HR Senior Officer

Mexico City

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Mexico City
Grade: Junior level - LICA-9, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS provides health infrastructure, procurement and fund management services to our partners (Governments, UN organizations, International Financial Institutions, Funds) in some of the world’s most challenging environments. From constructing hospitals, to procuring pharmaceuticals or medical equipment, UNOPS is working to deliver sustainable health outcomes for millions of people.

In recent years, the demand for health related services from our partners has increased significantly and this has translated into an equivalent increase in the procurement volume of health related goods and services, which since 2019 has totalled over $400 million in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical and laboratory equipment and consumables.

In line with the framework agreement signed with the Government of Mexico, UNOPS supports different government collaboration initiatives aimed at fighting corruption and transparency in public management, as well as exercises aimed at strengthening government actions in the areas of procurement, infrastructure and management of high-impact projects in Mexico. The work requires strategic and operational perspectives, resource management ensuring transparency, effectiveness and efficiency that promotes the development and continuous strengthening of internal management in order to ensure high quality results, according to the needs of the partner in Mexico.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Support Services and technical guidance of IPAS HR, the HR Senior Officer ensures consistent delivery of efficient and effective HR services to the client office(s). S/he interprets and applies HR policies, rules, regulations, and internal procedures to the management of key HR service lines and systems to support hiring managers in the sourcing, recruitment, selection, placement, realignment, and retention of the best available talent from internal and external sources. The incumbent provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR issues, advice to international and national personnel, maintains oversight over the HR management of project personnel, and promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach, contributing to the maintenance of high personnel morale.

The HR Senior Officer supervises and leads the personnel of the HR Unit, working in close collaboration with the programmes, operations and project teams in the respective office/s, in ensuring successful performance in HR management.

The functions/ Key results expected are:

1. Support to policy development and implementation;
2. Advisory services;
3. Talent Acquisition and Administration;
4. Team Management;
5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing.

1. Support to policy development and implementation

Contribute to HR policy development and corporate HR initiatives by assisting to generate and maintaining data on trends, risks and opportunities and sharing local HR best practices.
Undertake projects in support of the HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy.

2. Advisory services

Provide guidance on HR related systems and processes, including but not limited to, Recruitment, Contracts, Position Management, Benefits and Entitlements consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.
Provide advice to personnel on HR services such as the performance appraisal process, learning & development activities, contracts, benefits, entitlements and remuneration and career development.

3. Talent Acquisition and Administration

Implement talent acquisition activities in line with UNOPS policies and processes covering Recruitment, Onboarding, Position Management, Job Classification, Performance Management, Learning and Development, Change Management, Salary and Benefit administration, Contract Administration, Succession Planning and Out-processing.
In collaboration with IPAS HR, oversee administration of entitlements for all personnel and the efficient administration of contractual modalities, loans, exchanges, and secondments in the region. Inform and advise UNOPS and project personnel, consultants, partners on their conditions of service and entitlements according to their contract modality, expediting actions to facilitate their efficient, timely, and client-focused onboarding.

4. Team Management

Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on HR-related topics.
Contribute to HR knowledge networks and communities of practice by providing collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.

* For a detailed description of the above please review the attached Terms of Reference.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced University degree in Human Resources management, Business Administration, social or behavioral sciences.
Or a First University degree in Human Resources management or related fields combined with 4 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

A minimum of two years of professional-level human resources management experience, including HR advisory services, in a major area(s) of human resources management (eg. Talent Management, Organizational Design, HR strategic operations planning) in an international, public or corporate organization at the national and/or international level.
Experience supervising HR teams.
Experience using HR web-based systems.

The following are desirable (but not excluding) qualification:

Experience in one or more of the following will be an asset: Change Management, Conflict Resolution, Coaching, Design and Development of training programmes, Development of recruitment strategies, Development and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives, Organization design and Workshop facilitation.
Relevant experience in a multicultural setting.
Some experience in UN system organizations.
Experience with Google Suite applications.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Spanish is required.
Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement

Contract Regular monthly: This contract is established in the form of a Regular Monthly Contract, that is, a continuous presentation of the services required during the contract period, making the payments associated with the contract at the end of each calendar month.

Level of contract: LICA 9 - The salary scale determination wil be based on the selected candidate profile
(Local candidates: Mexican nationality or permanent resident status in the country).

Contract duration: The duration of the contract is subject to budget availability (currently until 31st Dec, 2023) as well as satisfactory performance.

UNOPS is an inclusive employer, so we invite women and men regardless of ethnicity, disability, secual orientation or gender indentity to apply. We are committed to promoting equitable representation.

Work and personal life balance: UNOPS values its staff and recognizes the importance of maintaining a balance between professional and personal responsibilities. We have a personal-work balance policy and offer several flexible schedule possibilities. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel, under any contractual modality.

Upon request, UNOPS seeks the possibility of accommodating candidates with special needs.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

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.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
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
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
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.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us
We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.