Short-term conference staff appointed under staff rule 1320
10 Conference staff comprise language staff and non-language staff who are appointed to work at Organizational and other meetings organized by WHO. These include governing bodies meetings (e.g. World Health Assembly, Executive Board, regional committees), meetings of experts and other meetings.
20 Periods of duty for conference staff depend on the requirements of the meetings to which they are assigned. The Organization makes every effort to arrange meetings and hours of work for conference staff in such a way as to limit the demands on any individual to one normal tour of duty in each twenty four hour period.
30 The rates of pay and conditions of employment of short-term conference interpreters are established in accordance with the Agreement between the United Nations Common System/Chief Executives Board for Coordination and the Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (Annex 13C, CEB/AIIC Agreement) dated 1 January 2019. This agreement applies to all conferences and meetings organized by WHO worldwide for which interpretation services are required (with the exception of the Regional Office for the Americas).
40 Other language staff include translators, revisers, editors and précis-writers. The rates of pay and conditions of employment of such short-term language staff are established in accordance with the Agreement between the United Nations System/Chief Executives Board for Coordination and the Association International des Traducteurs de Conférence (Annex 13D, CEB/AITC Agreement) dated 1 January 2013. This agreement applies to the production of texts related to the mandated activities of WHO worldwide for which such services are required (e.g. governing bodies’ meetings).
50 Non-language conference staff engaged to work at meetings in headquarters come under the control of Conference and Event Coordination which, based on the requirements of the units concerned, as submitted on form WHO 612 (World Health Assembly and Executive Board meetings) or through the on-line Conference Reservation and Information System, determines the number and type of staff to be employed and the length of time for which they will be required.
60 Regional administrative services officers undertake all the responsibilities listed above in appointing conference staff to work at regional committees and at other regional meetings and, in consultation with Conference Coordination and Planning, at meetings of experts or other meetings held at regional offices for which Conference Coordination and Planning holds the allotment details. Regional administrative services officers may, if so requested by Conference Coordination and Planning, also assume responsibility for meetings held within a region but not at the regional office. If Conference Coordination and Planning is requested to provide conference staff for regional activities, the Regional HR Manager (RHRM) is responsible for the selection, recruitment, conditions of service and appointment, and the RBFO for the settlement of their pay and travel entitlements.
70 While the selection of conference staff is undertaken by Conference and Event Coordination/Regional administrative services officers, the HR Business Partner (HRBP)/Regional HR Manager (RHRM) is responsible for further recruitment and appointment process, including the determination of the applicable conditions of service.
80 Conference staff are required to provide a Medical Certificate of Fitness for Work from their treating physician before taking up an appointment with the Organization, and as a pre-condition for the effectiveness of the appointment. An amount of USD 50 is paid to the staff member, once in a twelve (12) month period, to cover the cost involved. Reimbursement is authorized by the HR Administrator GSC at the time of issuing the initial contract. If authorized, reimbursement is made automatically with the salary payment at the end of the initial contract.
90 The rates of pay for conference staff are adjusted periodically in respect of real-income increases to staff members in the professional category as well as in respect of cost-of-living changes. Based on the information provided by the CEB Secretariat, HRT circulates the revised rates to HRBP/RHRM's. See also the latest rates under related links.
100 Conference staff travel is administered in accordance with the WHO travel policy - see WHO eManual section VII. Travel instructions which constitute the authorization to travel are issued by the recruiting office. With regard to remuneration during authorized travel time, except where it is agreed that any necessary travel can reasonably be accomplished during the period of appointment (i.e.active service without any additional travel time), conference staff recruited from outside the duty station shall receive one half day’s salary for the day preceeding the beginning of the appointment and one half day’s salary for the day following the end of their appointment. A full day’s salary is paid for any additional day of required travel.
Completion of appointment of short-term conference staff engaged on a daily basis
110 Conference Coordination and Planning (regional conference officer) is responsible for determining and certifying the periods for which a salary is payable to conference staff and for giving this information, together with details of how payment is to be made (i.e. bank account details) to FNM/PAY (RBFO).
Loss of earnings, sickness and accident insurance and sick leave
120 In the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the performance of official duties, conference staff are covered by the rules (reproduced in III.20 Annex 7.E), subject to the limitations mentioned in paragraph 2 of that Annex.
130 Short-term conference staff whose salary rates already include an element for social security purposes are expressly excluded from participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, irrespective of whether they are paid on a daily or monthly basis, and periods of short-term service cannot be validated should the staff member subsequently become a participant in the Fund.
Other non-language staff
140 Short-term general service staff are also recruited to assist with the work of conferences and are typically appointed as ushers, messengers, guards, audio technicians, text-processing staff, sound operators etc. Such staff are appointed in accordance with conditions determined by the Director-General under Staff Rule 420.3 or 420.4.
