The contract type on a UN vacancy tells you almost as much as the grade: how long the job lasts, whether it renews, whether you get staff benefits and a pension, and whether there is a forced break afterwards. This page compares them side by side so you know what you are applying for. For a fuller explanation of each, see the companion guide on UN contract types explained.
The big divide is staff versus non-staff. Temporary, Fixed-Term and Continuing appointments are staff contracts with entitlements; Consultant, Individual Contractor and Special Service Agreement engagements are non-staff and paid by fee.
UN contract types side by side
| Contract | Typical duration | Renewable | Benefits / pension | Break in service | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Appointment (TA) | Up to 364 days | Limited | Reduced staff benefits | Yes, a break is required | Short-term surge or cover |
| Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA) | One to two years (commonly) | Yes (no guarantee, but common) | Full staff benefits + pension | No | Core staff roles |
| Continuing Appointment | Open-ended | Not applicable | Full | No | Long-serving staff after FTAs |
| Consultant / Individual Contractor | Per assignment | Per new contract | None (fee only) | Per organisation rules | Defined deliverables, specialist expertise |
| Special Service Agreement (SSA) | Short term | Limited | Limited | Per rules | Short non-staff support |
| UN Volunteer (UNV) | 6 to 24 months | Yes | Living allowance, not salary | Not applicable | Entry route and service |
Temporary vs Fixed-Term: the key distinction
- A Temporary Appointment is capped at up to 364 days and carries a mandatory break in service afterwards, which stops it being chained indefinitely. It suits short-term needs such as covering a vacancy or a surge.
- A Fixed-Term Appointment usually runs one to two years, carries full staff benefits and pension participation, and can be extended with no required break, which is why it is the backbone of UN staffing.
- Neither carries a legal expectation of renewal, but in practice FTAs are routinely extended while TAs are designed to end.
Staff vs non-staff: what you give up as a consultant
A Consultant or Individual Contractor engagement pays a negotiated fee for a defined scope of work, with no post adjustment, no pension and no staff entitlements. It is flexible and a common way to start working with the UN, but it is not a staff job and does not build the same job security. Many people use consultancies and Temporary Appointments to gain experience and then move into Fixed-Term staff roles.