Human Resources Officer

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

In recognition of its ability to affect and lead positive change, the Jerusalem Office  has been named the UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence.

The Jerusalem Office is the first UN office to receive the Level 4 P3M3 Maturity Model certification in project management by APMG. This certification demonstrates the well-structured, standardized and defined project management processes and methodologies applied to projects, generating the best results desired by our partners.

This achievement is part of a broader agenda to increase the Office’s impact on development projects, by improving our services and adding value to the outcomes of our partners’ works. The office has benchmarked its capabilities against international industry level standards and through this has achieved several prestigious certifications, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 14001 (Environment Management) and Level 4 P3M3.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Head of Support Services (HOSS), and technical guidance of IPAS HR, the Human Resource Officer delivers high-quality and consistent delivery of effective HR services (recruitment, contract and performance management of talent) to external and internal clients, ensuring full compliance with UN rules and regulations, UNOPS policies and procedures and internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in HR management.  Under the guidance, the HR Officer provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR issues in a collaborative, client-oriented manner and supervises the HR and Admin Unit.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

 Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Human Resource Officer reports to the HOSS and is responsible for the following:

1. Support to policy development and implementation
2. Advisory Services
3. Talent Acquisition and Administration
4. Team Management

1.      Support to policy development and implementation

• Contribute to HR policy development and corporate HR initiatives by compiling and maintaining data on trends, risks and opportunities and sharing local HR best practices.
• Provide technical or administrative services in support of HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy. 
• Generate strategic and operational workforce data for planning, including related statistical summaries and movements of UNOPS personnel within the relevant business unit/s.
• Communicate HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to management and personnel, providing guidance as needed.

2.      Advisory Services

• Provide guidance on HR related systems and processes including but not limited to Recruitment, Contracts, Benefits and Entitlements consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.
• Provide advice and answers to personnel on routine cases for HR services such as the performance appraisal process, learning & development activities, contracts, benefits, entitlements and remuneration and career development.
• Assist to provide guidance as needed on sensitive matters including grievances, potential violations in code of conduct, harassment, abuse, workplace disputes, performance improvement plans, complex employee relations matters, etc.
• Encourage line management responsibility for implementation of HR policies and effective team management, encouraging dialogue and two-way constructive feedback.

Collaborate with leadership to support institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.

3.      Talent Acquisition and Administration

• Implement talent acquisition activities in line with UNOPS policies and processes covering Recruitment, Onboarding, Performance Management, Learning and Development, Change Management, Salary and Benefit administration, Contract Administration, Succession Planning and Out-processing.
• Administer contracts, entitlements, loans, exchanges, and secondments. Inform and advise UNOPS personnel, consultants, partners and project personnel on their conditions of service and entitlements according to their contract modality, expediting actions to facilitate their efficient, timely, and client-focused onboarding.

• Support recruitment processes ensuring best practices are used for effective and efficient talent acquisition in line with UNOPS policy.   Utilize and maintain recruitment plans, tools and policy guidance to efficiently and effectively recruit and retain a diverse workforce to meet the needs of the business objectives. Maintain personnel rosters.

• Provide technical inputs into, and organize straightforward components of, regional and national personnel realignment exercises, including job fairs, to ensure timely competency elaboration, sourcing, selection, placement of required talent and transitions as well as due process.
• Identify key talent areas and provide elements of coherent, well-developed plans for obtaining, developing, and managing critical talent.  Utilize recruitment plans, tools and policy guidance to efficiently and effectively recruit and retain a diverse workforce to meet the needs of the business objectives.
• Liaise with UNOPS’ HR related groups on personnel administration matters.
• Guide business units in engagement and work enrichment initiatives and development of annual training plans. 

4.      Team Management

• Support efficient planning and management of the HR unit, including drafting annual recruitment plans, implementing designated projects in line with the corporate HR strategy, overseeing personnel file systems as well as provision of related statistical summaries and tracking movements of UNOPS personnel within relevant business unit/s.

• May supervise other personnel members in the provision of HR client services by assigning work, facilitating work planning, managing performance, motivating, developing and coaching team members to deliver high quality results and services.

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel and other personnel on HR-related topics.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
• Substantively contribute to the planning and development of the HR components of the office annual report.
• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and put to use productively.

Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor

Impact of results:

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Human Resources Officer directly impact on the efficient performance of key elements of HR systems and services of the relevant business unit.  These affect aspects of client satisfaction as well as of the readiness and capabilities of the human capital of the unit, to effectively develop and implement the programmes and projects of UNOPS.  This contributes to the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.

4. Final Product

Completion of all HR-related support, activities and reporting. To have been an integral part of the successful delivery of projects on time, budget and above the expectations of all stakeholders.  To have displayed a professional, dependable attitude that has operated toward making and keeping clients and a cooperative and positive spirit in working with other team members.

a.      Education

• MA Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Commerce, International Management or other relevant discipline.
• A first level university degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.
• Prince 2 Certification is preferred.

b. Work Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in a human resource management and/or administration area, at the national level, in providing HR advisory services and /or managing responsibilities in a multicultural setting;
• At least two years of extensive experience in contract administration and recruitment and staffing.
• Experience working with UN/NGO’s and/or post-conflict environments is highly desirable.
• Experience in supporting projects and team management.
• Experience in project and team management and skills development is highly desirable.

c. Languages

Fluency in English and Arabic is essential. Working knowledge of Hebrew, is helpful.

• CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED ARE URGED TO REAPPLY.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.