Chief, HR Policies and Development Division

Vacancy Announcement

Chief, HR Policies and Development Division, P-5

Amman, Jordan

Deadline for Applications

16 July 2018

Duration

2 years, with the possibility of further extension

Vacancy Announcement Number

18-HQ-AM-28

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed professionals wishing to make a change.

UNRWA’s strategic objectives

The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health.

Do you want to make a lasting difference? 

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. In this role, you will manage the Human Resources Policies and Development Division (HRPDD), planning and coordinating the Division’s work objectives covering the areas of HR policy, organizational learning and staff development, staff well-being, as well as HR legal services. 

The main responsibilities include:

•         Managing the Human Resources Policies and Development Division (HRPDD); planning and coordinating the Division’s work objectives ensuring that comprehensive objectives and work plans are established and met; identifying and resolving any operational/management issues affecting the quality of services provided by the Division;

•         Developing human resources (HR) policies, practices and procedures to meet the evolving Agency needs in the context of strategic planning, goals and objectives and providing proactive and innovative approaches and guidelines on the interpretation and implementation of the Agency’s policies and procedures related to the delivery of human resources services in consultations with stakeholders across the Agency at HQ, field and Executive Management level;

•         Preparing rules, policy, position papers and proposals representing UNRWA’s views on human resources issues and reforms in all areas of HR including recruitment/staffing, staff development, performance management, grievances and HR legal, HR services, benefits and entitlements and staff wellbeing to ensure contemporary, UN-aligned HR practices across UNRWA; providing advice to Field and HQ management in line with the policies and guidelines ensuring consistent application across the Agency and undertaking applicable reviews of HR practices in Fields and HQ; 

•         Leading, providing supervision and guidance on the assessment, design, development, planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the Agency’s organizational learning and staff development and staff wellbeing policies and strategies to build capacity agency-wide; ensuring the coordination of organizational learning and staff development activities at the operational level (Fields and Headquarters);

•         Leading and directing the work of subordinate staff in relation to appeals and grievances; in close collaboration with DLA contributing to designing, maintaining and updating the administrative and employment law systems for Agency staff;

•         Representing HRD in inter-agency meetings and inter-agency cooperation projects as assigned by DHR; holding consultations with staff unions, government representative or inter-agency officials or missions as instructed; Acting for the Director during his or her absence, with full responsibility for HRD when designated by DHR.

•         Keeping abreast of wider UN issuances and international best practices and trends by liaising with professional peers, attending meetings and seminars, conducting research and analysing the impact of such developments and issuances on the Agency’s HR strategies, policies and procedures; reviewing and updating the Agency’s Staff Rules and Regulations and policy issuances accordingly.

Conditions of service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $85,543 net tax free with post adjustment of 46.1% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

•  Dependency allowances

•  Rental subsidy

•  Education grant for children

•  Home leave travel

•  6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave

•  Pension fund entitlements under the

    UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

•  International health insurance; optional

    life insurance

•  Disability protection

Additional information

Work beyond regular hours will be required, as will some travel within UNRWA's area of operations.

To qualify for this position, you will need:

Education

An advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in human resources management, public or business administration, law or a related area such as social or behavioral science; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work

experience

A minimum of 10 years of relevant and progressive/varied human resources experience, including a minimum of 5 years in the UN system, or in international or governmental institutions at a senior supervisory level. A minimum of 4 years related to human resources regulatory framework design and international experience outside your home country or regular place of residence.

Language(s)

Excellent command of spoken and written English.

You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:

•         Leading and Supervising

•         Formulating Strategies and Concepts

•         Relating and Networking

•         Planning and Organizing

•         Persuading and Influencing

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:

            https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

How to apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General information

UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality at all times. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

Date of issue: 26 June 2018/ LAN