UN CORE VALUES
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
Works effectively with people from all backgrounds.
Treats all people with dignity and respect.
Shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates
this understanding in daily work and decision making.
Examines own biases and behaviors to avoid stereotypical responses.
PROFESSIONALISM
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
Be conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines,
and achieving results.
Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
Remains calm in stressful situations
INTEGRITY
Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviors.
Acts without consideration of personal gain.
Resists undue political pressure in decision-making.
Does not abuse power or authority.
Stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest even if they are
unpopular.
Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior.
1
UN CORE COMPETENCIES
TEAM WORK
■ Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
■ Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn
from others
■ Places team agenda before personal agenda
■ Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such
decisions may not entirely reflect own position
■ Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team
shortcomings
communication
■ Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
■ Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds
appropriately
■ Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
■ Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
■ Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
2
Team work
Planning & organizing
■ Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
■ Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
■ Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
■ Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
■ Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
■ Uses time efficiently
accountability
■ Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
■ Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and
quality standards
■ Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
■ Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated
assignments
■ Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work
unit, where applicable.
Client orientat`
■ Considers all those to whom services are provided to
be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
■ Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their
trust and respect
■ Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
■ Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the
clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
■ Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
■ Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client
creavty
■ Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
3
■ Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs
■ Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
■ Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"
■ Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
■ Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches
Tech awareness
■ Keeps abreast of available technology
■ Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
■ Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
■ Shows willingness to learn new technology
Commitment and continues learning
■ Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession
■ Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally
■ Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates
■ Shows willingness to learn from others
■ Seeks feedback to learn and improve
vision
■ Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
■ Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work
unit’s goals.
■ Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction,
inspiring others to pursue that same direction
■ Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities
leadersip
■ Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
■ Empowers others to translate vision into results
■ Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
4
■ Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to
understand needs and gain support
■ Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
■ Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo
Shows the courage to take unpopular stands
5
Empowering others
■ Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in
important areas of their work
■ Encourages others to set challenging goals
■ Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of
responsibility
■ Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise
■ Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort
■ Involves others when making decisions that affect them
Building trust
■ Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making
authority
■ Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff
member
■ Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task
and matches task to skills
■ Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
■ Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
■ Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
■ Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
Judgement and decision making
■ Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the
problem quickly
■ Gathers relevant information before making a decision
■ Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them
■ Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization
■ Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available
information
■ Checks assumptions against facts
■ Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying
needs for the decision
6
Makes tough decisions when necessary