Head of Unit (Affiliate Partnerships)

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.

Head  of Unit (Affiliate Partnerships)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The position is part of the Division of Human Resources (DHR), whose mission statement indicates that DHR is a strategic, trusted and innovative 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 incumbent of this position supports the UNHCR's People Strategy and contributes to the implementation of the 2018 independent HR review which resulted in the establishment of HR strategic priorities and the reconfiguration and transformation of the Division from a largely transactional model into a strategic business partner for field operations and senior management.

The Head of Unit (Affiliate Partnerships) will contribute to provision of leadership and strategic direction for UNHCR's Talent Mobilisation Strategy especially in the area of affiliate workforce. She/he will function under the direct supervision of the Chief of Section - Affiliate Partnerships and Recruitment Section (APRS) - and will ensure the effective management of the Unit which oversees over 4,000 affiliates and a number of affiliate schemes. As part of the HR strategy, partnerships have been identified as key areas for sourcing talent. In order to achieve the objectives of bringing necessary new resources to the organization, the incumbent will be responsible to develop and strengthen strategic partnerships and manage the different affiliate modalities, i.e. UNOPS, UNV, etc. She/he will develop and update policies and procedures (including guidelines, SOPs, etc.) to respond to identified issues and challenges related to the engagement, management and support of affiliate workforce. The incumbent will also enforce and monitor adherence to relevant policies and procedures and will contribute to UNHCR¿s oversight on the hire of affiliate personnel as part of the organisation¿s efforts to strengthen risk management. She/he will also follow-up and ensure implementation of relevant audit recommendations. She/he will have close working relationships with other Units within APRS, Sections within the Division of Human Resources (DHR), Legal Advice Section (LAS), other HQ Divisions, Bureaux and field operations. She/he will also maintain regular contact and close cooperation with external counterparts and will contribute to building and maintaining partnerships with a broad range of affiliate partners, including but not limited to UNOPS, UNV, other UN agencies, governmental agencies, NGOs, educational institutions and private sector organizations.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR has comprehensive and coordinated strategies, policies and procedures relating to the utilization of affiliate workforce and meets the organization¿s increasingly complex operational challenges.
- Coordination mechanisms are established and effective between UNHCR, other UN organizations, implementing partners, and relevant operational partners so as to maximize collective efforts to manage risks, ensure compliance and maximize quality.
- Coordination with the relevant Services and Sections in DHR (HRSPAS, HROPS, HRSS, SHWS), expert entities at HQ (LAS, IGO, Ethics Office, DFAM), Divisions managing affiliate schemes (DIP, DESS, DPSM, DRS, DER) and with donors and affiliate partners is established and effective.
- UNHCR has good cooperation and collaboration with UNV program, UNOPS and other UN agencies, governmental agencies, NGOs, educational institutions and private sector organizations in order to facilitate deployments.
- Compliance with relevant rules, regulations and agreements is effectively enforced and monitored.

Responsibility
- Develop and strengthen long-term partnerships with companies, foundations and other UN agencies.
- Leverage the capacities of current partnerships in order to build long lasting partnerships that go beyond resources but expand to advocacy, communications, and public engagement.
- Working together with key stakeholders, develop new partnership agreements on deployees, secondees, fellows, etc. to facilitate timely deployments.
- Liaise with all relevant parties (HQ Divisions, LAS, operations, partners) on policies, rules and global entitlements matters for coordination, and update relevant instructions to reflect effective and accountable use of affiliate workforce personnel.
- Monitor effective use of affiliate workforce and compliance with relevant rules, regulations and agreements.
- Assure daily management of all issues/queries about affiliate workforce programs in coordination with the respective HQ Divisions, LAS, Bureaux, field offices and technical sections.
- Provide day to day support for the recruitment and management of UNHCR's affiliate workforce when required.
- Develop policy, providing advice and support to HQ Divisions, Bureaux and field operations in the search/deployment and management of affiliate workforce.
- Provide responses to audit queries and observations and follow up on relevant audit recommendations.
- Participate in various working groups and coordination meetings in relation to the use of affiliate workforce personnel.
- Ensure that reliable and up-to-date data and statistics on UNHCR¿s affiliate personnel are available at all times through the MSRP HR Module for Affiliates.
- Promote training and capacity-building support for affiliate workforce personnel from a global UNHCR workforce strategy perspective.

Authority
- Draft and update policies related to the use and management of affiliate workforce.
- Make decisions on the content of reports and presentations to the Representative and HQs on lessons learnt and root causes to address systemic and recurring high risks or emerging trends on the use of affiliate workforce in the Operations.
- Enforce compliance with the UN/UNHCR rules and regulations on the management and administration of affiliate workforce and affiliate partnerships.
- Represent UNHCR in meetings with affiliate partners (e.g. UNOPS, UNV etc.) and potential partners.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Science or related field plus minimum 8 years of previous relevant work experience at professional level of which 5 years should be in an International capacity. 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.
- Knowledge of UNHCR's relevant policy and procedures and capacity to liaise with multilateral counterparts, including external partners.
- Demonstrated excellent knowledge of human resources principles and best practices specifically in the field of managing affiliate workforce.
- Relevant experience, ability, and judgment to conceptualize, design and implement effective and innovative talent mobilization strategies to meet the workforce and diversity objectives of UNHCR.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively and independently with staff and managers at all levels.
- Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP HR module or any other ERP software.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR/UN field operational realities, including working experience in hardship duty stations.
- Working knowledge of another UN Language. 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
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management 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 them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country 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). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

Please note that the closing date for vancancies in the Addendum 2 is Sunday 16 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time)