What is mediation?
Mediation is a confidential dispute resolution process, in which a neutral third-party professional—a mediator—helps the parties in dispute to engage in a constructive conversation, discuss issues, express interests, brainstorm options, find common ground, and, where applicable, reach consensus with a view to resolving the dispute.
All mediations conducted by the Mediation Unit of the Office of the Ombudsman for United Nations Funds and Programmes are based on the four key principles of the Office: confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality, independence, and informality.
The Office also operates in accordance with the mediation principles of voluntary participation, self-determination, and informed consent.
Mediation Principles
Voluntary participation
The participation of disputing parties in mediation is voluntary, which means that the parties engage in the process voluntarily. Similarly, the parties exit from the process voluntarily. The voluntary nature of the process enables the parties to be honest and candid in communicating their own perspective, to control the process, and to achieve mutual understanding.
Self-determination
The mediator will not impose any solutions on the parties. The disputing parties will have the right and power to decide the outcome of the dispute, to explore and find a solution acceptable to them. In an adjudicative process, however, such as the United Nations Dispute Tribunal or arbitration, a judge or an arbitrator will impose a binding outcome on the disputing parties.
Informed consent
During the process, the mediator will ensure that the parties understand the risks and benefits of a settlement so that they can make an informed decision.
The role of the mediator
The role of the mediator is to facilitate the discussion between the parties and to help the parties to reach a satisfactory outcome, in confidence, and in the spirit of trust. The mediator does not take sides nor judge who is right or wrong, but rather creates an opportunity for the parties to have a constructive dialogue with the professional assistance of a neutral and independent mediator.
Who can request mediation?
The members of the UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, and UN Women workforce who seek to resolve a workplace dispute are eligible to request mediation services from the Mediation Unit of the Office regardless of their contractual modality (including managers, other staff members, consultants, and interns). The Office ultimately retains the discretion to determine whether a case is appropriate for mediation. If the matter is not suitable for mediation, the Visitor may choose to discuss the issues through the ombudsman services. Any party that participates in mediation retains the right to pursue formal dispute-resolution processes.
How to request mediation?
Typically, mediation commences with a party initiating the process by sending an email to the Office at ombudsmediation@fpombudsman.org with a brief description of the situation that such party is facing. All communications with the Office, including this initial communication, are strictly confidential. Once a need for mediation is expressed and the Mediation Unit determines that mediation is appropriate, the Mediation Unit will obtain both parties’ consent to the mediation process.
Mediation Videos
CASE 1 Interpersonal & performance
CASE 2 Reorganization
CASE 3 Harassment & performance
CASE 4 Consultancy
CASE 5 Organization’s perspective on mediation
Peace at work
The “Peace at work” project aims at producing series of short interviews with the Office of the Ombudsman’s team, the Global Mediation Panel mediators and the Board Members, and other conflict resolution professionals with the goal to provide helpful insights regarding workplace mediation. The interviews are available to all personnel of the Funds and Programmes that the Office serves and can be viewed after the registration process on our website.
Mediation Newsletter
The Mediation Newsletter is a unique resource available to the personnel of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS and UN Women to learn more about mediation and how it can be effectively utilized. The inaugural edition of the newsletter is made available on our website. The Office of the Ombudsman may also publish some of the material in subsequent editions on the website when the Office believes that the material will benefit the international mediation community beyond the Funds and Programmes and will not contain any proprietary or confidential information.
2023
Mediation Newsletter – Ninth Edition
We are excited to share the ninth newsletter edition, covering the period July-September 2023.
Download: English (PDF)
2022
Mediation Newsletter – Fifth Edition
Mediation Newsletter – Sixth Edition
Mediation Newsletter – Seventh Edition
Mediation Newsletter – Eighth Edition
2021
Mediation Newsletter – Inaugural Edition
Mediation Newsletter – Second Edition
Mediation Newsletter – Third Edition
Mediation Newsletter – Fourth Edition
Would you like to learn how to deal with some difficult situations at work?
The Mediation Unit has developed an e-learning course titled “Mediation as an Effective Way of Resolving Disputes”, to help you understand, specifically, the role of mediation and appreciate its effectiveness in resolving workplace conflicts.
This course will also ensure that you have a better understanding of how mediation can help not only to reconcile differences between colleagues, but also to foster a more harmonious workplace.
Have you decided to start a mediation process to resolve your workplace dispute? In this module, we will walk you through the basics of the mediation process and the steps you need to get started. You will also hear from actual colleagues who have participated in a mediation and have shared their experiences anonymously to help you appreciate the mediation experience and make an informed decision about the ways to address workplace conflicts.
For more information about how mediation can help you in your situation, please review the documents below.
Mediation Resources
Mediation guide
This Mediation Guide describes the role of the Mediation Unit of the Office in supporting effective conflict resolution and collaboration among the members of the workforce, with particular focus on the enhanced capacity of the Office for timely and effective provision of top-quality mediation services.
Download: English (PDF)
A Conversation with the Mediator
The Mediation Unit has launched a series of 1.5-hour training events titled “A Conversation with the Mediator,” aimed at bringing mediation closer to the country offices despite the pandemic. “A Conversation with the Mediator” includes two components.
Download: English (PDF)
Mediation process
This document provides a useful illustrative chart to describe the mediation process and the steps involved therein.
Download: English (PDF)
Mediation Advocacy Guide
Although this guide is specifically designed for mediation lawyers and parties represented by lawyers in mediation, it can also be useful for an unrepresented party to develop a strategy to and prepare for an upcoming mediation session.
Download: English (PDF)
Guide for External Lawyers
This guide is specifically designed for external lawyers who represent personnel in disputes against any of five UN funds and programmes.
Download: English (PDF)
Formal Deadlines & Extension
This illustrative chart explains the relevant deadlines to formally challenge administrative decisions and opportunities to mediate at any stage.
Download: English (PDF)
The Code of Conduct
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that all mediators of the Global Mediation Panel of the Office of Ombudsman for the United Nations Funds and Programmes are guided by a single set of ethical rules and principles.
Download: English (PDF)
Agreement to mediate
The parties are requested to sign an agreement to mediate before engaging in mediation, which ensures the parties’ compliance with the basic principles of mediation.
Download: English (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This document provides a list of common questions that users of mediation have. But if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Download: English (PDF)
General Operating Principles of the International Advisory Board
This document provides the terms and conditions of the Members of the International Advisory Board as well as sets out the fundamental rules and processes for the operation of the Board.
Download: English (PDF)
Mediation Training Flyer
This flyer provides a summary of the training programs offered by the Mediation Unit.
Download: English (PDF)
