Human Resources Project Manager (INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY)

Contract

This is a IICA-3 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 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 organisations.

The People and Performance Group (PPG) is a strategic HR function for UNOPS, based in UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen. We are focused on partnering with key stakeholders to shape the UNOPS HR strategy and building a workforce and culture that enables the organization to deliver on its strategy. PPG is also at the forefront of UNOPS HR transformation journey.

PPG is spearheading a project to ensure that the appropriate contract modality among UNOPS leadership workforce is applied consistently across UNOPS and in alignment with policy. This is a very sensitive project requiring a certain level of professional maturity and tact in dealing with senior colleagues.

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Talent Management, the HR Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the project and thus will be required to plan, manage, coordinate and monitor the project activities implemented by UNOPS.

The HR Project Manager will lead the project team, consisting of an Organizational Development Specialist (ICA-2) and an HR Associate (LICA-5). It will also work in coordination with a Policy Analyst (P2).

It is expected that the HR Project Manager is based in Copenhagen, however, some flexibility can be given in terms of location and considering there will need to be an overlap in the working hours in Copenhagen.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

• Design project scope and phases, ensuring a sustainable approach is established for future corporate decisions on Internal Mobility and talent pipelines.
• Develop, complete, and update implementation plan(s) for the Project, focussing on the design of an HR review mechanism, which includes assessments, recruitment processes, mobility aspects, and policy updates as applicable while ensuring minimal disruption of UNOPS operations.
• Design and implement the appropriate assessment process for the positions that will get to be converted.
• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure that the quality of work packages and deliverables comply with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages
• Lead and monitor project progress, ensuring that work packages are being executed properly
• Lead and control project and work package changes

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to SM/ PPG so that maximum benefit to the organization is achieved

  2. Procedures

• Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the HR policies

• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the PPG and SMT.
• Define a draft of the requirements definitions for recruitment processes.
• Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded
• Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager

• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations

  3. Monitoring and reporting

• Prepare and issue regular project reports.

• Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and quality).
• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.

• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of project's life span

  4. Stakeholder engagement

• Conduct a stakeholder mapping process and design a tailored communication approach for the different stakeholders.

• Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (PPG/SMT), client and key stakeholders
• Design and implement a strategic communication plan for the project.
• Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications.
• Manage and ensure that a sensitive communication approach is followed towards all stakeholders impacted.

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs

  5. Quality assurance

• Lead conversation with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements

• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables

• Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)

  6. Knowledge management and innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches, and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.

• Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.

• Lead the planning, implementation, and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients, and stakeholders within the programme.

  7. Personnel management

• Lead and motivate the project management team, which will consist of one HR Specialist, one Policy analyst and an HR assistant

• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
• Select, recruit and train team members as required and take into account GDI objectives.
• Create, foster, and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards, and commitments

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 (Master's or equivalent) preferably in Project Management, Change Management, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or other related disciplines is required. - First level University degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience - Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in at least 2 of the following fields: Strategic Human Resources Management, HR Project Management, Change Management, and/or HR Administration is required. - Project management experience is required.

• Experience working within the UN is required.
• Knowledge of contractual modalities in the UN system is a strong asset.
• Experience with UN job classification standards is an asset.
• Knowledge of change management principles and methodologies is an asset;
• Development and execution of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies is desired

Language Fluency in English required;

Fluency in French and/or Spanish is an asset.

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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• 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 – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

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

Working with us We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

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