Senior Advisor, Human Resources

Position description

The Senior Advisor, Human Resources is critical to the daily operations of the Human Resources Branch (HRB), supporting and advising the Head, HRB in providing comprehensive, consistent, and strategic guidance on a wide range of HR matters, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities. This role manages the portfolios and posts under HR policy, organisational design, staff relations, data and risk management as well as business continuity, ensuring the Head, HRB is kept up-to-date. Additionally, the role leads HR and cross-functional projects, at the request of the Head, HRB.

Human Resources Strategy And Policy:

• Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with organisational priorities, biennial programmes, budgets, and best practices in people management;
• Provide consistent solutions-oriented advice and interpretation of HR policies, fostering effective collaboration within HRB and throughout the Organisation;
• Promote actively knowledge transfer by sharing HR expertise and best practices, providing regular updates and communications as well as by encouraging development;
• Evaluate and review HR policies and practices to ensure clarity and efficiencies while promoting compliance with administrative law; coordinate and draft inputs to governing documents.

Human Resources Advisory And Representational Services:

• Support the Head, HRB in day-to-day HR operations, ensuring strong client-orientation, process consistency, compliance, and continual improvement;
• Advise managers and staff throughout the employee lifecycle, interpersonal matters as well as performance management by recognising excellence and addressing performance issues;
• Represent the Head, HRB in committees, boards, and panels (e.g., recruitment, selection), and liaise with external stakeholders, including national authorities, as directed;
• Provide strategic guidance on organisational design to optimise workforce structures and to enable delivery of long-term objectives.

Engagement, Culture And Staff Relations:

• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture through employee engagement initiatives and mentoring colleagues;
• Address complex employee concerns with discretion, keeping the Head, HRB informed and escalating when necessary;
• Oversee grievance procedures, investigations, and disciplinary actions in collaboration with the Office of Legal Adviser and under the guidance of the Head, HRB;
• Collaborate with the Health and Safety Branch, managers and staff on return-to-work plans and related initiatives. Oversee the development of communication and learning opportunities to promote and maintain respectful dialogue and a professional work environment;
• Facilitate constructive dialogue when performance and interpersonal concerns arise, assess risk, propose solutions and seek advice from the Head, HRB when necessary.

Compliance And Reporting:

• Monitor and share internal and external HR trends, including those within the UN Common System;
• Generate data-driven reports to inform decision-making and senior management discussions;
• Ensure compliance with governing documents, audit recommendations, and best practices and other legal requirements;
• Monitor risks and business continuity needs, discussing with Head, HRB.

HR Projects:

• Lead and execute HR projects and cross-functional initiatives as directed by the Head, HRB;
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance workflow efficiencies, streamline processes and ensure regular communication of modified or new processes;
• Deputise for the Head, HRB when required.

Qualifications And Experience

Education

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field;
• A first level university degree in a related filed in combination with a minimum of 9 years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human resources with at least three years of experience in two of the following fields: organisational design, staff relations, policy development, diversity or inclusion;
• Proven experience in managing complex staff relations and conduct matters;
• Experience in successfully leading others;
• Practical knowledge in the dispute resolution process as well as knowledge of the investigative process;
• A minimum of four years experience working for an international organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading change management or complex process improvement projects;
• Previous experience working on internal appeals as well as submissions to an external appellate body such as the International Labour Organisation Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT);
• Familiarity with organisational design and data analysis and interpretation is an asset;
• Previous professional experience on workplace wellbeing, culture and inclusion portfolios;
• Extensive experience in HR management, including policy development, staff relations, and organisational development;
• Certification in mediation and/or project and/or change management;
• Previous experience within international or tenure-based organisations is highly desirable;
• Exposure to risk management and business continuity frameworks;
• Professional working experience outside of your home country/permanent residence would be an asset.

Application instructions

To apply, a completed application, in English, must be submitted through the OPCW online recruitment platform. Applications are due no later than 11:59 pm (GMT +1) on Sunday, 23 March 2025.