Salary

FAO adheres to the UN common system of salaries, allowances and benefits.  To view the UN salary scales in the professional category, please click here. For detailed information on salaries and allowances, please refer to the UN Common System Salaries and Allowances Booklet.

Base salary
The base salary is determined by the post grade and by the existence of any dependants. Base salary is expressed in U.S. dollars and is payable mainly in local currency.

Post adjustment
The base salary is supplemented by a post adjustment which varies according to the cost of living in the duty station and the exchange rate of the United States dollar. The post adjustment, set by the United Nations as a percentage of the base salary, guarantees staff members the same purchasing power in every duty station by stabilizing the monthly salary paid in local currency.

Tax exemption
Salaries, grants and allowances paid by FAO are in most cases exempt from national income tax.

Hardship allowance
At some duty stations, a hardship allowance linked to living and working conditions is also paid.

Benefits

As a FAO staff member you may be entitled to the benefits detailed below:

Assignment and Repatriation Assistance

Travel expenses
If you are recruited internationally, FAO covers travel expenses for you and your dependants from the place of recruitment to your assigned duty station. Dependants whose travel expenses may be payable are the staff member’s spouse and children, provided that they meet certain conditions.  

Removal expenses
Depending on the type of your contract, you may be entitled transportation of your personal effects and household goods. 

Assignment grant
To assist you in meeting initial extraordinary costs when arriving at or relocation to a new duty station.  The grant comprises DSA and a lump-sum portion. 

Rental subsidy
If newly arrived at the duty station and your rent is too high in proportion of your total remuneration, you may be entitled to a rental subsidy.

Repatriation grant
If you leave the country of your duty station after separation from service at FAO, you may be entitled to a repatriation grant payable on the basis of your number of years of service. 

Help with family commitments

Family allowances
Dependency benefits are provided in the form of higher net salaries and allowances for staff with dependents, and by flat-rate allowances for children and secondary dependents.

Education grant
An education grant is available to internationally recruited staff members serving outside their home country to cover a part of the cost of educating children in full-time attendance at an educational institution. The grant is payable up to the end of the fourth year of post-secondary studies; students are subject to a maximum age limit of 25 years. Educational travel expenses for the child may also be paid depending on the circumstances.

Leave

Annual Leave
Depending on your type of contract, you will be entitled to up to 30 days of vacation per year.  In addition, FAO also observes 10 paid holidays per year; these differ from duty station to duty station.

Home leave
If you have been recruited internationally, you may be eligible for home leave travel to renew your social, cultural and family ties in your home country; frequency depends on the duty station you are assigned to and the type of contract you hold.

Maternity/Paternity/Adoption leave
FAO makes provisions for maternity, paternity and adoption leave with full pay which can range from two to sixteen weeks depending on which type of leave is being requested.

Social security and retirement pension

Health insurance
You will be eligible to participate in one of FAO’s sponsored medical insurance plans.  The monthly premiums are co-shared by yourself and the Organization.

Travel insurance
You will be compensated by the Organization in the event of injury or illness attributable to the performance of official duties. In the event of death in similar circumstances your family will also be compensated.

Retirement pension
If you have a Staff appointment of six months or more or complete six months of service without an interruption, you become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.  A compulsory contribution will be deducted from your monthly salary.  For more information on the UNJSP click here.