HR Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Subregional Office for the Pacific (SAP) covers 14 member countries in the Pacific. These countries are Cook Islands, Micronesia (the Federated States), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FAO SAP is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies with the member countries for addressing subregional agriculture, food, nutrition and rural development priorities. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Administrative Officer and in consultation with RAP HR team when needed, the HR Support Specialist work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative, judgment, and liability.

Technical Focus

The HR Support Specialist undertakes high level and specialized human resources support. He /she coordinates the human resources support work of the unit and ensures quality, transparency and consistency of functions and processes. The job role requires in-depth knowledge and interpretation of human resources policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural and policy support to managers and staff in the work unit.

The Human Resources Support Specialist maintains a wide range of contacts with managers and staff within and outside the organization. He/ she works closely with colleagues at a level in the human resources team in the handling of specialized processes and the provision of experienced human resources support.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide support throughout the recruitment process of Staff and Non-Staff Human Resources;
• Collaborate with the Administrative Officer and the hiring managers with the preparation of the Terms of Reference (TORs), and liaise with the office of Human Resources for the posting of Vacancy Announcements for NSHR; provide advice on proposed changes to post functions; collect background information on post management and update organization charts and staffing tables;
• Contribute to the management and maintenance of the NSHR Roster;
• Reply to queries related to policy and procedures;
• Draft notes in the interviews of the applicants and assists in the preparation of the FSSP, GSSC, NSHR selection reports
• Support the work of the Administration Officer in the office management of daily activities;
• Cooperate with the delivery of comprehensive human resources support and policy-related services; ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations as well as transparency and consistency of transactions and procedures;
• Support a wide range of personnel actions including appointments, extensions, transfers, etc.; process requests and provide advice on entitlements; review, maintain and update confidential personnel information records and files in the area of responsibility;
• Provide assistance in briefing and debriefing to staff members including answering queries on benefits and entitlements and personnel-related procedures, human resources policy-related issues, social security, insurance and administrative law;
• Assist in the development and delivery of a range of staff development, workshops and training programs;
• Provide guidance to other human resources support staff in the work unit;
• Collaborates with improvements on human resources systems and processes in the office;
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING****:

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in human resources, management, business administration or related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in administrative and human resources support work
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English,
• Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment
• Nationality of Samoa or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the essential elements of human resources activities and transactions, including corporate policies, rules and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of relevant corporate computerized administrative systems
• Thorough knowledge of the communication and documentation standards