HR Associate

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management. As a trusted partner to governments and development stakeholders, UNOPS aligns its interventions with national priorities, helping countries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-driven support.

Based in Panama City, Panama, the UNOPS Office of the Regional Director (ORD) for Latin America and the Caribbean provides strategic leadership and coordination across the region, enabling effective delivery of UNOPS’ mandate. Through portfolio oversight, integrated risk management, and the mobilization of expertise and resources, the ORD ensures regional coherence and operational excellence. The office supports country teams in aligning activities with organizational goals, strengthening the impact and efficiency of development efforts. It also leads regional positioning and representation in high-level forums, advancing visibility and engagement with key stakeholders. In close collaboration with other regional offices and headquarters, the ODR fosters cross-regional learning, promotes innovation, and drives strategic initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under the supervision of the Regional Advisor, the HR Associate supports the deployment of regional HR strategies by contributing to data-driven analysis, process improvements, and the implementation of HR initiatives across the region. The role uses HR data and KPIs to identify bottlenecks and support faster and more consistent service delivery. In addition, it provides flexible operational and surge support to the regional HR team and field offices, as required.

1.Regional Data, Analysis, and Reporting

• Maintain and update regional HR data and datasets to support planning and decision-making.

• Analyse HR KPIs (e.g. time-to-hire, turnover, performance compliance, learning progress) to identify trends, gaps, and bottlenecks.

• Support the development and maintenance of HR dashboards and reports using ERP and HR information systems (HRIS).

• Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations, and briefing materials with clear and actionable insights.

2. Process Improvement, Projects, and Operational Support

• Contribute to the implementation of regional HR initiatives aligned with corporate priorities.

• Review and map HR processes to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement and standardisation.

• Contribute to the development and update of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Assist in the implementation of HR projects and system improvements (e.g. HRIS tools, process enhancements).

• Monitor HR data quality and track key deadlines and deliverables across the region.

3. Surge Support and Regional Talent Acquisition

• Provide surge support to the regional HR team and field offices facing high recruitment volumes or capacity gaps, as required and agreed.

• Assist in key stages of the recruitment process (e.g. longlisting, interview coordination, documentation review), ensuring consistency and quality.

• Coordinate with the Shared Services Centre (SSC) on personnel administration matters, supporting smooth and timely processing.

4. Regional Retainer Pools — Management and HR Focal Point

• Manage administrative aspects of regional retainer contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures.

• Act as HR focal point for retainer personnel, providing guidance on contractual conditions, fees, and related processes.

• Coordinate and track payment processes for retainer personnel, ensuring accuracy and timely execution.

5. HR Business Partnering (Regional Office)

• Provide day-to-day HR support to personnel in the regional office across key areas such as recruitment, contract management, performance management, and learning.

• Support the communication and clarification of HR policies, processes, and initiatives to regional office personnel.

• Assist in addressing HR-related queries and requests, ensuring timely and consistent responses.

• Provide back-up support within the HR team, as required.

6. Knowledge Sharing and HR Network Support

• Contribute to the sharing of HR knowledge, tools, and good practices across the regional HR network.

• Support the coordination of knowledge-sharing sessions or communities of practice, as required.

• Assist in the delivery of guidance and basic training on HR processes and systems to field office personnel.

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.

• Relevant certifications in Human Resources, data analytics, information systems, or related fields are an asset.

Required

• Relevant experience in Human Resources Management (HRM), including exposure to data analysis and/or process improvement.

• Experience using collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, Google Workspace) and web-based management systems.

Desired

• Experience supporting HR projects or initiatives (e.g. HRIS implementation, process improvements).

• Experience working in multicultural environments or within international or development organizations.

• Experience supporting coordination of HR processes across multiple teams, offices, or locations is an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.