Most international staff are contractors. Only a few are permanent staff. In Afghanistan UNDP had about 3 permanent staff and maybe 30 to 50 international and several hundred Afghans. It’s all a big system with everything fine through projects.
The wants to be able to hire anyone so they pay European wages with European benefits. This worked to my advantage. I was paid very well. When I had to leave country after being in a terrorist attack. I received full pay for 3-month sick leave.
The UN agencies and USAID only do things with government approval. So maintaining communication is a priority.
Thanks