Human Resources Assistant

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO's Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture, and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC), in Santiago, Chile. SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for 13 countries of the subregion. SLC houses the FAO Country Office for Barbados and six OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines). The position is located in SLC, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Main Purpose The Human Resources Assistant coordinates and performs the full range of human resources support functions. He/she ensures quality, transparency and consistency of data and processes within his/her area of responsibility and contributes to the smooth functioning of human resources operations.

Supervision Received/Exercised The Human Resources Assistant reports to the Administrative Officer in SLC. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities, exercise initiative for dealing with cases without precedents and finds solution to problems after discussion with supervisor. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs, in particular the meeting of timelines and the quality of advice given to clients. The incumbent provides guidance and advice to other human resources support staff.

Working Relationships The Human Resources Assistant works closely with colleagues in the SLC Administrative Support Unit, in the RLC HR Support Unit in Santiago, Chile, and with managers and staff in other offices, providing and coordinating experienced human resources support.

Key Functions/Results • Analyze, answer and follow-up on a variety of complex human resources requests and enquiries from staff and non-staff; provide guidance on relevant human resources guidelines and procedures. • Coordinate support services related to the employment and servicing of staff and non staff; initiate a range of personnel actions such as appointments, extensions, transfers, etc. • Conduct preliminary review of staffing action requests for post classification in accordance with established job classification standards • Support the briefing and de-briefing of staff; provide information as to staff entitlements and specificities of contracts. • Coordinate the recruitment process of all categories of staff and non-staff, including the preparation of job profiles and vacancy announcements; communicate with applicants and prepare offers/terms of employment. • Collect and research background information; update organization charts and staffing tables; draft correspondence, reports and statistics related to all human resources functions, as appropriate. • Review, maintain and update confidential personnel information, records and files; ensure completeness and accuracy of records and that follow-up system on actions are taken. • Investigate and resolve payment inquiries in collaboration with finance staff; prepare payment instructions. • Train and provide guidance to other human resources support staff in the work unit. • Perform other duties as required.

Impact of Work The incumbent's work directly impacts on the smooth operations and the quality of overall output of the work unit. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of human resources support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements Education: Secondary School Education. Experience: Four years of relevant experience in administrative and human resources support work. Languages: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of Spanish. IT Skills: Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • Communication • Building effective relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills • Very good knowledge of the essential elements of human resources activities and transactions, including corporate policies, rules and procedures. • Very good knowledge of relevant corporate computerized administrative systems. • Good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards.