Headhunting for peace, among other things: A review (III)

This Chapter studies the UN its organization and governance structures.  It argues that the UN secretariat makes up for 40 percent of the 38,582 staff of the organization as at 2003. UNICEF 23 percent, UN High Commission for Refugees 17%, UNDP 14%, then other agencies 17%. There are some other ad-hoc staff and the payroll […]

This Chapter studies the UN its organization and governance structures.  It argues that the UN secretariat makes up for 40 percent of the 38,582 staff of the organization as at 2003. UNICEF 23 percent, UN High Commission for Refugees 17%, UNDP 14%, then other agencies 17%. There are some other ad-hoc staff and the payroll of UN continue to increase on 100% annually.

The budget and finance of UN over the years has increased and has continued to increase even more than 100% in recent times and it is the personal management that takes a lion share of it.

Although UN does not levy taxes but its budget is always over the period of 2 years and it is based on inputs from departments, agencies and offices away from the headquarters. The income is equally from member states contribution which is based on their financial strength. Many states default but US tops the list among the financiers of the organization. As at 2007, USA, India, Switzerland, France were major contributors in ICT equipment, pharmaceutical products etc.

STRUCTURE OF UN: The General Assembly composition and role

It is made up of representatives of all member states and its role is to discuss any matter within the scope of the present charter and any organ of the organization. They make recommendation to the Security Council. They also approve the budget of the organization and elect non permanent member state for the Security Council.

Balogun argues that it is just a talking shop since its role is basically advisory and cannot enforce any law. It also has other agencies or organization under it like the advisory commission, advisory committee on administrative and budgetary questions (ACABQ).

Part of the achievements of the Assembly is that it has made efforts in the decolonization of 80 countries including Namibia and South Africa in 1990 and 1994 respectively. However, the limitless power of the Security Council has made the General Assembly to become toothless bull dog for instance it could not stop US invasion of Iraq.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

It is made up of 54 members on rotational basis of 3 years. The role of the council is to initiate studies and issue reports on international, economic, social, cultural, education, health and other related matters. It also makes recommendation to the general assembly, other agencies and even the securely council.

ECOSOC has achieved so much in the area of the establishment of the human rights commission in 1947  and 1973, the creation of GATT in 1946, UNCTAD in 1964. 70% of the UN human and financial resources are allocated based on ECOSOC deliberations. ECOSOC has not been able to give dates and reports to hold their governments at when due.

Trusteeship Council:

The trusteeship council safeguards the interest of the inhabitants of true territories. The council comprises of member states.

ICJ: It renders legal advise to the security council and other agencies of the organization. The ICJ settles disputes among states.

The Security Council: The Security Council makes provision for 15 members, 5 members as permanent members who are China, USA, France, USSR and UK while 10 remaining slots is left for rotational members elected after every 2 years. The UN charter confers veto powers on the Security Council. This raises the question of why 5 out of 192 members will hold the organization at ransom.

The Secretariat:

Chapter 5 of the charter establishes a full time secretariat headed by the secretary general who is in charge of the staffing of the secretariat. The secretary general is allowed to use his discretion run the secretariat. Chapter four of the book discusses employment policies and practices and exposes the link between rules and decision making. Article 8 of the UN charter makes relevant provisions for the rules that guide the organization’s staff and makes open room for anyone to participate in any of the organization organ and Article 97 authorizes the General Assembly to appoint the Secretary General with the approval of the Security Council. Staff are appointed by the regulation of the General Assembly. They are expected to protect the interest of the organization. UN Staff are recognized as international staff. Staff must sign undertaking before taking up an office. The organization shall not discriminate against anybody or abuse the power or authority given to him but they shall treat everyone equally. No staff of UN shall accept any other appointment while working with the organization. A Staff must not accept any honour, decoration, favors or gift from any government. They are to respect fundamental human right and they must protect the interest of the organization.

The 100 and 200 series staff have the same fundamental principle guiding them as regards all aspect of the conditions surrounding their employment.  The 100-, 200- and 300- series staff are exempted from probation and expiration dates. They also contain the “non-expectancy” clause.  Every other staff is on temporary bases except the staff under any of the series.

Some positions under the secretariat are called black market jobs because they serve as negotiators to get favour for the organization or serve as agents that suppress all forms of rebellion from the staff.

The job description of the 100 series staff is supply oriented while the 200- series staff are demand driven. The organization considers the 200- series staff as external staff while the 100-series are considered as the internal staff because they are always in the office checking into files and documents.

The 100 series staff have three types of appointment which are- probationary, fixed, and indefinite type. Those under the age of fifty are first been placed on probation after which their appointment is permanent.

200-series staff are staff in the technical field and because of their technicality, they are staff of the secretariat they are equally divided into staff recruited for permanent service, staff recruited for time bound project, staff recruited as operational, executive and administrative functions OPEX/OPAS. They could be short term, intermediate and long term. All contract staff of 200- series staff have contracts that expire as written in their appointment letter. The OPEX/OPAS staff of the 200-series have same regulations like that of the secretariat staff as long as their projects continue.

(Concluded)