Human Resources Associate

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The People and Culture Group (PCG) helps UNOPS empower people, driving organisational excellence across the organisation in order to help UNOPS deliver on its strategic intent. We are seeking qualified HR Associates to join and support our Talent team. Under the supervision of the HR Specialist - Talent Acquisition and Outreach, the Human Resources Associate will be responsible for administering and implementing a wide range of HR services, plans, and processes to support optimal employee and talent management, including recruitment, learning, performance management, transitions, organizational development, and contract management. Serving as the first point of contact for internal and external clients at UNOPS Headquarters, the HR Associate will provide guidance, resolve questions on processes and procedures, and share information on HR initiatives and services.

This roster is open to candidates of all nationalities who are passionate about HR, data analytics, simplification, and innovation.

Please note that this recruitment will establish a roster of qualified HR professionals for both short- and long-term opportunities, whether on-site or remote.

Functional Responsibilities

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
   

6. Contribute to HR policy development and corporate HR initiatives by assisting to collect data on trends, risks and opportunities and sharing local HR best practices.

Assist with projects in support of HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy.

Support the communication of HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to management and personnel, providing guidance as needed.

Provide guidance on HR related systems and processes including but not limited to Recruitment, Contracts, Position Management, Performance Management, Benefits and Entitlements consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.

Provide advice and guidance to personnel on administrative procedures, processes and practices.

Act as liaison between unit and internal and external clients and provides proactive customer service to expedite completion of projects, and provide information.

As the first face of HR, ensure that new hires' first impressions are positive and that they have all in-processing information completed.

Advise hiring management and guide personnel on UNOPS recruitment and performance management processes, and learning and development initiatives, resources, and plans.

Provide advice to supervisors on good practices, policies and procedures in performance management, including managing of underperformance.

Support the implementation of institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.

Assist in recruitment processes ensuring best practices are used for effective and efficient talent acquisition in line with UNOPS policy.

Actively participate in work force planning at the office and project level and guide clients through recruitment and selection processes. Take lead on requisition initiation, longlisting, testing and interviews, formal approvals, selection minutes, reference checking, fee calculation, offers and rejections, and updating recruitment on-line information system.

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.

Liaise with UNOPS’ HR related groups such as SSC on personnel administration matters and submit transactional HR service data (normally within the ERP system).

Research precedents and present recommendations to supervisor, taking into account institutionalized exceptions. Undertake research on a range of HR related issues and assist in the preparation of notes/reports.

Establish and maintain monitoring systems, advising the supervisor on the status of pending requests and approaching deadlines. Follow up on team work processes to ensure clearance, approvals and timely workflows

Answer questions and follow-up with personnel and management to ensure completion of absences requests, performance management cycle, and other HR processes etc. in electronic information systems.

Liaise with relevant HQ and UN system units to exchange information and follow up on pending issues.

Set up and maintain reference files/records.

Follow up or process payroll verification.

Monitor status of HR actions to facilitate timely action by supervisor and line management, including on transactions initiated, expiring appointments/contracts, and pending separation actions.

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 the relevant business units.

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.

Provide support to the organization, facilitation and/or delivery of training and learning initiatives for personnel on HR-related topics.

Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.

Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Undertake research on a range of HR related issues and provide content for notes/reports including quarterly and year-end reports for monitoring, statistical and review purposes by management.

Liaise with relevant HQ and UN system units to exchange information and follow up on pending issues.

Completion of Secondary education is required. First University Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable and might compensate for some years of experience. Experience:

Minimum of six years of relevant experience in an international and/or national organization in providing HR advisory, recruitment, and/or HR-generalist services.

Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable

Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.

Experience in use of HR information systems, Enterprise systems including OneUNOPS is desirable.

Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices highly desirable Language:

Fluency in English is essential.

Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

At the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), we strive for excellence! We work in challenging environments around the world and we best serve people in need by being able to fill business critical roles very quickly.

In order to strengthen our capacity to meet our future needs for new colleagues, UNOPS has an ambitious and proactive recruitment approach: the Rosters. For business critical roles, we establish rosters which are pools of assessed candidates who can be recruited in an efficient manner once a vacancy arises. Roster members will be considered first for external vacancies. As a member you will remain on the roster for a duration of up to 3 years.

UNOPS is looking for candidates who are internationally mobile and who could accept a job offer from us within the next 12 to 18 months. Further information about UNOPS and its international activities can be found here and information about Rosters can be found here.