Human Resources Assistant

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Leadership Support Section (LSS) in the Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS) of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. This position is under the direct supervision of the Chief, Leadership Support Section.

The Leadership Support Section (LSS) formerly known as Senior Leadership Appointments Section (SLAS) was established to support the identification and appointment of high-quality leadership in UN-field based operations. LSS supports the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Peace Operations and Operational Support in vacancy management, succession planning, selection and appointment, as well as to other stages of the leadership life-cycle. The Section is also responsible for outreach and partnership-building in order to expand the pool of potential candidates for these high level positions.

The Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS) enables, directs and coordinates departmental efforts to ensure the effective integration and management of both Departments.

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the full range of human resources and office management support functions in the Section which includes:

• Serving as the Section's focal point with key human resources partners, in particular with field mission HR Offices, Regional Service Centers, Human Resources Services Division (HRSD) in Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Office of Human Resources (OHR), regarding senior level appointments including compensation and entitlements, contract renewals, and other related administrative issues.

• Conducting research on a range of precedents, policy rulings and procedures in order to prepare written responses to queries concerning human resources related matters in relation to the appointments of high-level staff members.

• Providing advice on interpretation and application of U.N. policies, procedures and practices as they relate to senior level appointments.

• Ensuring the smooth flow and clearance of documentation for the attention of the Secretary General related senior appointments / recommendation and renewals of appointments through the UMOJA human resources View Portal.

• Providing support to the Chief of the Section in the day to day management of the Section by providing assistance in work-force planning and recruitment of staff.

• Works in collaboration with the G-5 Human Resources Assistant in compiling and preparing senior appointment reports, such as the monthly Senior Leadership lists produced by the section.

• Supporting the provision of secretariat services to high level decision-making processes on senior appointments by: a)Coordinating and supporting high level interview processes. b)Coordinating with front offices in organizing panel composition and interview schedule; c)Providing logistical and administrative arrangements for interviewing candidates; d)Supporting the implementation of pre-selection mechanisms by ensuring completion of related forms and reference requirements.

• Supporting the professionalization of the induction and on-boarding process for Heads and deputy Heads of field missions by: a)Providing comprehensive information on generic entitlement packages on conditions of service to potential candidates and new appointees. b)Developing and improving the preparation and coordination of administrative packages for selected Heads and deputy Heads of field missions. c)Managing and coordinating integrated administrative in-briefing sessions (in person or via telephone conference). d)Following up to ensure the timely actions are taken by the relevant offices. e)Tracking key issues with a view to improving briefings and capturing the impacts of human resources reforms on high level recruitment. f)Continuous collaboration with OHR with a view to improving the quality / obtaining clearance of pre-deployment administrative information transmitted to senior leadership. g)Continuous collaboration with Lead Departments to ensure the implementation of the SOP on vacancy and succession management for leadership positions in field missions. h)Providing initial letter of appointment details to OHR for all senior level field appointments.

• Performing other duties as requested by the Section Chief and deputy Chief.

  Competencies PROFESSIONALISM

• Knowledge of the human resources policies, procedures and practices and ability to apply them in an organizational setting.
• Demonstrates use of initiative and makes appropriate linkages in work requirements and anticipates next steps.
• Demonstrates mature judgement and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Able to manage, process, maintain accurate records, interpret/analyze a wide variety of data, identifying data discrepancies and actively resolve problems where they arise.
• Able to use UN standard and specialized software applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Share Point/Cosmos), Lotus Notes, Internet applications and COMET Plus.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements.
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
• Remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

TEAMWORK - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. - Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise. - Willing to learn from others. - Places team agenda before personal agenda. - Supports and acts in accordance with the final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. - Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

CLIENT ORIENTATION - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. - Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. - Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. - Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. - Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. - Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the Global General Service Test (GGST) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away from Headquarters.

Work Experience Seven years or more of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administrative services or related area is required. Proficiency in use of HR, ICT, and ERP systems, such as Umoja and Inspira, and software applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Share Point), Outlook, Internet applications is required. Experience working with senior leadership with a demonstrated understanding of the work of Political and Peacekeeping missions or relevant experience in supporting Political and Peacekeeping missions is highly desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice - This position is available until 31 December 2021. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

  United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.