HR Specialist, Policy & Legal

Duty station: Geneva Switzerland

About UNAIDS:
Serving Communities and Countries to End Inequalities and AIDS We, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, lead the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. By placing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to reduction of inequalities at the heart of our work, we lead the global response to AIDS by: (i) maximizing equitable and equal access to HIV services, (ii) breaking down barriers to achieving HIV outcomes, and (iii) integrating efficient HIV responses into wider health and protection systems.
We are committed to creating an equal, safe and empowering workplace culture where all people in all their diversity thrive. We live our values of Commitment to the AIDS Response, Integrity and Respect for Diversity.MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:
The Department of Management promotes effective governance of the Joint Programme and provides strategic direction to overarching management functions in the areas of change management, human resources, finance, budget, information technology and administration to enhance UNAIDS’ capacity to implement its mandate and vision.

The People Management Practice in the Department of Management employs a strategic approach to the effective and efficient management of people in UNAIDS by designing human resources management policies and systems; providing efficient human resources (HR) services through a network of human resources business partners and supporting the implementation of the organizational performance management and staff development process. The Practice also hosts the corporate facilities management unit.

Located within HRM, the Policy and Legal Division (HPL) is responsible for providing legal support and advice in HR operations and implementation of legally sound human resources management across UNAIDS, ensuring adherence to Staff Regulations and Rules. HPL provides policy and legal advice on all HR issues, including in relation to compliance, conduct, and disciplinary matters. The Unit is responsible for handling the Administration’s response to requests for administrative review, appeals before the Global Board of Appeal, disciplinary matters and provision of legal support and advice in other informal and formal dispute resolution processes (e.g.. Global Rebuttal Panel, Classification Review Standing Committee). HPL also coordinates the development of UNAIDS’ human resource management policies reflecting organizational needs and best practice, and providing advisory services to the Organization, with a view to ensuring consistent and equitable policy application.Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:
Under the direct supervision of the Team Lead, HR Policy and Legal, the incumbent will perform the following tasks in support of UNAIDS’ capacity to implement its mandate and vision:

1. HR policy development, application and interpretation

– Develop and assist in the preparation of HR-related policies, instructions, briefing and information notes and other administrative issuances, reflecting organizational needs, best practice and WHO legal framework.
– Review policies and procedures and recommend changes as may be required.
– Advise and support the Organization in ensuring UNAIDS HR-related policies are applied correctly, consistently and in compliance with the Staff Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures.
– Keep abreast of topics related to inter-agency HR policy development. Prepare and draft responses to inter-agency queries on HR policies and procedures.
– Maintain relevant policy registers and databases.
– Carry out other duties as assigned or required.

2. Case management, advice & analysis

– Prepare and provide policy advice to HRM colleagues and UNAIDS staff on the interpretation and application of Staff Regulations and Rules, policies and related provisions regarding all areas of personnel administration, including in complex and highly sensitive matters.
– Coordinate overall formal case management, preparing the Administration’s responses to requests for Administrative Review and appeals before the WHO Global Board of Appeal.
– Advise on issues related to complaints about and questions on alleged acts of misconduct by personnel and coordinate relevant disciplinary and corrective action, preparing relevant procedural documentation and correspondence.
– Draft, review, advise and prepare responses to Policy inquiries and correspondence.
– Ensure the relevant databases on case management and registers on policy records are maintained and kept up to date.
– Research and prepare comprehensive reviews and analysis on HR-policies and policy related matters, incl. on best HR practices within the United Nations common system and other international organizations.

3. Collaboration and special projects

– Prepares responses to queries, and generally, keeps abreast of topics related to inter-agency human resources policy development and collaborates on related initiatives.
– Follows closely on human resources policies and legal matters, including best practices within the United Nations common system and other international organizations.
– Participates in and/or leads special human resources projects as assigned.
– Performs other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education:
Essential: Advanced university degree at the Master’s level in law, Human Resources or related Field. Qualification in international public law, law of the international organizations, national or international administrative and/or labour law, human resources management, arbitration, business administration or another field related to the responsibilities will be an asset. For internal candidates, first level degree with two additional years of relevant work experience is accepted.

Desirable: Knowledge of human resources management theories and principles of staff management. Studies in litigation, dispute resolution, mediation, ethics and/or compliance.Competencies:
UNAIDS Values
1. Commitment to the AIDS response
2. Integrity
3. Respect for diversity

Core competencies
1. Working in teams
2. Communicating with impact
3. Applying expertise
4. Delivering results
5. Driving change and innovation
6. Being accountable

Managerial competencies:
1. Leading Teams
2. Building Relationships and Networks
3. Developing and Empowering Others
4. Managing Performance and Resources
5. Vision and Strategic Thinking
6. Exercising Sound JudgementExperience:
Essential: A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in international administrative law, dispute resolution and litigation, human resources management and/or policy development and implementation, including at the international level. Experience in the interpretation and application of staff regulations and rules, with administrative law and/or administrative tribunal(s) is required.

Desirable: Experience working in human resources within the UN system or other international organizations. Experience in handling complex and highly sensitive legal matters. Experience in handing disciplinary proceedings.Languages:
Essential: Proficiency in English and good working knowledge of French.

Desirable: Knowledge of additional UN official languages.Additional Information:
Positions at the international professional category within UNAIDS will be subject to the Organization’s Mobility Policy. The above-mentioned position is a rotational position and its standard duration of assignment is linked to the ICSC hardship classification of the duty station.

Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.Annual salary: (Net of tax)
77,326 at single ratePost Adjustment: 85.1 % of the figure(s) on the left side. This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Applications from people living with HIV are particularly welcome. Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to the Staff Regulations and Rules of the World Health Organization (WHO) adjusted, as necessary, to take into account the particular operational needs of UNAIDS, and any subsequent amendments.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Note: The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer or promotion of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The medical criterion for recruitment is fitness to work in the particular post. The United Nations HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy clearly stipulates that no staff and/or potential candidates shall be discriminated against on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. HIV infection, in itself, does not constitute lack of fitness to work. There is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information.

UNAIDS is committed to providing a work environment that respects the inherent dignity of all persons. UNAIDS has a responsibility to take all appropriate steps to prevent and respond to discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment, including sexual harassment in the workplace or in connection with work. UNAIDS has zero tolerance towards abusive conduct.
Please visit UNAIDS’s e-Recruitment website at: https://erecruit.unaids.org to review and apply to positions. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.