UNDT/2022/130, Chawla

UNAT Held or UNDT Pronouncements

Following the recusal of his FRO from the Panel, there is no evidence to suggest that the Applicant would have had a better chance had his FRO been present, nor that his (the FRO’s) presence in the other CBIs gave them a better chance.  Even if the CBI panel had remained constant and identical, with the inclusion of the FRO, the record before the Tribunal demonstrates that the selected candidate was superior in her candidature.   The administration of a written test is not mandatory pursuant to the Staff Selection AI. The onus was on the Applicant to prove the alleged bias. Ill-will is not a pre-requisite for a finding of bias. The Applicant did not prove that the panel had a pre-determined mindset to select the chosen candidate.

Decision Contested or Judgment Appealed

The Applicant challenged the Respondent's decision to neither select nor roster him for a D1 position in the Mission.

Legal Principle(s)

When reviewing administrative decisions regarding appointments and promotions, the Tribunal considers: (a) whether the procedure in the Staff Regulations and Rules was followed; (b) whether the staff member was given fair and adequate consideration; and (c) whether the applicable rules were applied in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner. The Tribunal's role is not to substitute its decision for that of the Administration. While the initial burden of proof is on the Respondent to show that full and fair consideration was given to an applicant’s candidature, the burden then shifts to the Applicant to prove unfairness in the selection process. Rebuttal of the presumption of regularity after the initial burden shifts from the Respondent occurs only where clear and convincing evidence establishes that an irregularity was highly probable. If any of the concerns raised by the applicant is established as clearly and convincingly proving irregularity in the selection process, the Tribunal must consider whether the irregularity impacted on the applicant’s chances of selection. The Staff Selection Manual is not part of the regulatory framework. Should there be any inconsistency between the manuals and the text of the Administrative Instruction (“AI”) on Staff Selection, the provisions of the AI prevail.

Outcome
Appeal dismissed on merits
Outcome Extra Text

 

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Applicants/ Appellants
Chawla
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Tribunal
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