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Who we are
Founded in Paris in 1952, FICSA is a federated group of 29 staff associations/unions from organizations belonging to the United Nations common system. Nine staff associations/unions outside the common system have associate status. Fifteen staff associations/unions are consultative members and twenty-five Federations of United Nations Staff Associations (FUNSA) are observers. The diversity of membership ensures that all staff in the field and at headquarters duty stations have the opportunity to exchange views and information about conditions of service; seek the Federation's assistance and support when difficulties arise; and organize collective action.

Aims

FICSA fosters the development of the international civil service in accordance with the principles set forth in the United Nations Charter and the constitutions of the specialized agencies. The Federation:

  • Defends staff rights
  • Ensures that equitable conditions of service for all common system staff are maintained at a level which will ensure the recruitment and retention of the most qualified people
  • Contributes to building a positive image of the international civil service

Council and Offices

A Council of member association/union representatives meets annually to define the Federation's policy. Each year the Council elects an Executive Committee, (consisting of a President, General Secretary, Treasurer and four members) and four regional representatives who are responsible respectively for implementing the Federation's policies and representing the Federation.

The Executive Committee draws up the annual programme of work, based on the decisions and recommendations adopted by Council. Standing committees specialize in General Service Questions, Professional Salaries and Allowances, Conditions of Service in the Field, Social Security/Occupational Health and Safety, Staff-Management Relations, Human Resources Management and Legal Questions.

The Secretariat in Geneva has four staff members. The New York Liaison Office, which maintains contacts with the representatives of the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, has two staff members.

Actions

FICSA's annual and ongoing programmes of work include the following activities:

  • Representing the interests of international civil servants in interagency bodies and legislative organs of the common system
  • Coordinating activities at the local level and exchanging information on conditions of service
  • Informing all staff on issues affecting their conditions of service
  • Organizing training seminars, workshops and working groups on specific aspects of conditions of service
  • Advising member associations/unions on staff-management relations
  • Producing position papers on the technical aspects of conditions of service
  • Coordinating industrial action
  • Supporting the use of the appeal process (internal appeals and Administrative Tribunals) in cases of non-observance of terms of appointment
  • Formulating strategies to prevent violations of rights
  • Participating in cost-of-living surveys that determine post adjustment and salary scales
  • Advocating staff positions with Member States representatives
  • Providing guidelines on how staff associations should deal with organizational reform