General Information

Position Title
HR Assistant
Job Category
Human Resources
Duty Station(s)
Colombo
Seniority Level
Entry Level
ICS Level
ICS 04
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Support - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 4
Posting Start Date
28-Apr-2026
Posting End Date
12-May-2026
Duration
Maternity cover - 6 months

Job Highlight

Drive impactful HR services by providing essential support across talent, strategy, and operations.

About the Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Job Specific Context

*IMPORTANT*

-This vacancy is for the HR Assistant (Maternity Leave Cover) role.

-The duration is for a 6 months period.

Role Purpose

The HR Assistant performs assigned tasks across the broad array of HR service lines provided to Office personnel. The incumbent is responsible for the information with internal clients and ensures consistent HR service delivery.

Functions / Key Results Expected

HR Service Implementation

  • Review recruitment requests for international consultants, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and compliance with recruitment policies and procedures. Track request status and proactively follow up to support timely processing.
  • Draft and prepare Offers of Appointment/Assignment and supporting documentation for the signature of designated officials.
  • Monitor each stage of the recruitment process, identifying delays or issues for prompt escalation to the HR Lead.
  • Guide clients and partners on the interpretation and application of recruitment policies and procedures. Maintain and update recruitment systems to support accurate data entry and statistical reporting.
  • Address HR-related queries from personnel, including employment and recruitment status inquiries.
  • Prepare and submit visa and permit applications in coordination with the United Nations.
  • Input and extract data from HR information systems (HRIS) to support personnel processes.
  • Verify HR-related claims and benefits for accuracy and alignment with applicable personnel rules and regulations.
  • Support the HR Lead in monitoring contract statuses and preparing contract renewals, within-grade increment schedules, and personnel action forms (PAFs) in a timely manner.
  • Maintain attendance registers, leave records, Duty Station Allowance (DSA) forms, and other relevant reports.
  • Ensure all personnel files are up to date and contain complete documentation.
  • Search, retrieve and compile HR statistical data for internal use and reporting.
  • Collect and maintain updated information on training opportunities, including schedules, curricula, and associated costs across providers.


Knowledge Building and Sharing

  • Actively participate in HR-related training and capacity-building initiatives for personnel.
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and Communities of Practice (CoPs)

Skills

Human Resources Policies, Human Resources Information Systems, Office Administration, Human Resources Operations

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Secondary school (or equivalent) with 4 years of relevant experience OR
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.


Desired

  • A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Human Resource Management (HRM) is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in any area of Human Resource Management (HRM). 
  • Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required.


Desired

  • Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
  • Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.


Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
Sinhalese Fluent Desirable
Tamil Basic Desirable

Additional Information

  • 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.
 
Terms and Conditions
  • 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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.