The International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) adopted a framework for human resources management in 2000 to facilitate the effective personnel management and promote common values of international civil service. Many changes have taken place in the world of work in the last decade; therefore, the Commission revised the framework in 2017. The new framework focuses on the strategic role of human resources functions and advances a staff-centered approach in personnel management.
The focus of the revised framework is strategic human resources management which is a key aspect of overall organizational strategy. It is intended as a practical guide in the provision of authoritative, strategic advice in the area of human resources management to decision makers. It reinforces the role of the human resources function in the achievement of individual organizational mandates while safeguarding the cohesion of the United Nations common system.
The framework recognizes that the most valuable resource of the United Nations common system is its staff. Consequently it will help the individual staff member to better understand the strategic role of human resources management in the common system.
Philosphy
The philosophy underlying the new framework continues to be grounded in the principles emanating from the provisions of the United Nations charter, namely, the independence of the international civil service and the need for the organizations to recruit staff with the highest standards of efficiency, competency, and integrity. Due regard is given to the importance of recruiting staff on a wide geographical basis as possible and to the equal participation of men and women in the work of the organizations.
