Human Resources Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Human Resources Operations Section, Headquarters Client Support Service (HQCSS), Division of Administration, New York, Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Human Resources Officer reports to the Senior Human Resources Officer, Chief of Section, HROPS/HQCSS/DOS.

In line with the Secretary-General’s management reform, effective 01 January 2019, DOS will focus on operations, services, transactions, and surge support to entities in weak environments. It will service and support the entire Secretariat - at Headquarters, the regional commissions and offices away from Headquarters and in the field.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Resources Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

General
•Provides advice and support to managers, client departments and staff on human resources related matters using Umoja ERP tool.
•Prepares special reports and participates and/or leads special human resources project.
•Keeps abreast of developments in various areas of human resources.


Administration of entitlements
•Provides advice on interpretation and application of policies, regulations and rules. Reviews and provides advice on exceptions to policies, regulation and rules.
•Administers and provides advice on salary and related benefits, travel, and social security entitlements.
•Determines and recommends benefits and entitlements, such as dependency, education grant, rental subsidy, and language allowances for staff on the basis of contractual status.
•Reviews policies and procedures and recommends changes as required.
•Reviews and recommends level of remuneration for consultants.

Staff development and career support
•Provides advice on mobility and career development to staff, particularly young professionals and staff in the General Service and related categories.
•Designs, plans, monitors, and provides induction orientation programme and briefing to new staff members.
•Provides performance management advice to staff and management. Assists supervisors and staff with understanding and using the ePerformance appraisal system.
•Assesses training needs, identifies, designs and delivers training programmes to HR Partners as well as leads special projects.

Other duties
•Advises and counsels staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements and reviews cases involving outside financial obligations of staff.
•Conducts and coordinates salary surveys assessing the labor market at Headquarters and in the field and establishes salaries and related allowances of locally-recruited staff and provide support for audit and respond to queries.
•Prepares terms of reference for classification analysis of jobs in Professional and General Service and related categories.
•Provides guidance to programme managers on the application of classification policies and procedures and by undertaking whole office review.
•Assists in preparing policy papers, position papers, reports related to administration of staff entitlements and benefits and briefing notes on issues related to area of work.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of human resources management, in particular with regard to administration of entitlements and benefits; analytical skills; Demonstrated ability to interpret Staff Rules and apply them in operational environment; Knowledge of the United Nations common system or similar international organization’s staff rules and regulations, human resources policies, procedures and practices and ability to provide competent advice to internal team members as well as group of clients. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in public or business administration, human resources management or related area. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in administration, management, human resources or related area is required.
Experience in administration of complex staff entitlements and benefits, such as education grant and dependency allowance, in the United Nations Common System or any comparable international organization is required.
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, Umoja or equivalent, in the area of human resources is required.
Experience with on-boarding HR platforms, such as Inspira or equivalent is desirable.
Experience with supervising junior staff is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.