Human Resources Officer

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

Under the direct supervision of the SDC Human Resources Specialist, the Human Resources Officer delivers high-quality and consistent delivery of effective HR services (recruitment, contract and performance management of talent) to the client office, ensuring full compliance with UN rules and regulations, UNOPS policies and procedures and internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in HR management. Under the guidance, the HR Officer provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR issues in a collaborative, client-oriented manner.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Support to policy development and implementation

2. Advisory Services

3. Talent Acquisition and Administration

4. Team Management

5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Support to policy development and implementation

• Contribute to HR policy development and corporate HR initiatives by compiling and maintaining data on trends, risks and opportunities and sharing local HR best practices.
• Provide technical or administrative services in support of HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy.
• Generate strategic and operational workforce data for planning, including related statistical summaries and movements of UNOPS personnel within the relevant business unit/s.
• Communicate HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to management and personnel, providing guidance as needed.

2. Advisory Services

• Provide guidance on HR related systems and processes including but not limited to Recruitment, Contracts, Position Management, Benefits and Entitlements consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.
• Provide advice and answers to personnel on routine cases for HR services such as the performance appraisal process, learning & development activities, contracts, benefits, entitlements and remuneration and career development.
• Assist to provide guidance as needed on sensitive matters including grievances, potential violations in code of conduct, harassment, abuse, workplace disputes, performance improvement plans, complex employee relations matters, etc.
• Encourage line management responsibility for implementation of HR policies and effective team management, encouraging dialogue and two-way constructive feedback.
• Collaborate with leadership to support institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.

3. Talent Acquisition and Administration

• Implement talent acquisition activities in line with UNOPS policies and processes covering Recruitment, Onboarding, Performance Management, Learning and Development, Change Management, Salary and Benefit administration, Contract Administration, Succession Planning and Out-processing.
• Administer contracts, entitlements, loans, exchanges, and secondments. Inform and advise UNOPS personnel, consultants, partners and project personnel on their conditions of service and entitlements according to their contract modality, expediting actions to facilitate their efficient, timely, and client-focused onboarding.
• Support recruitment processes ensuring best practices are used for effective and efficient talent acquisition in line with UNOPS policy. Utilize and maintain recruitment plans, tools and policy guidance to efficiently and effectively recruit and retain a diverse workforce to meet the needs of the business objectives. Maintain personnel rosters.
• Provide technical inputs into, and organize straightforward components of, regional and national personnel realignment exercises, including job fairs, to ensure timely competency elaboration, sourcing, selection, placement of required talent and transitions as well as due process.
• Identify key talent areas and provide elements of coherent, well-developed plans for obtaining, developing, and managing critical talent. Utilize recruitment plans, tools and policy guidance to efficiently and effectively recruit and retain a diverse workforce to meet the needs of the business objectives.
• Liaise with UNOPS' HR related groups on personnel administration matters.
• Guide business units in engagement and work enrichment initiatives and development of annual training plans.

4. Team Management

• Support efficient planning of the HR unit, including drafting annual recruitment plans, implementing designated projects in line with the corporate HR strategy, overseeing personnel file systems as well as provision of related statistical summaries and tracking movements of UNOPS personnel within relevant business unit/s.

5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel and other personnel on HR-related topics.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
• Substantively contribute to the planning and development of the HR components of the office annual report.
• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and put to use productively.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) preferably in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences.
• Or a First University degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in or related fields combined with 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience required:

• A minimum of one year of experience in professional-level recruitment and/or HR generalist services in an international, public or corporate organization.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (Google suite, MS Office)

Experience desirable: The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply

• Some experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Experience in UNOPS is desirable

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another, official UN language is desirable

Others

• It is required to be able to perform the functions during New York working hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday)
• The selected candidate will have to have access to internet connection and computer from the home-based location.