Human Resources Specialist

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Human Resource Section is responsible for the timely, accurate, equitable, effective and efficient delivery of all human resources management services, i.e. strategic staff planning, recruitment, staff administration, organizational and design and learning/career development, for the continuous development and improvement in human resource operations, policies, and methods to align with UN Women evolving business needs, and for providing advisory support to the Executive Director in the formulation and implementation of UN Women's overall mission, strategy and plans of actions.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy HR Director in headquarters (HQ) and direct supervision of the Section Lead, the Human Resource (HR) Specialist will oversee the staff benefits and entitlements portfolio as well as the daily management of UN Women’s Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme. The HR Specialist builds solid client relationships with donor community, service providers, senior managers in a multicultural environment requiring solid knowledge of the organization and its operations. The HR specialist also works closely with internal UN Women colleagues, staff, managers and other clients/stakeholders to provide advisory services on the application and interpretation of HR rules, regulations, policies and procedures, with a focus on benefits and entitlements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide guidance and support on HR policy and issues related to benefits and entitlements:

• Provide advice on interpretation and application of policies, regulations, rules and jurisprudence to staff at all levels;
• Promote equity, transparency and consistency in the interpretation, determination and administration of international and local conditions of service, terms of employment, benefits and allowances in accordance with UN regulations and rules;
• Provide technical support to corporate initiatives to streamline administration of benefits and entitlements and provide training to develop internal capacity.

Support the UN Women JPO programme:

• Act as focal point for the recruitment, placement and reassignment of JPOs;
• Coordinate and facilitate optimization of the JPO programme;
• Provide counselling and support to JPOs on work, training and career issues;
• Advise managers on all aspects of the JPO programme.

Representation and networking in assigned areas:

• Keep abreast of HR related policy trends, developments and provide support on human resources discussions and, ideas for improvements of policies
• Act as a focal point for Inter-Agency exchanges, including Donor funded Non-reimbursable loan agreements, secondments etc.
• Act as daily focal point for service provider, UNDP/Benefit and Entitlements Services (BES) and JPO SC;
• Provide guidance and facilitate capacity development of staff working on benefit and entitlement matters at HQ and field offices.

Provide Reports and maintain database:

• Share data and information on HR issues as requested;
• Analyze workforce data as required;
• Maintain and update internal database and files on administrative HR matters;
• Assist in reviewing and/or generating a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases;
• Develop regular communications for HR intranet and HR Bulletin as required;
• Provide inputs to annual HR report.

Provide any other support as requested by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality support to all clients and stakeholders;
• Timely and accurate information provision and guidance to staff on HR administrative and benefit and entitlement issues;
• Timely administrative service delivery to clients;
• Timely and accurate reports.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong general HR knowledge and expertise with a focus on recruitment and selection, knowledge of modern concepts and approaches in the field of HR Business Partnering;
• Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Good problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Team-player;
• Good planning, goal-setting and prioritization and organizational skills;
• Ability to write and present ideas and concepts;
• Ability to handle confidential information;
• Good understanding of UN Staff Regulations and Rules and human resources policies and procedures is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development, Public Administration or other relevant social sciences. 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in human resource management or related area;
• Experience in administration of UN benefits and entitlements, recruitment and, knowledge of UN Rules and Regulations are required;
• Field experience is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)