UNDP Jobs - 63465- Human Resource Specialist

Human Resource Specialist - OHR Directorate

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

TA International

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2016

Application Deadline :

05-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months

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 Development Programme is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau for Management Services(BMS) is a central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas. Drawing on sound analytics and a risk-management approach, BMS supports the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services in line with international best practices and evolving needs and expectations of development partners. BMS also ensures policy adherence in operations management within UN Rules & Regulations, safeguarding UNDP’s accountability vis-à-vis Member States and other stakeholders.

In support of UNDP’s current Strategic Plan, the Service Delivery Model adopted by the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) aims to provide more integrated, effective, and customer focused services. These values inform the realigned Offices of Human Resources Management, Financial Resources Management, BMS Directorate, and the newly created Office of Management Services (OMS).

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) supports UNDP in achieving its vision and objectives through enabling the organization to attract, manage, and retain staff with relevant technical expertise, competencies and skills, by providing strategic HR advice and creating an inclusive working environment where staff are engaged, continuously develop professionally and perform at their best. Operating within the Bureau for Management Services (BMS), OHR’s key clients include UNDP executives, CO and HQs leaders and managers, individual staff members and HR practitioners. The team works closely with colleagues in business solutions, OFRM and others in the BoM team to ensure a seamless service to our clients.

The Human Resource Specialist-Directorate acts as the executive coordinator to the Director of OHR and is chiefly responsible for the effective management of the Directorate. The HR Specialist coordinates the substantive flow of information to and from the Directorate, optimizing the Director’s interventions with external and internal management and individual staff. Amplifying the People Capability Strategy, the Special Assistant identifies crosscutting priorities, activities and decisions within OHR and UNDP requiring action by the Director. The HR Specialist acts with authoritative knowledge on substantive HR issues, the highest degree of professional tact and personal discretion and always with a view to ensuring the Director’s work is prepared thoroughly and coordinated seamlessly across the Division and organization.
Research and advice on strategic and policy matters that are predominantly substantive and sensitive in nature. The HR Specialist-Directorate will liaise, coordinate, analyse, and integrate substantive input from the various OHR units into the work of the Directorate and build partnerships within the organization, provide oversight to the administration and management functions of the Directorate. Works in close collaboration with OHR, the BMS Directorate and the Executive Office to ensure the implementation of managerial decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director, Office of Human Resources, the HR Specialist – Directorate provides support to corporate matters. In particular, the incumbent plays an active role in supporting the smooth running of the OHR Directorate, including strategic support and advice to the OHR senior management and effective communication and services to corporate clients.

Support to the Office of Human Resources on Corporate Matters:

Supports OHR senior management on corporate matters;
Tracks, monitors and follows-up on the progress of various initiatives, projects, action items, strategies;
Acts as the focal point for audit;
Identifies key issues for discussion and develops the agenda for regular senior management meetings, chaired by the Director;
Liaises with and facilitates the flow of communication between key internal stakeholders to ensure establishment of efficient workflows;
Conducts research, substantive review and critical analysis of information and documents.

Direct Support to the OHR Director:

Briefs the Director on sensitive issues to facilitate fact-based, well-informed decision making;
Provides strategic advice and support to the Director of OHR on a range of issues related to OHR’s priorities;
Coordinates and prepares crosscutting HR responses to strategy, policy and procedural questions and issues from senior management;
Support the Director in implementing a vision for the Office and ensuring that OHR delivers on its commitments, following up pending issues with Senior Managers for response/decision;
Tracks, monitors, and follows-up on the progress of various initiatives, projects, action items, and strategies and identifies key issues for discussion.

Knowledge Management and Communications

Ensures effective communication from the Director, OHR, and OHR senior management to internal and external audiences.
Strengthens OHR’s partnerships and networks by ensuring substantive exchange and information sharing with critical stakeholders.
Prepares, coordinates, and manages communication and knowledge products for OHR;
Ensures that necessary processes and systems are in place to handle delicate and sensitive matters with tact and acumen, and proposes improvements where relevant;
Facilitates interoffice communications between the Director, the Deputy Director and OHR staff. Provides liaison and specific inputs for issues that should be brought to the attention of the Director or Deputy Director. Identifies and addresses communication gaps, if any, ensuring information flow within the Bureau;
Serves as a resource person in assigned areas to ensure that OHR’s priorities are adequately communicated to key partners;
Collaborates in the strengthening of UNDP’s HR Community, addressing its information and knowledge sharing needs.
Contributes to building a community of practice.

Special Projects

In liaison with the Deputy Director/Senior Managers of OHR, coordinate the design, implementation, and reporting of special projects.

Staff members may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Core:

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
Adapts ideas to context;
Interprets policy and applies judgment;
Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions;
Continually seeks to improve.

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow;
Inclusive in decision making;
Encourages dialogue and acts in accordance with team inputs;
Anticipates and resolves conflicts;
Determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solutions Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability).

People Management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
Takes ownership of responsibilities;
Involves team in different steps of the process;
Seeks and values others initiatives and expertise.

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
Advocates, able to change mind of self, peers and partners;
Persuades others to embrace new ideas, even when controversial;
Empathizes with client perspectives and needs;
Prepares and presents authoritative advice;
Represents team in formal settings;
Expands expertise of team through sharing expertise.

Delivery:

Ability to get things done;
Makes new ideas work;
Critically assesses value and relevance of existing thinking and policy;
Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done;
Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions;
Strives to improve team reputation with clients;
Expands capacity of team to deliver on time and on target;
Accountable for project implementation and/or team deliverables.

Technical/Functional:

Human Resources Management (General):

Independently utilizes expertise gained from experience;
Knowledge of Human Resources management issues and principles and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical solutions.

Stakeholder Management:

Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and balance often contracting expectations, building and maintaining relationship.

Communication:

Ability to effectively communicate intentions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge Management:

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Law, Economics, International Relations or Organizational Development is required.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in human resources, partnership building, and/or operations management in the United Nations system, MGOs, public and private sector organizations;
Proven knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and systems;
Skills and experience in working in multi-national/multi-cultural setting;
Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages.

Language:

Fluency in English; with
Proficiency in a second UN language is an asset.