HR Specialist (filling of 2 positions)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information & communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, safeguarding personnel and staff wellness and well-being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency, and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of WHO/Europe to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region’s structures, reinforce a client-oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well-being.

The purpose of the HRT unit is to partner with the business, adding value to the business process and work of EURO through the provision of tactical and operational advice to staff and managers on workforce planning; Policy & procedural guidance – Efficient and effective sourcing, recruitment & management of human resources; performance management compliance and advice to influence and promote a culture of continuous performance and ensure that mechanisms for a more inclusive, relevant and supportive performance culture; occupational health and related supports.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide high quality, consistent and responsive HR services in one of two HRT teams, of HR operations and workforce management or talent acquisition, including human resources metrics and analytics.

Key duties:

• Workforce Management and Client Relations
• Maintain overview of staffing, including non-staff workforce, in the assigned client groups.
• Ensure HR processes are initiated, approvals are obtained at levels of delegated authority and contractual actions are performed on time.
• Brief and advise staff on a wide range of HR matters, from onboarding to separation, taking into account WHO HR policies and best HR practices.
• Proactively communicate between responsible units and colleagues, to ensure that requests for HR service and advice are answered timely and professionally.
• Assist hiring units in proposals for establishing or revising positions descriptions. Classify position descriptions according to established standards and procedures.

Recruitment

• Guide hiring managers, panels members and candidates on WHO contractual modalities, recruitment policies and recruitment procedures.
• Assist hiring units in all steps of recruitment processes, from the preparation of the vacancy announcement to the onboarding of the selected candidate.
• Assist and brief selection panels in accordance with established timelines and guidelines.

Other duties

• Monitor compliance of performance management cycles within client groups. Develop communications to promote a culture of continuous performance management and improvement.
• Assist in research on HR innovation and best practices.
• Coordinate HR events such as talent outreach, job fairs, briefing on new policies, staff training activities etc.
• Perform any other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (bachelor’s level or above) in human resources, business administration, social sciences, or related field.
Desirable: Advanced level university degree (master’s level) or training in one of the above-mentioned areas or certifications in Human Resources management.

Experience

Essential:

• At least two years of practical experience in the area of Human Resources.
• Proven experience in supporting recruitment processes and handling candidate selection tools.
• Experience in the use of automated recruitment system and integrated human resources information management systems.

Desirable: Relevant Human Resources experience in a multinational environment or in the UN.

Skills

• Demonstrated excellent knowledge of Human Resources principles and practices including recruitment processes in middle to large size organizations.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to work with data representations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to communicate effectively with staff from multiple national and professional backgrounds.
• Proven ability to work in a systematic and structured manner in a fast paced and changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
• Excellent time management and organization skills; high sense of prioritization.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Moving forward in a changing environment
5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Working knowledge of Turkish.

Desirable: Working knowledge of Russian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 34,402 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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