Machiavelli and the replacement of dinosaurs
In the coming five years a lot of the Organization’s
dinosaurs are going to retire. I
can see a number of young professionals
rubbing their hands with glee and thinking
that this will be a very good opportunity for
promotion.
Poor innocents, full of illusions! Visibly you
are not yet familiar with our beloved administration
which knows how to curb the enthusiasm
of the most dynamic staff members.
Even if the departure of the dinosaurs will
free lots of posts, these posts are not for you.
Why? Because if you take into account the
fact that from 2007 on you will need two lateral
transfers to be eligible for a promotion,
and since you are obliged to stay at least two
years in each post, it means that you cannot
hope for promotion before 2011. By that time
most if not all vacant posts will have been
filled by external recruitment.
It’s a simple twisted way to manage an
organization in the long term and to encourage
staff members. Machiavelli couldn’t have
done better.
© 2006 UN Special |