Human Resources Officer

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.

Human Resources Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Human Resources Officer will function under direct supervision of the Representative or his/her Deputy responsible for Administration. Incumbent will manage all HR related activities within the country/ operation, through direct supervision, coaching and guidance to all staff responsible for the personnel administration and other HR related matters.  He/she will assist the Representative and provide expert input in the staffing and budget reviews, in the process of recruitment and appointment of staff, and in the performance management and staff welfare issues. Incumbent will have direct working relationship with the staff-related services in UNHCR, such as the Personnel Administration & Payroll Section (PAPS), Talent Outreach & Acquisition Section (TOAS), Assignments & Promotion Section (APS), Performance Management Unit (PMU), Career Management Section (CMS), Staff Health & Welfare Service (SHWS) and Global Learning Centre (GLC). He/she will also maintain contact and close cooperation with other UN agencies in the country.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- UNHCR adheres to the strategic approach in recruiting, placing, supporting and developing our people as defined by the People Strategy.
- UNHCR recruits, contracts and deploys staff and makes sufficient use of affiliate workforce in the country to meet its current and future operational needs and in a manner that promotes career development and respects diversity.
- The workforce in the country is aware of the Code of Conduct and acts with integrity.
- The workforce in the country is well-informed of and understands the organisation¿s human resources policies and practices.
- UNHCR¿s learning programmes and activities build the competencies of its workforce to meet the needs of the country operations and staff career goals.
- UNHCR provides a healthy, safe and respectful working environment for its workforce in the country.

Responsibility
- Implement workforce management strategy for the country operation that is in line with the regional and global strategy. Participate in the preparation of the annual operations programme review submissions.
- Ensure timely advertisement and filling of the vacancies. Facilitate the work of the local Assignments Committee (AC) and provide guidance to managers in preparing their submissions for the AC review. Ensure proper consideration is given to applicants from all layers and communities of the local society.
- Manage and directly supervise process of recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures, including those related to diversity. Control the maintenance of the personnel records in the office, as well as of the attendance, overtime and leave records.
- Provide support, guidance and training to administrative staff performing personnel administration related functions.
- Participate in the review of the training needs of the staff, making appropriate proposals to meet identified needs and liaise with the GLC as required.
- Brief newly arrived international staff on related administrative formalities and ensure all arrangements are made for onward travel, if applicable. Ensure efficient processing of residence permits and other administrative formalities upon their arrival to and departure from the country.
- Maintain liaison with the support sections and divisions at headquarters, specifically with DHRM, on matters related to planning and management of staffing resources, as well as to recruitment and personnel administration support, medical and other issues of staff welfare and safety.
- Provide guidance and counselling to ensure that UNHCR¿s workforce in the country has a sound awareness of UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations (including the Code of Conduct) and is aware of its rights and obligations as well as benefits and entitlements.
- Pursue measures to ensure cooperation and dialogue between the management and workforce within the country operation. Promote the use of calibration exercises to ensure comprehensive, impartial and objective performance appraisal of the staff in the operation.
- Ensure that all staff and dependants in the country operation can access adequate health care as per UNHCR¿s guidelines and policies. In consultation with SHWS, identify UN/HCR local physician. Manage UNHCR medical insurance plan. Ensure support to staff and dependants in case of medical evacuation.
- Act as the focal point for the HR aspect of the security evacuation plan, ensuring relocations/evacuations are managed and administered in line with the provisions of the UN Security Management System Policy. Ensure daily tracking mechanism is in place to provide accurate information on staff and families in case of emergency.
- In close cooperation with the Administrative Officer, ensure that the residential and office accommodation are managed in line with the organizational policies and any related issues are brought to the attention of the Senior Staff Accommodation Officer at HQ.
- Participate in the ICSC survey on living conditions and classification of duty stations as well as in the UN Country Team local staff salary survey and other local inter-agency HR-related fora and initiatives.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Authority
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's human resources policies (e.g. policies on gender, disabilities, diversity, ethics and HIV/AIDS), the UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations, as well as with the performance appraisal and management system.
- Audit MSRP/HR entries made by local staff with access to MSRP/HR module.
- Issue and extend contracts for locally recruited staff.
- Clear payments related to personnel issues such as settlement of travel claims, overtime claims, hazard pay, MIP reimbursements, medical and security evacuations, shipment costs.
- Represent UNHCR in the working groups/task forces within the UN inter-agency mechanism on coordination of salary surveys, staff safety and welfare concerns.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Human Resources Management/Administration, Law or similar disciplines plus minimum 6 years of previous relevant work experience in progressively responsible functions in an office that administer/manage a large number of staff, preferably within the UN. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes and exposure to provision of support services in an international organization. Exposure to UNHCR field operations is essential.
-      Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.


DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of UN/UNHCR field operational realities, especially in hardship duty stations.
- Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations is an asset.
- High IT affinity and working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP HR module, as well as with MSRP Financials and Focus.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Human Resources Officer positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. 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
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3 <p>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.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== The Human Resources Officer will function under direct supervision of the Senior Admin/Finance Officer.

Strong skills and experience in HR management and personnel administration.

Experience in international and local recruitment, recruitment of AWF and acting as ex-officio in assignment committees.

Solid knowledge of UN Staff Rules and Regulations as well as UNHCR Staff Administration and Management principles, in order to provide the needed advice and guidance on policy issues.

Good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes and exposure to provision of support services in an international organization. Exposure to UNHCR field operations is essential.

The incumbent will be expected to spearhead internal change management approach in restructuring of a large operation therefore knowledge and familiarity with FOCUS and MSRP/HR is essential.

The HR Unit in Bogota is responsible for the staffing planning in coordination with the Field Offices, implementation and monitoring of all Human Resources and staff welfare related activities within the whole operation.

The incumbent should also possess strong interpersonal, networking, negotiating skills and diplomatic skills.

Excellent verbal and written proficiency in English. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

PHRM-1 or PHRM-2 Certificate is an advantage. UNHCR Colombia, which traditionally was an IDP focused operation, is shifting to a mixed operation addressing new IDP situations despite the ongoing peace process, and increasing arrival of Venezuelans and Colombian returnees.

UNHCR Colombia is one of the countries piloting the Multi-Year Multi-Partner Protection and Solutions Strategy. UNHCR Colombia¿s operational vision for the next three years (2018-2020) is that with the support of UNHCR, civil society, communities and other actors, the Colombian State ensures that people of concern to UNHCR live increasingly safe and secure lives in their communities and progressively attain durable solutions, including access to rights (economic and social integration and truth, reparation, and justice), applying a community-based protection and AGD sensitive approach.

After 50 years of conflict, the Government of Colombia and the FARC reached a peace agreement and prepared a pathway to an end to the conflict which has resulted in more than 7 million IDPs representing 88% of the more than 8 million victims of the conflict (Government figures).

It is under this operational context that the Colombian government, donor countries and the UN are working on a post-conflict agenda. This includes an increased emphasis on finding durable solutions for displaced populations within and outside Colombia. One of UNHCR¿s main challenges is to work with the government and UN (development) agencies on comprehensive solutions while maintaining a focus on and providing visibility of the impact of the continuous violence generated by illegal armed groups and ongoing forced displacement in various regions of the country. Colombia is becoming a country of transit and destination for asylum-seekers, refugees, and migrants. According to Colombia¿s Migration authorities, there were over 550,000 Venezuelans remaining in Colombia at the end of 2017. It is expected that the number of new arrivals will continue, including those in need of international protection. There are also increasing number of Colombian returnees and mixed families among the outflows from Venezuela.

The main protection risks facing the vulnerable Venezuelans include: lack of documentation, risk of refoulement, lack of access to health and education, SGBV, trafficking, forced recruitment, and xenophobia.  

UNHCR supports the Government¿s efforts to enhance its asylum system and respond to the humanitarian and protection needs of Venezuelans. At national level, UNHCR co-leads (together with IOM) the Inter-Agency Border Group to coordinate humanitarian actors¿ support to the situation. There is no robust registration system in place to address the increasing number of Venezuelan arrivals, ensure effective individual case management, and referral pathways to service providers.

UNHCR, together with IOM, supports the nation-wide government-led registration exercise started on 6 April 2018 through technical, material, and human resources contribution.

UNHCR Colombia has a Branch Office in Bogota, which oversees three Sub Offices in Cucuta, Medellin, and Pasto and a Field Office in Barranquilla. Each Sub Office oversees two field offices: SO Cucuta oversees FO Arauca and FO Riohacha; SO Medellin oversees FO Quibdo and FO Apartado; SO Pasto oversees FO Buenaventura and FO Mocoa. Bogota is an A category duty station.

Colombia is a large country (1,141,748 km2); its population rises to 47,000,000 citizens.

Located 2,600 meters above the sea level, Bogota is the capital of the country, with almost 8,000,000 inhabitants.

National and different international banks have offices in Bogota, and ATMs can be found all around the city.
Temperatures in Bogota vary from 3°C to 23 °C.

Very good health facilities can be found in Bogota and in other capital cities in the country.

Bogota offers a huge amount of leisure and cultural activities; interesting museums, libraries, parks, cinemas, very good restaurants.

A number of international schools are located in Bogota. The Colombian Military Forces have gained control of urban areas and main connection routes, improving general security conditions through the country and forcing illegal armed groups inland, however armed confrontations continue in some areas.

Safety and security issues continue to be a concern. Though the situation improved significantly in recent years, common crime and isolated attacks by illegal armed groups continue to affect important cities.

Staff must ensure to count with functioning communication means with the UN Security and keep abreast of the security situation in the capital or any travel inland through the normal channels of communication.

All official missions are to be conducted with full compliance to MOSS requirements, considering destination, transportation selected and activities carried out.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this Flash Vacancy is Tuesday 18 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time).