Human Resources Specialist

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 - IPAS

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the six practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles:

Support to operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding of solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas.

Business efficiency: IPAS recommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.

Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.

Background Information - Job-specific

The IPAS HR Specialist reports to the IPAS HR Team Lead and is responsible for delivering on the three areas of supporting operations, business efficiency and knowledge management. For IPAS HR this translates into daily interactions with country offices and regional offices to provide sound and accurate advice and support on HR matters.

Solution orientation and client focus is key in the interaction with our field offices. This requires establishing trusted relationships with the colleagues in the field, as well as good coordination and collaboration with other IPAS teams, partnering with policy groups in HQ and developing a good understanding of the UNOPS business model.

The incumbent will be expected to travel from time to time.

Besides this new ongoing regular position, IPAS HR are also looking to fill a maternity leave coverage (from end February to early August 2022) through this recruitment process.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Advisory Support on HR policies and Processes
2. Business advisory - Engagement reviews
3. Support to policy development and implementation
4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. **Advisory support on HR policies and processes**** - Provide guidance on HR related policies, processes and systems to ensure consistency with UNOPS rules and procedures. - Provide advice and support on various HR matters to HQ and field offices - Review requests for exceptions from policy, provide sound recommendations to policy owners, and convey constructive feedback to field offices to ensure capacity development - Develop a business partnering approach to ensure the highest possible level of service and client satisfaction - Support institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity. - - **2. Business advisory - Engagement reviews

UNOPS considers new projects as “engagements”. Any new engagement requires a review conducted by IPAS, on financial, legal and project management aspects. If there are critical HR components in the new project, a HR engagement review is also required. The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Review HR aspects of project agreements, with a focus on identifying HR risks and opportunities in close collaboration with other IPAS reviewers and the IPAS HR Team Lead
• Escalate relevant matters to the policy unit, and ensure that the policy unit is aware about high risk engagements.
• Provide quality inputs on HR aspects in project proposals and holistic HR advice in coordination with the IPAS HR Team Lead and other IPAS HR colleagues and assist with the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices to the field offices;
• Collect feedback on challenges, gaps and possible areas of improvement for HR components in project engagements, escalate issues and provide recommendations

• 3. Support to Policy development and implementation

• Actively contribute with practical knowledge and innovative suggestions to HR policy enhancements and development, corporate HR initiatives, product designs and implementation. Maintain client feedback/suggestions, as well as a log on recurrent challenges and make suggestions for long-term solutions through policy/process change

• Recommend solutions and process efficiency initiatives
• Manage projects with a focus on business process improvements
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of corporate systems and tools
• Maintain client feedback/suggestions, as well as a log on recurrent challenges and make suggestions for long-term solutions through policy/process change
• Contribute to the cross-functional initiatives and projects within IPAS and at corporate level towards more coherent and efficient policies, processes and systems
• Communicate HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to clients, providing guidance as needed.

• 4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Contribute to knowledge and information management within the team and across the organisation on HR related matters;

• Provide feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
• Guide the development and maintenance of HR analytic parameters, trends and data.
• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on HR-related topics.
• Keep abreast of external HR developments and best practices

Education

Advanced University degree preferably in Human Resources management, Business Administration, Communication, Social or Behavioral sciences.

A First University degree in related fields with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience

A minimum of 5 years of professional-level human resources experience, including HR advisory services, in a major area(s) of human resources management in an international, public or corporate organization.

Experience providing advice on HR policies required. Field experience will be a strong asset.

UN or NGO experience will be an asset. Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages as well as web-based management systems is required.

Languages

Fluency in English is required, as well as fluency in either French or Spanish.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: I-ICA 2
3. Contract duration : One position will be an ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• Besides this new ongoing regular position, IPAS HR are also looking to fill a maternity leave coverage (from end February to early August 2022) through this recruitment process.

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

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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.

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.