Frozen Potential: What Does The UN’s Hiring Freeze Mean for Us?

By Vedika Pillai, News Editor of The Graduate Press

During a recent coffee meet organised by a professor at our Institute, he remarked, “It’s good you’re in your first year; by the time you graduate, hopefully, the UN will have lifted its hiring freeze.” There was some bewilderment amongst us- hiring freeze? Like me, a majority of students do not seriously prioritise UN internships or jobs- either because they’re unpaid, or jump between short-term consultancies, which are inherently unstable.

But the reality of a UN hiring freeze raises significant concerns. We, as neighbours to the Palais des Nations, ought to understand its extent. Lost, I did what any curious academic in my generation would do— rummaged through Reddit for some answers. The first thread that caught my eye declared, “As someone who wants to work for the UN, I was born in the wrong generation.” This didn’t concern me for personal ambition but rather for our geography—was Geneva and the Institute’s beacon of internationality dimming?

So, is there still a hiring freeze? 

Indeed, the answer is yes. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the “unfortunate deteriorating financial situation of our regular budget operations” as a critical concern. This dire liquidity crisis puts the UN at risk of failing to meet its legal obligations. As of February 2024, only 58 of the 193 Member States had paid their dues in full, marking the lowest dues collection in five years, despite a sharp increase in operational expenditures.

According to a public announcement from the UN office at Geneva (UNOG), made on 28 March 2024, they state the UN faces its worst financial shortfall in years, with the lowest dues collection in 5 years. UNOG has been directed to cut non-salary expenses by 42%, aiming to save over $15 million. A public announcement said: the financial outlook for 2024 looks fragile, impacting our operational capability…starting April 22nd, UNOG will implement strategic cost-cutting measures to enhance efficiency and ensure sustainability. The announcement further goes to mention cost-cutting measures include limiting official travel to essential activities, postponing purchases of goods and services, reducing consultant hires, and suspending most construction projects.

An economist at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) pointed out additional operational challenges, such as mandatory campus closures and imposed leave restrictions for translation staff. These actions reflect deeper management issues and underscore concerns about the welfare of temporary staff, who are especially susceptible to job cuts.

All UN departments are impacted, but those with relatively small staffs and budgets face the brunt. For instance, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, initiated in late 2023 to probe widespread atrocities, still lacks the investigators needed to fulfil its mandate. Although the hiring freeze is supposed to permit exceptions for essential staff, there is considerable confusion among UN officials and diplomats on how to secure these exceptions.

What does this imply for Geneva?

The image of Genève internationale, as a beacon of global diplomacy, faces significant challenges amidst the UN’s hiring freeze. As major international organisations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also grapple with job cuts, the question arises: can Geneva maintain its status as a hub of internationality, or will global tensions and waning trust in international systems overshadow its role?

The financial woes of the UN and similar bodies could lead to a reduction in international staff and activities in Geneva, potentially diminishing its vibrancy as a centre for global governance. This downturn might affect local businesses and services that thrive on the presence of international delegates and staff.

However, this scenario also presents an opportunity for other specialised organisations to step up and fill the vacuum. These entities, many of which are based in Geneva, could increase their focus on targeted research, policy work, and specialised initiatives to address the gaps left by larger organisations. This shift might lead to a more diversified and resilient international community in Geneva, fostering innovation and new approaches to global challenges.

What does this mean for us students? 

Among our student community, opinions on the UN hiring freeze are mixed. Despite the freeze, we still observe hiring within the UN system, and some students know individuals who have been recruited. This raises questions about the severity of the hiring freeze. While vacancies remain, the recruitment process has significantly slowed. One Reddit reply  highlights the frustration: “As hiring managers, our hands are tied. I can’t even inform the candidate I selected (but couldn’t formally select/onboard) to wait it out as I’m sure it’s both unethical, unfair to them, and could open us to litigation. I personally know someone who applied in March 2023 and is still waiting! They’ve been informally told they got the job but can’t move forward because of the freeze.”

This situation suggests that while the UN’s hiring activities haven’t entirely ceased, the bottleneck in the recruitment process creates uncertainty and delays for aspiring candidates. For us, this means managing expectations and preparing for a more competitive and unpredictable job market.

This also necessitates a reevaluation of our relationship with the UN. While the Graduate Institute has traditionally maintained close ties with international organisations, it may be time to decouple our image from the UN. As the world’s dynamics evolve, there is a pressing need to adapt and promote alternative career paths. We should focus on building trust and contributing to bettering the world rather than relying solely on the prestige associated with established institutions like the UN.

Overall, I think it’s important to recognise the UN hiring freeze is more than a temporary administrative hurdle; it signals a profound shift in the landscape of international careers and the operational dynamics of global institutions. For us, the students living in the shadow of the Palais des Nations, it is a stark reminder of the volatile nature of international relations and the fluidity of job markets. As we reflect on the implications of these changes, it’s clear that our career paths might look vastly different from what previous generations envisioned. The future will require us to be more adaptable, proactive, and creative.