Human Resources Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, regional commissions and tribunals. The Human Resources Services Division (HRSD) provides dedicated services in support of human resources requirements of client entities, from process development through service delivery. The Division establishes and manages rosters across all job families, organizes testing and examinations, provides operational support and other advisory service for clients for the full spectrum of their delegated authorities, and supports managers and business partners in the use of non-staff personnel. The Operational Support and Advisory Service (OSAS) serves as an enabling partner to support clients in fulfilling their mandates. The key services include: guidance to entities on the proper exercise of delegated authorities; advice on the application of human resources policies and procedures; advice to managers related to formal and informal conflict resolution; input/feedback to the development and/or improvement of simplified policies and procedures; support to clients in developing, formulating and implementing customized entity specific HR strategies and plans; and support to clients and shared services in the achievement of their human resources management targets and objectives. The position is located within the Operational Support and Advisory Service (OSAS) of the Human Resources Services Division. OSAS serves as the client-facing arm at UNHQ supporting clients in fulfilling their mandates. Under its assessed funding, OSAS’ specific mandate is to support Secretariat clients in the exercise of their delegation of authority, which includes ERP system support on the HR business side. The incumbent would report to the Chief of OSAS or to another designated official within the Service.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Resources Officer will be responsible for the following duties: General • Serves as the primary liaison and support focal point for all matters pertaining to UNJSPF, liaising with other experts and advisors in the areas of non-staff, Umoja, advisory, legal, policy simplification, sharing draft process guides, advising on the UNJSPF regulatory framework, and other areas of requirement for UNJSPF. • Establishes collaborative relationships with all relevant internal and external partners and leverages to the maximum extent possible the full capabilities of the Human Resources Services Division in addressing UNJSPF requirements. Advisory Services and Client Relations Management • Supports entity in the development of entity specific policies and processes, including relevant change management and culture initiatives. • Provides proactive and innovative approaches to the delivery of human resources services in consultation HR. • Provides advice and guidance in relation to the interpretation and implementation of Staff Regulations, Rules and policies and on risks associated with new processes or guidance documents, which includes those pertaining to non-staff personnel and related risks. • Provides advice on complex performance management issues to managers and HR. • Provides advice on the appropriate usage of all types of staff categories and non-staff capacities throughout the Secretariat in the context of operational workforce planning. • Supports formal and informal conflict prevention and resolution, including specialized advice on other issues related to the formal and informal system of administration of justice, including cases submitted for management evaluation. Operational Support • Coordinates with supported entities to ensure that their evolving needs are addressed in the context of the development and implementation of new human resources policies, practices, and procedures. • Assists supported entities in meeting critical human resources management strategic and operational indicators by identifying best practices and lessons learned and advising on their application and suitability to local contexts. • Supports entities in the development and implementation of an entity-specific operational workforce planning strategy and associated recruitment plans. • Provides advice on the timely filling of posts in accordance with established policies and procedures. • Provides guidance on the efficiency and effectiveness of various systems and processes. Business Process Improvement • Provides feedback on and identification of requirements for continuous process improvements and adaptation to policies and processes based on operational requirements and trends. • In consultation with client, reviews pain points in business processes with a view to eliminating them while advocating for changes in policies, processes, and systems and while proactively looking to fill gaps in processes. Knowledge Management • Provides advice on the establishment, maintenance, and utilization of knowledge and/or information management systems related to human resources. • Develops guidance packages (e.g., Standard Operating Procedures, templates, lessons learned, etc.) on operational human resources matters for the global human resources community.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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.Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Judgment/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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary

Education

An Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in human resources management, business or public administration, law, social sciences, education or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration or a related area is required. Experience with an international organization providing policy advice on human resources management matters to senior level officials is required. Experience with an international organization in the development of HR policies and HR policy guidance is required. Experience with an international organization managing large HR projects is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position will be available for 1 year. 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 Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. • Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. • 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.