UNDP Jobs - 30182- Human Resources Specialist, Policy/OHR

Human Resources Specialist, Policy/OHR

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

25-Jul-2012

Application Deadline :

06-Jun-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (renewable)

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.

Background

The Agenda for Change (AOC) that was launched by the UNDP Administrator in 2011 aims to support the creation of a more productive, flexible and results-oriented organization within a culture of excellence and accountability for achieving results. It is for this purpose that human resources management has been identified for reform, with simplicity, transparency of policies and timeliness of services as the common threads.

Good people management is an integral part of the organization’s strategy, the purpose of which is to invest in the human resources of UNDP in order to maximize effectiveness. Such improvement can only be achieved by managers who are empowered, responsible and accountable for managing their staff, and by staff who are skilled, competent and well-motivated to effectively contribute to UNDP’s mandate for sustainable development.

Recognizing that there are significant gaps in policies that hinder an environment that enables effective people management, the Office of Human Resources will undertake a comprehensive review of the HR policies with an aim to simplify and improve the execution of every HR transaction in the organization by (a) having updated and relevant policy text and tools available whenever needed on all subjects; (b) eliminating obsolete and redundant rules and procedures and providing the means for consistent and uniform application; (c) ensuring reliable, updated and complete sources of policy reference for all HR business information and (d) mitigating financial and legal risk through comprehensive HR policies and sound communication strategies that promote a culture of accountability.

One of the critical areas requiring close attention in UNDP’s HR Management is the systematic adaptation and upkeep of the HR policy content that is housed within the Program & Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). Under the direction of the Chief, HR Policies and Compensation, the HR Policy Specialist is responsible for managing the HR policy content under the POPP. In policy planning and development, the HR Policy Specialist leverages modern human resources thinking within UNDP, while productively engaging with internal and external common system partners.

The HR Specialist, Policy will have frequent contacts with Resident Representatives, Deputy Resident Representatives, Operations Managers, Programme Managers and others in country offices, as well as managers and senior professional staff in headquarters units, in response to queries and to provide advice on HR policy related issues and advice on application of Staff Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuances; frequent contact with counterparts in OHR, Legal Support Office (LSO), OPB/UNDP to obtain authoritative advice and guidance on specific policies and periodic contact with representatives of other United Nations entities, at senior levels, to consult on common approaches to HR policy issues, or to resolve specific problems/issues.

While the Policy Specialist reports to the Chief, HR Policies and Compensation (HR Advisor, Policy), a high degree of independence in the day-to-day work is expected.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Spearheads and develops innovative human resources policies and procedures taking into account new developments under the UNDP HR strategies; General Assembly Resolutions, ICSC decisions and other policy changes emanating from the UN common system.
Reviews existing HR policies and aligns them with the UN Staff Regulations and Staff Rules, in collaboration with other contributing technical writers, policy and/or practice experts and subject experts within OHR and other UNDP units.
Manages the integration of existing and new policy text into a consistent, authoritative, and easy to understand format that is compliant with prescriptive content requirements under the Program and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP), thus helping HR staff and managers to understand how policies should be translated into business processes.
Develops materials setting out clearly how the HR policies should be reflected in key business processes for use by Representatives, CD’s, DCD’s. Operations Managers, hiring managers, and HR staff.
Ensures that the HR policies under the Program and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) are systematically reviewed and kept up to date and meet the organization’s need for policies and business processes that are tightly focused on supporting UNDP’s highest priority areas;
Provides interpretation and authoritative guidance in the application of UNDP’s HR policies and procedures to Senior Management, HQ units, HR administrators in the Country Offices and staff.
Works jointly with SAS/OHR to ensure consistent application of UNDP HR policies.
Develops appropriate strategies to ensure easy access to such materials for all relevant UNDP employees and promotes awareness, understanding and support for UNDP HR policies throughout UNDP. Develops systematic feedback mechanisms to assess policy impact and effectiveness.\
Represents UNDP, where appropriate, in inter-agency working groups and task forces on HR policy development, coordination and harmonization of HR policies and entitlements, ensuring UNDP’s interests are served and advises UNDP management of the impact of any changes;
Responds to inter-agency queries on UNDP’s HR policies and procedures.
Prepares HR policy position and concept papers that are important in influencing UNDP Senior Management’s acceptance and adoption of OHR recommendations and proposals.
Performs other related functions as requested by the HR Director, Deputy Director or Head of the Policy Unit.
Designs and implements training/learning programmes on HR policies.

Nature of Interactions:

Frequent contacts with Resident Representatives, Deputy Resident Representatives, Operations Managers, Programme Managers and others in country offices, as well as managers and senior professional staff in headquarters units, in response to queries and to provide advice on HR policy related issues and advice on application of Staff Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuances.
Frequent contact with counterparts in OHR, LSO, OPB/UNDP to obtain authoritative advice and guidance on specific policies.
Periodic contact with representatives of other United Nations entities, at senior levels, to consult on common approaches to HR policy issues, or to resolve specific problems/issues.
While the Policy Specialist reports to the head of the Policy unit, a high degree of independence in the day-to-day work is expected.

Impact of Results:

Successful leadership and delivery of sound HR policy advice directly supports the effectiveness of the HR Strategy and attainment of its goals and objectives to recruit, develop and retain high-caliber talent Organization-wide. Although the incumbent’s work is under the overall guidance of the head of the Policy unit, errors in implementing and interpreting the Staff Regulations and Rules and UNDP policies could result in legal and financial liability for the organization.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Strategic Partnerships: Identifying and building partnerships

Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments.
Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved.
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches.
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Thorough knowledge of UN and UNDP Staff Regulations and Rules, institutional HR policy matters, including legislative basis therefore (i.e. UN Charter, relevant General Assembly resolutions and decisions, and UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules).
Understands more advanced aspects of HR disciplines as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines.
Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret rules and guidelines.
Ability to conceptualize policies.
Sound judgment and personal maturity.
Excellent communication skills, oral and written.
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of Policy/HR matters and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development: Assisting the individuals to cope with change

Develops communications and programmes to assist business units in their adaptation to changing environment.
Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation.

Strategic Alignment of Management Practice: Adapting best practice and building capacity

Adapts best management practices to the requirements of the organization and/or organizational units to facilitate the achievement of strategic objectives.
Builds capacity for management practice in organizational units throughout the organization by providing appropriate tools and advising and coaching managers.

Design and Implementation of Management Systems: Designing and implementing management system

Conducts system assessment to improve development of systems design and operation.

Client Orientation: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs.
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider.
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.
Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management: Input to the development of standards and policies

Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management.
Undertakes ad hoc analysis of issues emanating from policy application reviews.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents.
Building support and political acumen.
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation.
Building and promoting effective teams.
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication.
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization.
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards.
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree (Masters) in Human Resources or Public Administration or relevant Social Sciences;
An advanced degree in HR Management is a significant advantage.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years practical experience in HR management in the area of policy development and application in international organizations or public sector.
Experience in drafting HR management policies.
Extensive experience working with, applying and interpreting the United Nations HR policy framework.
Experience in communicating about HR policies in very clear and simple language that is easily understood.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of oral and written English;
Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage.