Regional HR 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.

Regional Human Resources Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Regional Human Resources Officer will function under direct supervision of the Regional Representative or his/her Deputy responsible for Administration. Incumbent will manage all HR related activities within the region, through direct supervision, coaching and guidance to all staff responsible for the personnel administration and other HR related matters.  He/she will assist the Regional 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 region.

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 region to meet its current and future operational needs and in a manner that promotes career development and respects diversity.
- The workforce in the region is aware of the Code of Conduct and acts with integrity.
- The workforce in the region 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 in the region to meet operational needs and career goals.
- UNHCR provides a healthy, safe and respectful working environment for its workforce in the region.

Responsibility
- Develop and implement a regional workforce management strategy that is in line with the global strategy and policies. Participate in the preparations of the annual operations programme review submissions of the countries in the region.
- Ensure timely advertisement and filling of the vacancies in the region. Guide the functioning of the Regional Assignments Committee (RAC) and provide guidance to managers in preparing their submissions for the Regional AC review. Ensure proper consideration is given to applicants from all layers and communities of the local societies in the countries of the respective region.
- Comply with UNHCR¿s rules and procedures for international professional assignments, managing a process to ensure country operations do the same.
- Provide guidance and supervise process of recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff in the country offices as well as in the regional office, in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures, including those related to diversity. Ensure that each UNHCR country office and the regional office correctly maintain the personnel records, as well as the staff attendance, overtime and leave records. Ensure daily tracking mechanism is in place to provide accurate information on staff and families in case of emergency.
- Provide support, guidance and training to administrative staff in the region 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.
- Promote the use of calibration exercises to ensure comprehensive, impartial and objective performance appraisal of the staff in all country operations of the respective region.
- 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 respective country operation.
- 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 region 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.
- Ensure that all staff and dependants in the region can access adequate health care as per UNHCR¿s guidelines and policies.  Ensure that country offices are capacitated to manage UNHCR medical insurance plan. Ensure support to staff and dependants in case of medical evacuation.
- In close cooperation with the Regional/Administrative Officer, undertake periodic reviews to ensure that the residential and office accommodation in the country operations 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, provide inputs and ensure that UNHCR¿s views are reflected in 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 staff recruited locally within the region.
- Clear or facilitate clearance for 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 country/regional 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 Regional 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
======================================================================================================== Minimum 6 years of previous relevant work experience in responsible functions in an office that administer/manage a large number of staff, within the UN;
University degree in Human Resources Management/Administration, Law or similar disciplines;
Good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes and exposure to provision of support services in an international organization;
Ability to provide training and coaching to local staff;
Prior experience in the region is an advantage;
Good drafting skills
Prior experience with UNHCR in similar functions
Good organisational and political awareness
Experience in the Field and Regional or HQ level an advantage (or dealing with multiple countries)
Experience in offices with diverse and large Affiliate workforce an advantage
Experience in undertaking HR field missions
Experience in emergency response context is an advantage
Experience in interagency HR groups an advantage
Excellent English communications skills (both verbal and written), Spanish working knowledge would be an advantage. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has an international mandate to protect refugees, stateless, IDPs and other persons of concern. The UNHCR Regional Office for Central America, Mexico and Cuba (ROPAN) is located in Panama City.
ROPAN's activities and strategy focus on Central America and Cuba and include the countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, Panama and Cuba; while also closely coordinating with Costa Rica and Mexico. Several of them are currently under emergency declaration as part of the Venezuela, Nicaragua and Central America situation. The region is also receiving some increased funding from a major donor and position creations are foreseen and an increase in the general staffing envelope which will require enhanced position filling activities (assignment and recruitments) in the course 2019. As some of the offices are relatively new (created in 2016), the capacity building of the offices is an important component of the HR work in the region, together with coordination and maintaining coherence in the processes at a regional level. The HR position was created in 2017 to respond to HR management pressing needs, and to re-inforce the team. Taking into consideration this context, the incumbent will be based in Panama City, where the Regional Office for Central America, Cuba and Mexico is located. The function requires regular field missions in all the countries covered under ROPAN and regular contact and exchanges with the Admin counterparts in the National offices for the administration and HR management of the workforce (staff and affiliates as the current affiliated workforce ratio is relatively high). The position covers all areas of Human Resources (generalist) with the support of the Bureau and the different sections of DHR (HRSS, SWS, VMU etc). Family duty station A.
Very good infrastructure (health, housing, banking transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities).
Adequate schools. There is no lack of private schools, although the number of bilingual or bicultural schools is not so high. Most newly arriving expatriates are faced with the challenges of overcoming cultural and language barriers. Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America.
The main threat is common crime. Crimes range from armed robberies, drug trafficking-related crimes, rape, muggings and purse-snatching to petty theft.
The capital city is rated as security level ¿ 1 ¿minimal¿ whereas for Darién Province (border with Colombia) it is security level ¿ 2 ¿low¿.
For Central America it is strongly advised to exercise extreme caution, and maintain a high level of personal security awareness.
Security training is provided by UNDSS. This position is located in the Regional Office in Panama.
Although advertised in the Flash Vacancy Notice for the Venezuela Situation, this is not a position serving the Venezuela Situation, the UNHCR/AI/2018/15 Administrative Instruction on Exceptional Administrative Measures for the Emergency Operation in the Venezuela Situation does not apply.

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