Technical Associate (G7, FTA)

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and established a Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSC was set up earlier in 2003 in Copenhagen and it provides customized service packages to more than 40,000 UN personnel from agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System. GSSC/HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration center within the United Nations and is recognized as a center of excellence. The Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

In the area of Human Resources, the GSSC supports both staff and management in UNDP offices and units, with the full cycle of HR services ranging from recruitment, talent management, learning and development, HR policy and advisory services, benefits and entitlements management, payroll and banking transactions. 

The Technical Associate is part of the Payroll Technical Team located within the Global Payroll Services Unit in Copenhagen. The Technical Associate will work under the supervision of the Technical Specialist and GPS Tech Team Lead and very closely with the GPS Management, Regional Payroll Associates and the International Payroll Associates in the key functions described below, to ensure an effective global payroll service. 

The incumbent should possess a strong background and experience in maintaining the configurations of Quantum Human Resources and Global Payroll application including but not limited to the Salary Scales and Allowances. The incumbent should also have a good understanding of the Quantum setup for extraction of any on-demand data requests by Audit, Partner agencies, Management, etc. using SQLs directly on the database and should possess skills to develop basic reports and ad-hoc queries. The Technical Associate must also have strong skills in MS-Excel to format the extracted data to produce the reports in the required format using tools like Pivot tables, Look-ups, writing basic and advanced excel formulas, etc. The Technical Associate should assist the Tech Team in preparing test scripts and test the HCM application on the changes/enhancements/bug fixes and also help the team prepare macros and scripts for loading bulk data into the application for project requirements. The incumbent must be an effective communicator and be able to share knowledge within the team and to the organization.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1. Update and Maintain HCM Configurations:

• Maintains continuously the Application configuration data like Salary Scales, Allowances, Duty Station Classifications, etc. through programs and manual entries ensuring accurate payroll results;
• Works closely with UN Secretariat and ICSC focal points for obtaining the necessary circulars that are required to maintain the configurations;
• Works closely with GPS Management, Regional Payroll teams and International Payroll teams to keep them informed about the configuration updates;
• Automates the UNV Salary revisions by deriving the new scales from the Percentage increase observed in the Scale revisions of General Service category; 
• Validates the Uploaded salary scales using an automated script every month to ensure data accuracy.
   

2. Data Extraction using SQLs and development of basic PS Queries: 

• Develops basic PS Queries in Quantum HCM to cater to the reporting requirements from GPS Management, Regional Payroll Associates, International Payroll Associates and other colleagues from the GSSC;
• Schedule Reports and PS Queries to run on specific weekly, bi-weekly, monthly schedule to generate and distribute the data to different clients; 
• Write SQLs and extract data from the HCM database to cater to various adhoc data requests from Auditors and UNDP management for different purposes.
   

3. Data Load using Application, Macros, SQL Scripts and Utilities:

• Supports the GPS Technical Team on various project initiatives and/or routine activities for keying in any conversion entries or any other bulk data entry into the Quantum HCM application;
• Data entry to be handled as manual entries or through any other semi/fully automated solution like using Macros or SQL scripts or other utilities like Excel to CI, etc. depending on the nature, volume and the criticality of the request;
• Step Increments for all Local and International Professionals to be processed by the beginning of the month and exceptions duly reported to the respective teams.

4. Test script preparation and Application Testing:

• Understand the core HR, Payroll and Benefits module functionality and prepare test scripts for any changes/enhancements/bug fixes that are being done to the application;
• Executes the test scripts and identifies and records any issues/bugs in the Quantum HCM system; 
• Work closely with the GPS Tech team for reporting and getting the identified issues fixed and re-test until the issues are successfully resolved.

5. Vendor Interface File Transmission, Report Formatting and Documentation:

• Runs different Vendor Interfaces on scheduled/ad-hoc basis and ensure successful transmission of the files to the respective vendors including but not limited to the Benefits Eligibility Files, Monthly reports to clients and partner agencies, etc;
• Use pivot tables and other excel features to format the data extracted from Quantum HCM database to cater to different reporting requirements of various clients; 
• Prepare documentation on any processes, Operating procedures, workarounds and solutions being developed in the GPS.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency of GPS and GSSC. Through accountability and responsiveness, these results will improve the service levels of the unit achieving better customer satisfaction.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

Competencies

Achieve Results:

• LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

• LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:

• LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: 

• LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:    

• LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

• LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management / Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

Business Development / Knowledge Facilitation:    

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management / Working with Evidence and Data:

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Business Management / Portfolio Management:   

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Management / Change Management:   

• Ability to prepare, support, and help individuals and teams in designing and implementing organizational change.

Information Management & Technology / Applications Management:

• Ability to set-up, develop, support, and maintain applications. 

HR - Compensation/remuneration / Payroll Management:   

• Knowledge of and ability to apply mechanisms and tools to collect payroll data, process payroll, and manage payroll reports.