Human Resources Specialist

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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 Unit (GSSU) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), procurement, advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSU 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. GSSU/HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration center within the United Nations and is recognized as a centre of excellence. The Global Shared Service Unit (GSSU) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

In the area of Human Resources, the GSSU 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 Recruitment Unit in the Global Human Resources Regional Service Center (GHRSC) in Istanbul is responsible for the execution of recruitment processes and services for all locally recruited staff and Service Contract holders (SC) in the five UNDP Regional Bureaux (RBA/RBAS/RBAP/RBEC/RBLAC), and supervises and manages recruitment processes and services delegated to GSSU/RSCs in six Regional Service Centers – Addis Ababa, Dakar, Amman, Bangkok, Istanbul and Panama.

 Under the overall guidance and supervision of the P5 HR Manager in the GHRSC Istanbul, the incumbent is accountable for the transparent implementation of recruitment transactions, products and services in a way that is consistent with the purpose and objectives of the Clustering Business Case, which intend to support UNDP Country Offices by providing cost-effective solutions, improving governance and controls and increasing efficiency. S/he interprets and applies Staff Rules and Regulations, recruitment policies and procedures, establishes internal procedures, maintains high workforce morale and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex technical recruitment issues. The incumbent will supervise the GHRSC Recruitment Unit and will ensure timely, accurate and client-oriented services. In addition, s/he collaborates and coordinates the work and shares knowledge and best practices with other GSSU HR teams and advocates a single approach to maintain and enhance the cohesiveness of the work.

 The Recruitment Specialist will work in close collaboration with HR, Finance, Procurement and Payroll Management Teams in the GSSU and with other BMS units as necessary to analyze and deliver strategic business services and products that meet the needs of client country offices.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Implementation and Delivery of Recruitment Strategies
2. Performance and Delivery of Recruitment Services
3. Case Management and Resolution
4. Management Excellence

Implementation and Delivery of Recruitment Strategies:

• Control regular interaction with HR focal points in all UNDP Country Offices on consolidated global recruitment strategies and plans.
• Lead all activities that ensure transparent and competitive recruitment, selection and placement processes including but not limited to job classification, preparation and validations of terms of reference for SC holder positions, vacancy announcements, screening of candidates, reference checks, organization of interview panels, preparation of interview minutes and recommendations to Compliance Review Boards/Panels, candidate selection/approvals for SC holders, and handover of completed recruitment cases to the GHRSC Benefits and Entitlements Unit for hiring, onboarding and contract management.
• Lead the creation and maintenance of data banks of job descriptions, terms of reference and candidate rosters.
• Within delegated authority and in consultation with GHRSC, Regional Bureaux and Country Office management, make determinations that may include the creation of precedents and, with respect to sensitive cases, recommend solutions that are considered technically accurate.
• Guide the timely application of the advice and guidance provided by Central Recruitment in OHR on recruitment processes, procedures and best practices to develop and share insights to further enhance the effectiveness of the function.
• Oversee the collection, collation and assembly of inputs to recruitment guidelines, tools and policies that are responsive to the individual business needs of the five Regional Bureaux and the delivery of People for 2030.
• Guide the production of substantive and technical inputs and feedback on the development and implementation of e-recruit/applicant tracking systems as necessary.
• Lead and coordinate recruitment business process mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in recruitment and control of the workflows.
• Provide motivation and encouragement for contribution to the development of procedures and practices that enhance and improve recruitment.

Performance and Delivery of Recruitment Services :

• Accountable for the compliance of recruitment strategies with UNDP Staff Rules and Regulations, UNDP processes and guideline, and Service Contract holder policies and procedures by providing ongoing operational guidance, interpretation and technical support to the various GSSU recruitment teams.
• Guide team leaders and members with advice and solutions on more complex recruitment cases or cases of an exceptional nature. Directly take appropriate action on difficult cases to identify and deliver a solution.
• Manage the work of the GSSU Recruitment Teams to ensure a consistent and high-level service quality.
• Act as approver (Level 2) for compensation payments for Service Contracts and liaise with GSSU Payroll and Finance Units to seek clarifications and agreements on common approaches.
• Guide vacancy management, including the design of vacancy announcements and approval of job postings.
• Lead the coordination of timely transparent and competitive recruitment and selection processes, vacancy announcements, screening, assessments, reference checks, selection of candidates, interview minutes and reporting in line with UNDP policies and standards.
• Control assessment processes, including management of test and competency-based interviews.
• Supervise interview panels as applicable.
• Lead the design of strategies and ensure positive candidate experience, including communication with and provision of guidance to candidates on their inquiries about UNDP career opportunities and application processes.
• Provide leadership on the development and delivery of an effective onboarding process in collaboration with GSSU-BES, Talent Acquisition and People Programmes and Talent Development Units for newly hired and transitioning candidates to ensure a smooth transition to the new role.
• Establish data driven Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for recruitment thatare aimedto enhance the candidate experience and reduce the time to hire;
• Monitor and report achievement of the established KPIs in a timely manner and build action plans necessary to keep effective work delivery.

Case Management and Resolution:

• Promote equity, transparency and consistency in the interpretation, determination, implementation, and administration of policies, procedures and guidelines on all recruitment related matters applicable to staff and SC holders.
• Guide GSSU Recruitment Teams with solutions on difficult cases and deliver solutions. Analyze and evaluate requests from managers and staff, taking into account the needs, policies and practices of the Organization.
• Deliver advisory services to managers and employees in the area of recruitment.
• Identify needs for new or modified policies and practices and initiate or propose the actions required.
• Actively liaise with relevant UNDP/UN entities to seek policy clarifications and/or identify agreed solutions.
• Liaise with the GSSU Payroll and Finance Units on complicated cases and suggest solutions. 
• Build and manage a client/account management system to support efficient service delivery.

Management Excellence:

• Promote management excellence in the GHRSC Recruitment Unit by ensuring accountability in all areas and by demonstrating a high level of skills in the management of workforce resources including selection based on merit and the needs of the organization, employee aspiration and counselling, systematic and equitable performance management, and employee development and learning activities. Effectively manage the human and financial resources (budget planning, management and monitoring) of the Unit  and ensure both are optimally utilized.
• Monitor and manage compliance with all systems and procedures and ensure management integrity and accountability with high quality standards in all activities in recruitment. Ensure the implementation of agreed audit recommendations. Advise on corrective measures to be taken and establish relevant internal controls.
• Provide quality assurance to corporate UNDP networks and maintain up-to-date knowledge of trends and best practices. Distill best practices and comparative experiences. Propose quality enhancements in order to maximize policy impact and relevance.
• Direct the maintenance on the GSSU HR/ intranet / Knowledge Management / Self-Service portal of comprehensive recruitment information for staff and managers including standard operating procedures, process workflows, user guides and frequently asked questions.

Core:

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership:

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional:

Recruitment

• Knowledge of recruitment and HR issues and principles and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical solutions to secure and retain quality candidates.

Human Resources Management (General):

• Knowledge of HR management concepts, issues and principles and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations.

Case Management:

• Ability to organize, record, and manage employee interactions with recruitment concepts and issues.

Service Delivery Coordination:

• Ability to coordinate and deliver services in line with unit work plans and Service Level Agreements and standards of excellence in UNDP.

Problem Solving:

• Accurately accumulating information and its analysis; forecasting potential problems and planning; allowing for alternative, creative solutions and identifying most reasonable solutions.

Mentoring & Capacity Building:

• Ability to coach/mentor technical staff to enhance sustain capacity development.

Management & Coordination:

• Ability to manage and coordinate campaigns and people with inspiration. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.

Knowledge Facilitation:

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Education:

• Masters’ University Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Law or related field;
• Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with an additional 2 year of relevant experience will also be acceptable.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in Human Resources Management, including some experience specifically in the provision of HR advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems;
• At least 2 years of recent supervisory responsibility leading teams in a diverse team environment;
• Familiarity with remote reporting lines would be an asset;
• Familiarity with HR management, including talent acquisition and recruitment, in the UN system is a great advantage;
• Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages (MS Word, Excel etc.);
• Demonstrated knowledge of integrated HR management systems would be an asset;
• Work experience in a UNDP Country Office is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written);
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Other:

• Describe any additional qualifications/requirements:
• Familiarity with HR module in Oracle-based Enterprise Resources (ERP) is desirable.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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