UNDT/2022/107, Negasa
The Tribunal found that the Applicant’s candidature was not given full and fair consideration. Many questions were deleted after the test, a grading methodology was developed after the test and even the passing grade was determined after the test. If indeed there was a legitimate need to make a correction, which there was no proof that there was, the permitted action that the Administration could have taken as per Chhikara 2020-UNAT-1014 was either: (a) administer a new written test to all candidates; or (b) implement variations to the assessment methodology that would not have prejudiced any specific job candidates (the reverse impact of “the no difference principle”). Deleting questions was not an option. The Administration’s actions were therefore unlawful. The Tribunal could not afford the Applicant the opportunity to proceed to the next steps of the selection process. He could however be freshly evaluated on his answers to the questions that were deleted. The Applicant had to be placed in the same position he would have been in if the illegality had not occurred, and be granted an opportunity to be fairly considered. The Tribunal directed the Respondent to set a new written assessment to be taken by the Applicant, without undue delay.
The Applicant challenged the Administration’s evaluation of his candidature for the Security Affairs Exam as part of the Young Professionals Programme.
Within the ST/AI/2012/2/Rev 1, the only permissible changes which can be done by the Specialised Board of Examiners was to the ‘Format’ of the written and oral examination and before the test/interview are administered (section 5.4). Such changes shall be communicated to all examinees prior to the actual exam. The Board cannot delete any questions, let alone after the exam has been done and the papers marked. The role of Human Resources is then only to notify the examinees of the outcome of their performance, and nothing more.