UNCDF Jobs - 54067- Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

27-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Renewable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a UN organization with a capital mandate (unique in the UN System) focused on reducing poverty and inequality first and foremost in the least developed countries (“LDC”s). To support the realization of UNCDF’s Business Plan and drive the rapid expansion of the organization’s capacity to assist LDCs to meet their graduation goals, respond to LDC demand for its services, and increase its geographical coverage of and average investment size in LDCs, UNCDF requires a partnership and business development strategy. This strategy encompasses specific, and interlinked, strategies for partnerships, branding and communications, and resource mobilization, which capitalize on mandate-specific partnership building, inter-governmental/client relations, and specific business development opportunities.

By the end of 2015 the international community is expected to endorse a new and, probably, single and universal sustainable development agenda that will replace the existing Millennium Development Goals. This will likely be accompanied by a new financing framework to be adopted at the next UN Financing for Development summit. This new framework faces a rapidly changing development finance landscape that is characterized by an increased diversity of: providers and sources such as DAC and non-DAC donors (e.g. India, China and Brazil), philanthropic foundations, high net-worth individuals, crowd-sourced donations, remittances and other private sector providers – such as the emerging impact investing industry; and, types of funding including traditional ODA, loans, risk mitigation, equity and blending instruments, as well as innovative financing mechanisms and the increasing use of ODA to leverage private finance including from domestic sources.

As the internal and external environments are evolving so too are the skills and competency mix required of UNCDF staff at headquarters and in the field. Careers are not usually linear, and there are a variety of satisfying paths. UNCDF endeavors to support its staff from recruitment, career development, talent management, reassignment, and provisions for staff training and retooling. UNCDF wants to retain and attract top-level talent in areas under its mandate. The organization therefore aims to offer a work environment that responds to a variety of staff members’ needs depending on their family situation, age group, cultural background, gender and other factors.

Starting with the acknowledgement of good performance, a balance between autonomy and professional guidance, staff well-being and strengthening measures for the improvement of work–life balance, UNCDF endeavors to offer a solid career path for people with family responsibilities, people with different abilities and young professionals. The organization must also be able to count within its ranks with the best possible expertise from all cultures and backgrounds. Against this background the Human Resources Specialist is an integral part of this organizational effort to recruit and maintain the best talent while providing a nurturing environment to develop staff’s careers.

Post Context

Under the overall direction and supervision of Chief of the Management Support Unit (MSU), and working closely with OHR/UNDP, the Human Resources Specialist manages the implementation of UNCDF’s HR strategy, recruitment and staffing functions to help ensure that UNCDF’s recruitment and staffing priorities and processes are aligned with its plans and strategies.

The incumbent supports the Chief of Management Support Unit in the management of UNCDF’s staff recruitment, deployment/re-deployment and displacement. She/he manages all aspects of UNCDF’s annual learning programme. Additionally, she/he acts as HR technical advisor to UNCDF HQ in addition to providing advice, guidance and support to UNCDF staff in Regional and Country offices on Human Resources Policy matters. She/he coordinates with OHR/UNDP all appointments and entitlements related issues and is accountable to ensure that all processes are performed in accordance with UNCDF/UNDP policies and procedures and within the UN Staff Rules.

As a senior team member of the UNCDF MSU, the HR Specialist coordinates and guides the work of HQ and field staff carrying out HR activities related to : 1) recruitment and induction of international and HQ-based local support staff; 2)preparation of offers of employment and reference checks 3) interactions with OHR/UNDP on matters of appointments and benefits/entitlements management; 4)vacancy management, internal staffing reviews and monitoring tools, statistics and related recruitment documentation and 6) implementation of key HR initiatives especially those related to change management processes and realignments.

The HR Specialist is also entrusted with the observation and timely implementation of performance assessment processes (PMDs) to enable a culture of accountability and competency development in UNCDF.

The HR Specialist operates in a complex organizational environment requiring a solid understanding of UNDP’s Staff Rules and Regulations, UNCDF’s mandate and Corporate Management Plan (CMP).

This is a Management Project Funded (MPF).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction and supervision of the Chief, Management Support Unit, the HR Specialist:

Ensures effective and efficient recruitment, appointment and related HR administrative services for internationally recruited and HQ-based staff members, focusing on achieving the following results:

Recruitment of qualified candidates who match the competency profile of positions, using cost-effective assessment techniques, in accordance with UNDP Staff Rules and Regulations;
Management of transparent and competitive recruitment and selection processes;
Effective support to management’s internal staffing reviews, including development of staffing/vacancy projections;
Organizing and chairing of interview panels, preparation of summary reports of interview panels;
Complex recruitment/staffing issues resolved;
Current and prospective staff members provided timely and authoritative guidance on recruitment and contracting policies, general conditions of service and business orientation.

Provides policy advice on contractual, recruitment and staffing matters and develop and applies innovative guidelines and strategies, at Headquarters and field offices, to ensure effective sourcing, selection and placement of human resources that meet organizational requirement, focusing on the following results:

Accurate, reliable and timely advice given to management at Headquarters and in field offices on effective and efficient staffing of positions;
Recruitment and staffing guidelines and strategies developed that support UNCDF’s business strategies and management decision-making, and help meet business objectives, consistent with UNDP Staff Rules and Regulations, providing related policy interpretation;
Continued relevance of recruitment, staffing and contractual policies to UNCDF needs assessed, making recommendations to OHR/UNDP to adapt or modify such policies as may be necessary to achieve UNCDF’s objectives;
Strategic and operational support to the Chief of MSU to implement staffing and recruitment actions as part of organizational development and change management process, including deployment/re-deployment of staff members;
Technical support to field-based UNCDF HR network on contractual and staffing policy and practices, guidelines developed, as required, consistent with UNDP Policies, to help ensure organizational consistency and due process considerations are followed.

Support the Chief of MSU in the development and successful implementation of strategic HR related initiatives, focusing on achieving the following results:

Undertake analyses of the implications and associated risks of new Staff Rules and the new contractual modalities and recommends particular HR solutions; provides expert advice in the transition and conversion exercises required by the introduction of the new Staff Rules contractual reform; analyses the risks entailed; drafts transition documents; advises on individual cases of transition;
Assists in drafting of policies and procedures related to HR policy issues; drafts authoritative prescriptive content related to staff and non-staff management;
Coordinates with the UNDP’s Legal Support Office as appropriate, when policy advice is requested on the application of the staff Rules and Regulations and procedures governing the HR management, rights and obligations of staff, legal status of staff and their dependents, finance recovery, insurance issues;
Reliable and consistent advice and guidance given to management and staff at Headquarters and field offices on HR initiatives, including, performance management, mobility, Global Staff Survey, career development, promotion, rewards and recognition programmes and other HR initiatives.

Oversees HR administrative matters regarding contract administration and benefit/entitlement management for international and HQ-based personnel, focusing on achieving the following results:

Efficient systems in place for the processing and administering ICs, RLA and inter-organizational exchange contracts at HQ;
Management reporting of all transactions related to staff, recruitment and other required HR data.

Manages the development and implementation of UNCDF’s learning programmes, focusing on achieving the following results:

In consultation with Management, selects and appoints Learning Focal Points (LFP) within each Regional Office;
Communicates with clarity to LRC/UNDP the learning priorities and plans of UNCDF;
Seeks guidance and support from LRC/UNDP to fulfill UNCDF’s needs and expectations on learning from amongst learning resources and opportunities available, both on-line through the Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face. Ascertain what can be availed from what is available universally and what investments UNCDF need to make on learning to address its specific needs;
In consultation with staff and management, develops and implements annual comprehensive learning programmes, ensures that learning programmes are monitored and regularly evaluated and reflected in the PMD.

Competencies

Corporate:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF;
Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional:

Knowledge of and application of HR best practices;
Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills;
Familiarity with UN and UNDP contractual modalities and Staff Rules and Regulations and institutional HR policy matters;
Demonstrated effectiveness in using information technology and competency-based tools and processes in recruitment and selection.

Managerial/Behavioral:

Leadership

Focuses on impact and results for the client;
Builds trust in interactions with others;
Takes initiative and calculated risks;
Displays positive and constructive attitude;
Demonstrates sound judgment and personal maturity.

Managing Relationships

Builds strong client and partner relationships;
Communicates clearly and convincingly, both orally and in writing, adapting style and content to different audiences;
Demonstrates strong influence management skills.

Managing Complexity

Supports development of clear HR Strategy;
Develops creative solutions to challenging problems and situations;
Manages projects effectively, consistently ensuring timeliness and quality of work;
Takes a constructive approach to resolving issues;
Excellent analytical skills with an ability to conceptualize policies.

Building and Sharing Knowledge

Actively builds deep knowledge in the areas of human resources;
Makes valuable practice contributions in the area of human resources;
Supports knowledge-sharing with colleagues.

Learning and People Development

Provides constructive coaching and feedback;
Supports a learning environment in the office.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in human resources management, social sciences, business or public administration.

Experience:

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, with particular focus on talent management, policy development and recruitment and staffing;
Experience with UN system or international organization would be an advantage;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages as well as in handling of web based management systems an asset. Familiarity in the use of ERP systems for HR Management would be desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;
Fluency in French is an asset;
Proficiency in at least one other UN working language an advantage.