Recruitment Assistant (NPSA5, Home-Based from Brazil)

Support recruitment processes and provide HR administrative services for UNDP.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

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Application deadline in 11 days: Thursday 1 May 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support recruitment processes and provide HR administrative services for UNDP.

You have:

  • Secondary education is required.
  • A university degree in Human Resource, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations and any other related fields will be given due consideration.
  • Certification in Human Resources Management is an asset.
  • Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant HR and/or administrative experience, preferably in recruitment, at the national or international level is required.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
  • Fluency in Portuguese (both written and verbal) is required.
  • Working knowledge of English (both written and verbal) is required.
  • Working knowledge of Spanish (both written and verbal) is desirable.

Contract

This is a NPSA-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-5 contracts.

Background

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and established a Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSC was set up earlier in 2003 in Copenhagen and it provides customized service packages to more than 40,000 UN personnel from agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System. GSSC/HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration centre within the United Nations and is recognized as a centre of excellence. The Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

In the area of Human Resources, the GSSC supports both personnel and management in UNDP offices and units, with the full cycle of HR services ranging from recruitment, talent management, learning and development, HR policy and advisory services, benefits and entitlements management, payroll and banking transactions.

In six UNDP Regional Bureau Service Centres (RSCs) – Addis Ababa, Amman, Bangkok, Dakar, Istanbul and Panama – the recruitment and administration of local personnel will be proximity-based and managed by outposted GSSC personnel who report directly to the Global HR Service Centres (GHRSC) in Istanbul and Copenhagen.

Under the direct supervision of the Recruitment Analyst based in Panama, the Recruitment Assistant supports the transparent implementation of the outposted recruitment of personnel for Lusophone Country Offices under their responsibility. S/he performs a variety of standard administrative processes and services ensuring high quality and accuracy of work and consistency in service delivery.

The Recruitment Assistant supports the team with the provision of advise to internal and external clients and managers on policies, guidelines and services and promotes a collaborative and client-oriented approach, sharing knowledge and best practice, including conducting training courses and coaching. Clients with whom there is direct contact may include UN Agency staff and other personnel in country offices as well as other units in UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Implementation of Recruitment Strategies

Ensures implementation of Recruitment Strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Full compliance of recruitment processes and records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
  • Input to recruitment business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in recruitment management in consultation with direct supervisors and GSSC management.

2. Implementation of Recruitment Services

Implements Recruitment Services focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Support to the preparation of draft terms of reference, vacancy announcements, screening of applicants, evaluation of candidate applications, gathering of candidate references, organization of interview panels, finalization of candidate selection/approvals and handover of completed recruitment cases to the GSSC Benefits and Entitlements Team for hiring, onboarding and contract management.
  • Support to the communication with candidates as it relates to the outcome of their applications.
  • Provide assistance with the production of insightful recruitment analytics reports with regard to critical vacancies taking into account UNDP’s corporate priorities of gender parity and workforce diversity.
  • Support the maintenance and update of recruitment measurements and tracking systems.
  • Contribute to the maintenance and update of candidate rosters
  • Provide support on the reduction of costs of operations and related costs to clients and partners and assist Country Offices with the validation and timely recovery of charges related to recruitment services provided to projects and/or other UN Agencies.
  • Perform any other tasks assigned by direct supervisors.

3. Support and Maintenance of Knowledge Management Prescriptive Content for Recruitment, Selection and Placement

Support and Maintenance of Knowledge Management Prescriptive Content for Recruitment, Selection and Placement focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Ensures that knowledge management distribution/system contains accurate and comprehensive coverage of recruitment, selection and placement matters.
  • Contribute to the identification of the need for new and/or modified policies and practices and initiate or propose actions required. Actively liaise with direct supervisors to seek policy clarifications and/or identify agreed solutions.
  • Support to periodic training courses on local recruitments for Country Offices and the Regional Hub.
  • Contribute to continuous learning and development for recruitment by pursuing own development and acquire new knowledge with recruitment best practices.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Recruitment Assistant will be reporting to Recruitment Analyst based in Panama City, Panama.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results:

  • LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

  • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:

  • LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:

  • LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:

  • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

  • LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

  • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

HR - Recruitment / Recruitment design and management

  • Knowledge of, ability to design and manage end to end recruitment processes.

HR - Recruitment / Assessment and selection

  • Knowledge and ability to apply various candidate assessment and selection methodologies, tools and platforms; ability to effectively align them with specific recruitment needs

Business Development / Knowledge Generation

  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management / Communication

  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management / Digital Awareness and Literacy

  • Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.
  • Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed.
  • Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Business Management / Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary education is required.
  • A university degree in Human Resource, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations and any other related fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
  • Certification in Human Resources Management is an asset.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant HR and/or administrative experience, preferably in recruitment, at the national or international level is required.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). Experience in handling of web-based management systems.
  • Experience with talent acquisition software and platforms is meritorious.
  • Work experience from an international organization is desirable.
  • Excellent communications skills with ability to effectively communicate with candidates and stakeholders at all levels.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to produce analytics reports.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in Portuguese (both written and verbal) is required.
  • Working knowledge of English (both written and verbal) , is required.
  • Working knowledge of Spanish (both written and verbal) is desirable.

Important applicant information

Possibility for Roster.

All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you successfully managed a recruitment process from start to finish? This question is asked to assess your experience and competence in handling recruitment tasks effectively. Provide a detailed account of a recruitment case you managed, including challenges and outcomes.
How do you ensure adherence to recruitment policies in your work? The interviewer wants to understand your knowledge about compliance and the importance of policy in recruitment. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder during the recruitment process. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What recruitment analytics metrics do you consider most valuable? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle an applicant's dissatisfaction with the recruitment process? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you outline your experience with talent acquisition software? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What steps do you take to ensure diversity in recruitment? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
In what ways do you pursue professional development in Human Resources? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 3 days ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: jobs.undp.org