-Depending on the entity you work for, you will face staffing and budget constraints. I worked for an entity that was severely understaffed. Made work at times feel overwhelming.
-Consultants brought in for projects and positions often know more than the people they are directed by. This is a huge problem and shouldn't be the case.
-Interns and consultants are the punching bags of the UN. In the former's case, they are unpaid, they receive no stipends, they often work longer than normal hours and their internships have no value when it comes to employment within the UN system.
-Underpaid compared to the private sector.
-If you have a grievance, you have to ultimately decide if its worth it to pursue. You will face retaliation and threats of blackballing from the UN system if you go through with it. I still have mine in writing from when I was dealing with a particular issue. I went through with it and have in fact been exiled from the system. I can't even get a reference from my former supervisors.
-Cronyism, nepotism and corruption are widespread and visible. Member states have people employed as favors. These people employed do nothing all day and are the first people to leave when the day is done.
-It doesn't pay to be an American at the U.N. Discrimination is rampant especially in hiring. You won't encounter many people working at HQ from the States. I was told by supervisor that an American hire is rare and I was one of the few lucky ones.
-If you are an American, get yourself a good accountant at tax time. Unlike other member states, when you hold American citizenship at the UN, you are responsible for paying back taxes. If you have dual citizenship elsewhere, file your information under that nationality so that you get the full spending power of your paycheck.
