Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Held or Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT Pronouncements
The staff member appealed on the ground that Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT had made errors of fact in the judgment. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT recalled that in order to overturn a finding of fact, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT must be satisfied that the finding is not supported by the evidence or that it is unreasonable. Some degree of deference should be given to the factual findings by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT as the court of first instance, particularly where oral evidence is heard. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT dismissed the appeal finding that there were no grounds for overturning the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT¡¯s findings of fact and that no other reversible errors were made.
Decision Contested or Judgment/Order Appealed
The staff member challenged the decision not to select her for the post of P-4 Arabic Reviser on the ground that the selection procedure for the consideration of 15-day and 30-day candidates was not followed. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT found that the selection procedure was followed and that the staff member, a 15-day candidate, was considered and found unsuitable for the post before the 30-day candidates were considered. Having found that the staff member¡¯s right to be assessed fairly and adequately had been satisfied and because she had not been found suitable for the post, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT concluded that there was no error in not selecting her and in interviewing the 30-day candidates. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT dismissed the application.
Legal Principle(s)
In reviewing administrative decisions regarding appointments and promotions, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT examines the following: (1) whether the procedure as laid down in the Staff Regulations and Rules was followed; and (2) whether the staff member was given fair and adequate consideration. The Secretary-General has broad discretion in making decisions regarding promotions and appointments. In reviewing such decisions, it is not the role of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT or of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT to substitute its own decision for that of the Secretary-General regarding the outcome of the selection process.