HR Officer, NO-A,TA, Nairobi, Kenya, ESARO

UNICEF is looking for a candidate who will coordinate emergency staffing responses and implement regional surge capacity in line with strategic objectives. He/she will act as the focal person for Emergency Preparedness, Early Warning Early Action (EWEA), to assure rapid deployment of personnel to emergency locations. He/she will also manage the Regional Rapid Response Mechanism (RRRM) and emergency related rosters; co-ordinate regional HR initiatives supporting emergency preparedness; review EWEA plans of Country Offices including staff mobility plans; support offices in identifying staff well-being and psychosocial support mechanisms for staff in addition to trainings.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, [insert tagline]

[Include information about the country/specific programme. Ideally include a link to a video]

How can you make a difference?

In support of the ESARO Emergency ROMP, and in line with global policy on Level 2 and 3 emergencies, the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, Cluster approach and the IASC Transformative Agenda; and under the supervision of the Regional Chief, Human Resources Section and in close collaboration with the Regional Emergency Advisor, the incumbent will coordinate emergency staffing responses and implement regional surge capacity in line with strategic objectives. He/she will act as the focal person for Emergency Preparedness, Early Warning Early Action (EWEA), to assure rapid deployment of personnel to emergency locations. He/she will also manage the Regional Rapid Response Mechanism (RRRM) and emergency related rosters; co-ordinate regional HR initiatives supporting emergency preparedness; review EWEA plans of Country Offices including staff mobility plans; support offices in identifying staff well-being and psychosocial support mechanisms for staff in addition to trainings.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the Regional Rapid Reponses Mechanism (RRRM) as per its Standard Operating Procedures. In collaboration with Regional Technical Advisors, identify, screen and maintain a regional emergency response capacity of staff members in relevant functional areas to rapidly deploy to emergencies, map and build regional capacity of concerned staff to respond to emergencies.
• In coordination with the Regional Emergency Section, review CO Staff Mobilization Plans in the Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) site, key action number 10, on a continuous basis to ensure appropriate and current levels of preparedness.
• Monitor, analyse and evaluate staff mobilization during an emergency response. Draft and circulate surge capacity updates on the progress being made. Ensure appropriate knowledge management by drafting lessons learned and best practice documents on medium and large-scale emergency response, using the staffing information evaluated.
• During emergencies, attend operational and strategic meetings and conference calls, analyze and coordinate surge capacity response, liaise with the Emergency Unit in DHR and other Regional HR Officers regarding status of surge capacity requests, candidate availability, and staff mobilization throughout the region. Maintain operational staffing matrixes for individual emergencies.
• Identify regional emergency training needs and initiate emergency training for ESAR based professionals on the roster and new surge capacity candidates. Develop emergency Terms of References for surge capacity assignments when necessary; Undertake internal emergency staffing reporting as well as comment on donor reports and external evaluations as it relates to emergency human resources deployments. Based on continuous monitoring of all surge capacity in the region, track and analyse trends within surge deployments and mechanisms to prepare reports as directed.
• Consolidate and monitor all HR surge capacity needs for Country Offices affected by emergencies via the Operational Staffing Matrix (OSM); with relevant stakeholders before the deadlines.
• Based on continuous monitoring of all surge capacity in the region, track and analyse trends within surge deployments and mechanisms to prepare reports as directed.
• Perform other HR-related duties as required for countries affected by emergencies.​

Key expected Results

The position is responsible for the following key results:

• A strong, proactive and fast-paced coordination of surge responses that support quick deployments of human resources to emergency responses
• Regularly updated and relevant rosters to support emergency responses (internal and external rosters)
• Proactive advice and support to emergency country offices on a range of HR matters to facilitate timely completion of processes and decision making on HR matters at country level
• Timely submission of monitoring reports, analytical reports and contribution to various internal documents and meetings.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, International Relations, or another related field of study.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience;  relevant experience of HR in emergency operation is highly desirable; experience at a professional level is a strong asset;
• Experience and familiarity with UNICEF HR policies and procedures. Proven knowledge of Fast-Track / simplified HR processes a strong asset;
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. Knowledge of French/Portuguese is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.