Human Resources Officer

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments, and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure, and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 
Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

 The HR Officer reports to the Portfolio Manager and will be a key member of the portfolio management team that provides a range of implementation support services to ensure rapid and compliant delivery of all aspects of the programme, to include administration, procurement, grants, human resources, and finance. In particular, the HR Specialist will focus on HR support to the Individual Contractors (ICA) and Staff, including recruitment, support, and guidance on HR policies, entitlements, and benefits, performance management systems, leave requests and monitoring.

 Summary of Key Functions 

• Effective human resource administration
• Recruitment processes
• Administration of contracts, benefits and entitlements, leave monitoring
• Planning and development
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Detailed functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure full compliance of HR activities with UN rules and regulations, UNOPS policies, procedures and strategies; help establish effective implementation of the internal control and functioning of the portfolio HR service.
  
• Actively work with the portfolio management team to coordinate and implement the different HR work streams, and interact with and support portfolio, within delegated authority.
  
• Within delegated responsibility, manage human resource activities, e.g., recruitment (including annual recruitment plans), drafting job descriptions, obtaining job classification, posting vacancy announcements, assisting hiring managers with screening of candidates, organization of interview panels, placement, separation of personnel, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UNOPS rules and procedures.
  
• Manage and coordinate the preparation of HR work plans, budgeting, and progress monitoring and reporting.
  
• Reviews and coordinates incoming requests relating to recruitments, contract extensions, transfers, exchange or loan, and separation of staff, consultants, or contractors, ensuring documentation is complete and in conformity with HR policies and procedures. 
  
• Develops and implements tracking tools to monitor recruitment status and other indicators for management and recruitment purposes.
  
• Monitors and tracks status of requests, initiating follow-up action to ensure selection review submission is timely, accurate, and contains complete documentation.
  
• Reviews and prepares Requests for Personnel Action (RPA) forms to ensure correct budget allocation, and for separating staff, verification that no financial obligations are due to UNOPS.
  
• Reviews consultants’ qualifications and experience and drafting of Terms of Reference; determining daily remuneration to be paid in accordance with the established fee schedule.
  
• Briefs staff and consultants regarding entry details, conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, privileges and entitlements, and quick action to facilitate their taking up the assignment on a timely basis. 
  
• Prepares offer of appointment as well as the salary/fee computation for review.
  
• Administration of contracts in online systems, including monitoring and tracking of all transactions related to positions, recruitment, HR data, etc. within delegated responsibility.
  
• Liaison with UNOPS HQ HR and Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) as required for contract administration following Standard Operating Procedures.
  
• Preparation and/or review of individual contractor agreement submission requests to Contracts Committees, in accordance with established policy and procedures.
  
• Supports the leave and absences for the Portfolio Team, clients and partners, ensuring that leave records are always correctly maintained and up-to-date (an Audit requirement).
  
• Establishing and managing of the HR roster of CVs for Portfolio, clients and partners.
  
• Establishment and implementation of a system for monitoring and tracking transactions to ensure timely, consistent, and equitable provision of services with a client focus.
  
• Production of statistical reports and preparation of data required for policy and issues papers.
  
• Planning, organizing and making logistical arrangements for workshops, corporate meetings and retreats as directed.
  
• Support to effective learning management and individual learning plans in collaboration with the senior management.
  
• Development and secure maintenance of the HR recording and archiving systems in accordance with UNOPS record retention policies.
  
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in human resources.
  
• Perform other related duties as instructed.

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes knowledge management in UNOPS and a learning environment in the office through personal example.
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Knowledge and experience of project and portfolio management operations and ability to link knowledge to UNOPS HR policies, processes, and frameworks.
• Proven track record of successfully supporting/implementing a broad range of HR support services, ensuring efficient and effective project delivery, adapting to the needs of the client.
• Experience with both ICA and FTA recruitments, including knowledge of what is required from a UNOPS “pre-clearance” perspective and experience from LCPC submissions and deliberations
• Understanding of UNOPS business, operational environment, and its clients as well as the UN mandate.
• Ability to promote integrity and business ethics; demonstrate judgment, trust, and open communication; ability to ensure effective teamwork, collaborative behavior, and team spirit.
• Ability to develop a collaborative relationship with external partners and highly respected by peers and staff throughout the organization as well as by clients and other partners.

Communications and Management

• Demonstrates maturity and an ability to manage partner needs and requests, based on a strong understanding of UNOPS HR processes and systems to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Builds strong relationships with portfolio team and clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Accountability and ability to perform functions under pressure and in a politically sensitive environment, with a proven ability to deal with a complex and demanding client.
• Analytical and communication skills, including the ability to plan and execute multiple parallel HR processes.
• Global mindset with sensitivity to diverse culture/workforce and a high level of energy and enthusiasm for leading a self-financing service organization within the UN system.

Minimum five (5) years with master's degree or seven (7) years post-Bachelor's degree of relevant experience at the national or international level in managing staff and operational systems, including 1 year of UN HR related experience is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The incumbent is responsible for abiding by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE A COVER LETTER INDICATING THEIR MOTIVATION FOR THE POSITION.