HR Specialist - Compliance & Internal Grievances

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 9,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The People and Performance Group (PCG) is a strategic HR unit, helping UNOPS empower people, drive organizational excellence and manage change across the organization in order to help UNOPS deliver on its strategic intent.

We are a hard-working and committed team, bringing together experienced professionals with strategic HR management, including talent management and recruitment, learning and development, HR policy, organizational design and personnel well-being expertise – all of us having a passion for achieving results and building innovation into our way of doing business.

The Policy stream focuses, among other things, in ensuring compliance with HR policy. Allegations of breaches of HR policy are reviewed by the HR Policy stream by conducting fact-finding exercises. The role will interact with senior stakeholders across the organization including HQ, Regional and country offices. The role will work independently on case management, under the guidance of the Senior HR Manager - Policy and CompliancePCG Deputy Director. Fact-finding exercises and other types of analysis may be required as a result of the compliance-related activities included in the HR Policy stream work plan.

The Internal Grievances function focuses on enabling an efficient, progressive, fair, diligent and transparent management of personnel (internal grievances and) relations. Reporting to the Senior HR Manager - Policy and Compliance, the HR Specialist - Internal Grievances is responsible for independently handling complex internal grievances cases. The role will work independently on case management, under the guidance of the Senior HR Manager - Policy and Compliance (and eventually under the guidance of the HR Advisor, Internal Grievances)

The role will interact with senior stakeholders across the organization including HQ, Regional and country offices. The role will require emotional intelligence, judgment and decision making and discretion. The role requires an ability to objectively and professionally manage sensitive cases, often involving interactions with a wide range of senior stakeholders.

***This position is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. However, it may also be home-based with possible travels to Copenhagen.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. HR policy compliance and Internal grievances case management; advice and guidance on interpersonal conflict management.
2. Advise and Provide Training on HR Policy Compliance & Internal Grievances
3. Reporting, and action plan implementation

1. HR policy compliance and Internal grievances (IG) case management; advice and guidance on interpersonal conflict management.

• Responsible for implementing UNOPS’ HR Policy Compliance and IG case management system for allegation of breaches of HR policy as well as of internal grievances allegations, with the appropriate input from key stakeholders
• Plan and conduct preliminary assessments on new (complex) complaints or coordinate and direct the implementation of more simple cases by more junior colleagues, including:

1. Locating and securing evidence.
2. Rapport building and interviewing witnesses and other parties, including senior stakeholders
3. Assessing credibility.
4. Processing and synthesizing facts and complex issues.
5. Drafting detailed preliminary assessment reports.
6. Drafting findings in a clear, concise, and logical report, including recommendations to the decision makers for matters to be referred for investigation when warranted, and/or additional/alternative management actions
7. Accurately and comprehensively documenting cases and follow up action plans and their progress

• Manage HR Policy Compliance and Internal Grievances matters (specific case decisions, processes and systems, governance/decision making), following up with counterparts such as the Ethics Office, the Internal Audit and Investigations Group,the Legal Group, or other internal or external stakeholders, as required, ensuring appropriate actions are taken promptly to reach a resolution

2. Advise and Provide Training on HR Policy Compliance & Internal Grievances

• Provide practical advice and support to management and personnel on the effective implementation of UNOPS policies and adoption of procedures related to HR Policy Compliance and Internal Grievances.
• Reactively advise and counsel as well as proactively educate managers and personnel in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and other relevant challenges associated with the harassment free workplace and nurturing the enabling work environment.
• Support the development of comprehensive training materials and deliver training to managers and personnel at large on HR Policy Compliance and Internal Grievances related matters.

3. Reporting and action plan development

• Support the preparation of reports for consumption by a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, Respond to queries from and attend meetings including with the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system (JIU), or internal and external audits on internal grievances matters, as required.
• Support the Senior HR Manager, Policy and Compliance, the SR HR Officer, Internal Grievances, and the D&I Specialist, with the development, implementation and monitoring of action plans introducing measures to create a more inclusive and positive work environment, addressing the needs of a diverse workforce, including on disability, LGBTI, mental health and staff wellbeing;
• Act as focal point for UNOPS and PPG in joint bodies and working groups related to internal grievances, HR policy compliance, workforce engagement and well-being, and coordinate activities, as appropriate;

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree in law, or first university degree in law with extensive experience in a similar position. Professional certification in Human Resource Management would be an asset.
• Applicants with a Bachelors degree with additional two years of relevant working experience may also be considered.

Experience: - At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience managing interpersonal conflict, employer-employee grievances, harassment claims, or equivalent. - Within these 5 years, at least 2 years of experience in an Ethics office, internal investigations, or HR department of an international organization or providing legal advice to the HR department of an international organization. - Within these 5 years, at least 1 year of experience either Experience working within the UN system, international organisations or similar institutions is a distinct asset. - Excellent communication skills, ability to influence and inspire. - Analytical, innovative and proactive, with advanced interviewing/information elicitation skills. - Solution and client oriented. - Field experience is highly desirable.

Languages: - Full working knowledge of English. - Knowledge of Spanish or French is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: IICA2 - ICS10 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

***This position is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. However, it may also be home-based with possible travels to Copenhagen.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.