Chief, Human Resources Policies Division

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the secretariat of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). To support the Commission in fulfilling its mandate, the Human Resources Policies Division (HRPD) develops proposals for the establishment, revision, and/or enhancement of human resources management policies in the United Nations common system with particular reference to human resource planning, recruitment, mobility, career and staff development schemes, performance management, work/life balance, job evaluation standards, standards of conduct, gender equity strategies, and promotes consistency in the implementation of these policies by the organizations. The Division is also responsible for the management of field entitlements, such as the hardship and mobility scheme, danger pay and non-family status of duty stations. Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Chief of Division maintains close contact with stakeholders and partners and directs the development of policies in the areas under his/her responsibility, to ensure that they are relevant to the needs of common system organizations and Member States, and ensures that work assigned to the Division by the Commission is carried forward in an expeditious and professional manner.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Develops and directs the conduct of studies on the abovementioned aspects of human resources management for the development of system-wide HR policies, standards and procedures in the organizations of the United Nations common system, exploring and adapting best practices from public and private international sectors; • Manages the mobility/hardship scheme, including periodic studies of its functioning and the underlying methodology, the annual hardship classification of United Nations duty stations, the designation of non-family duty stations, the danger pay system, and the common system rest and recuperation framework; • Formulates policy recommendations in the relevant functional areas and provides authoritative advice for the Commission and the General Assembly on matters falling within his/her competence; • Monitors and guides the implementation by organizations of the United Nations common system of the polices recommended and/or approved by the Commission and the General Assembly; • Directs the development, testing and review of job evaluation and supporting systems, procedures and manuals for organizations of the common system, and advises and trains staff of the organizations in their application; develops and implements the job evaluation segments of remuneration studies; • Develops and directs the work programme for the Division, and manages staff performance through the encouragement of professional growth and a results-oriented environment.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated professional expertise in developing innovative human resource management policies and systems and encouraging successful change management environments. Ability to analyze and interprets data, proficient in qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis to make informed decisions. Ability to adapt to technological changes, including those in HR software and digital tools. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box.” Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in human resources, public or business administration, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience (i.e., in this case, 17 years of relevant experience) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management or the development of human resources policies in the United Nations common system environment, including positions at a senior level is required. Experience in at least two common system organizations and in at least two duty stations including a field location is required. Experience in managing staff, leading a team and working in a multicultural environment is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff at the D1 Level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.