Vantaggi
As with other UN organisations, the rates of pay at UNCTAD are pretty good, and there is an impressive 'local posting' adjustment which normally means that you don't need to draw on your actual salary at all. There are almost endless perks to the job - special allowances for this or that are always being paid, and naturally everything is tax-free also. Holidays are generous and pensions in line with salary scales. Working at the UN headquarters in Geneva means there is a regular round of social functions to attend, and of course there is a heavily subsidised and excellent staff restaurant, overlooking Lake Geneva, besides various club rooms and other facilities such as a health centre and duty-free shop. Hours of work are very relaxed - people arrive anytime up to 1000 and start to head for home promptly at 1700. Other staff members are generally most charming and intelligent.
Svantaggi
Occasionally longer hours of work may be expected when a report deadline is approaching. Geneva is a very expensive city for rent and eating out, but the staff allowances are such that this is never a problem.