Senior HR Project Coordinator

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior HR Project Coordinator

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The position is located within the Division of Human Resources (DHR). The Division¿s mission statement indicates that DHR is a strategic, trusted and innovative business partner in enabling UNHCR to protect and respond to persons of concern by attracting, motivating, retaining and developing a talented, diverse and agile workforce, while nurturing a culture of excellence, respect and wellbeing for all.

The Senior HR Project Coordinator is part of the Director¿s Office team and directly supports the Director and the Senior HR management team in steering the transformation of DHR prescribed by the Human Resources (HR) review.

The HR review resulted from a recommendation of the HQ Review report (2017) in an effort to drive change and efficiency. The HR review, which was endorsed by the High Commissioner in May 2018, is closely aligned with the Organization¿s Strategic Directions 2017-2021 and also supports the implementation of the People Strategy. The HR Review affirmed the critical need for a transition from a mainly reactive and transactional HR service to one that positions DHR as a strategic partner to operations that is able to identify and anticipate staffing needs. The transformation requires a different organizational model that is field driven, with established HR priorities, available HR expertise, aligned accountabilities, simplified processes, documented and coordinated, with robust systems in place and clarity on where to seek help.

DHR elaborated five interlinked strategic priorities in support of the transformation: strategic partner to operations; effective workforce management; equipped leaders; enabling work environment and culture; and robust foundations for HR delivery. A pillar of this transformation is the creation of HR regional field teams, planned for mid-2019, which will place strategic HR services closer to operations and personnel to better meet the needs and know the local and international staff and affiliate workforce. DHR has also used the recommendations of the HR review to inform its 2019 plan and budget, outlined a roadmap for the implementation of its recommendations, and initiated a structural reconfiguration to support these changes.

The incumbent works closely across DHR and with the DHR Resource Management Unit as well as having regular contacts with the Change Management team, the HR network, HR regional field teams, Divisions, Bureaux and interlocutors outside UNHCR.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
MAIN DUTIES

- Under the guidance of the Director and Senior DHR management team, coordinate the follow up to the implementation and monitoring of the overall progress of the HR transformation by the different services and sections, including through the development and updating of project management tools and tracking of key performance indicators.
- Ensure synchronization and consistency of the various components of the project by coordinating with senior and middle management staff in DHR and to support a cross Divisional approach.
- Keep the Director and DHR senior management informed of substantial issues for their decision making/actions to ensure the effective implementation of the HR transformation.
- Identify and propose potential adjustments and mitigation measures in coordination with services concerned.
- Work closely with the DHR Resource Management Unit so that resource planning exercises reflect progress and financial requirements for a successful and timely HR transformation.
- Support the Director in liaising with Change Management team, other Divisions, Bureaux and the field, to ensure coherence with broader change initiatives within the organization.
- Engage with the HR network, HR regional field teams and interlocutors outside UNHCR, as required, in order to incorporate feedback, best practices, lessons learned and trends beneficial to a successful HR transformation.
- Work closely with the HR Communication Officer to ensure messaging consistency on the HR transformation.
- Provide updates and contribute to the development of communication products on the HR transformation for a diverse audience, including senior management, staff at large and external counterparts.
- Perform other related tasks as required.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of Master's) in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources, International Relations, Political Science or related field, OR university degree in another field combined with a professional qualification in  project management plus minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Solid knowledge of UNHCR operations, Headquarters and organizational culture.
- Experience in project management or human resources.
- Excellent and demonstrated communication, planning and coordination skills.
- Fluency in English, including strong drafting skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of another UN language, in particular French.
- Fair knowledge of reporting and annual programming requirements within the UN/UNHCR system.
- Experience in UNHCR field operations. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).