temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4 is a time-limited appointment of up to two years.  If the temporary appointment is of less than two years, it may be extended, provided that the total duration of uninterrupted service under consecutive temporary appointments does not exceed two years.

70    Extensions/renewals of temporary appointments either in the same or another temporary function will be subject to such factors as continuing need for the function, availability of funding, satisfactory performance and conduct.

80    In the absence of any offer and acceptance of extension, temporary appointments will expire on the completion of the agreed period of service.

90    When it is decided not to offer an extension of appointment to a staff member holding a temporary appointment, the staff member will be given notice of this decision no less than one month before the expiry date of the appointment.  Such notice will not be required in the case of a staff member holding a temporary appointment who has reached the maximum duration of uninterrupted service under consecutive temporary appointments (Staff Rule 1040).

Temporary staff appointed for 60 days or less

100    When the services of a staff member holding a temporary appointment of 60 days or less are required beyond the maximum sixty (60) day period, and provided that there is no break in service between temporary appointments, the staff member will be offered a new temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4.  For the purposes of these provisions, any period of non-employment between appointments will break the continuity of service. 

110    As from the sixty-first (61^st) day of employment, staff members falling within the immediately preceding paragraph will  be governed by the conditions of service applicable to any staff member holding a temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4.   However, prior service on a temporary appointment of 60 days or less will be counted for purposes of benefits and entitlements, except pension and insurance.  Prior service on a temporary appointment of 60 days or less will also be counted for  purposes of calculating the maximum duration on a temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4, namely a maximum of up to two (2) years.

120    When an initial temporary appointment of 60 days or less is renewed, those staff members who had been authorized to travel on appointment are responsible for amending their return air travel reservations.