HR Specialist (Administrative Law)

Within the Human Resources Management Department, the Human Resources Policy and Administration of Justice unit (HPJ) is responsible for the development of WHO’s human resource management policies reflecting organizational needs and best practice. HPJ also provides advisory services to the Organization, with a view to ensuring consistent and equitable policy application. In the immediate area of work, the sub-unit provides advisory services and legal input in order to ensure the consistent and equitable application of the Organization’s human resources policies, procedures and activities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Supervises members of the team that prepare the Organization’s position and response to: i. requests for Administrative Review; and ii. Appeals to the Global Board of Appeal (GBA). In this area of responsibility, the incumbent:i. Considers and advises on the applicability of legal precedents from the ILOAT jurisprudence, and related case law from the GBA (and former Headquarters Board of Appeal), on the development, applicability and implementation of the Organization’s policies and procedures; represents the Organization before the GBA including overseeing the analysis of the Appellant’s legal arguments, consulting with staff and management to gather facts, oversees independent comprehensive legal research, deciding on the strategy and complex legal arguments necessary to best represent the Organization’s interests particularly in cases which have complex and varied fact patterns. ii. Reviews complex issues to determine compliance by the Organization to its rules and procedures, mitigating the risks and benefits to the Organization in pursuing alternative mechanisms for the settlement of issues, providing guidance for the resolution of claims, representing the Organization in negotiations with staff members or their representatives with a view to resolving issues under review.

• Provides guidance on legally sound courses of action with regard to the implementation and application of the Organization’s Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and related human resources policies and procedures, particularly in cases which are of a complex or sensitive nature, or where often there are no precedents across the three levels of the Organization.
• Supervises staff within the sub-unit to ensure the appropriate prioritization and delegation of activities to team members, in order to meet the team objectives, and may act as Manager (Administrative Law) in his/her absence.
• Attends conferences and meetings related to human resources and legal issues; attends sittings of the ILO Administrative Tribunal.
• Contributes to the development and revision of Staff Regulations and Staff Rules, eManual provisions and other information or regulatory tools, in order to reflect changes in the Organization’s statutory and policy framework.
• Works in other areas of human resources and performs all other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced university degree in Law.

Desirable:

• University degree in human resources management.
• Admittance to Bar of a Member State or an equivalent qualification to practice law in a Member State.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of experience in the application of legal principles and concepts, and in the analysis and application of rules and regulations.
• Experience in grievance and appeals systems, and in an international setting and multicultural environment.

Desirable:

• Some experience in the management of human and financial resources and assets.

Skills

• Knowledge of the general principles of law, and their unique application in international organizations.
• Ability to instill confidence, negotiate, and persuade both senior management and staff; analytical skills, effective communication skills to present information clearly and logically (including legal issues and impacts of policies to non-lawyers) orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions which are fair to staff and support managerial responsibilities, interpersonal skills to work with people across the Organization, including in the regions; tact and high degree of discretion and confidentiality; ability to provide leadership and also work in team settings.
• Knowledge of personnel management theories and principles of staff management an advantage.
• Knowledge of WHO’s internal justice system is an asset.

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of any other official UN Languages.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2400718&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta