Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and is based in Baghdad, Iraq. The Human Resources Officer will be the Head for the Client Support Unit and reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Resources Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Recruitment and Staff Selection
• Manages recruitment processes including coordinating with client offices in forecasting and identifying vacancies, preparing job openings, reviewing and screening of candidates.
• Reviews job openings in consultation with hiring managers, ensuring that the evaluation criteria and responsibilities are in line with the approved or classified documents.
• Conducts preliminary review, prepares and submits recruitment cases to Field Central Review Bodies (FCRB).
• Arranges and conducts interviews for selection of candidates.
• Reviews recommendation on the selection of candidate by client offices.
• Participates in task forces and working groups identifying issues/problems, formulating policies and guidelines, and establishing new procedures on recruitment and staff selection.
• Coordinates and administers the National Competitive Examinations, G to P examinations, Language professional examinations and other programmes and tests related to the recruitment of professional, general service and other categories of staff.

Administration of entitlements and benefits
• Advises the CHRO on the development, modification and implementation of United Nations policies and practices on entitlements.
• Receives and reviews grievances and complaints related to entitlements and benefits, assessing and evaluating merit of each case and makes recommendation for resolution.
• Reviews and recommends level of remuneration for consultants.
• Represents the office in joint bodies and working groups relating to salaries and other conditions of service.
• Participates in the process of knowledge/awareness building amongst managers and staff members with regard to the staff rules and regulations, and related guidelines in the administration of entitlements and their strict application by the HR Section, including consistent implementation of delegated authority.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of related guidelines, HR rules, regulations practices and procedures, and recommends revisions where necessary.

Planning and Budget
• Participates in the mission planning process throughout the mission lifecycle for determining the staffing requirements and organizational structure; also conducts analysis and provides inputs on emerging capacity gaps in accordance with the mission’s mandate.
• Contributes to the budget development process by reviewing the drafts and providing input on the human resources requirements and organizational structure of all sections based on the HRSD guidelines on budget review.
• Reflects recommendations of the staffing reviews into the staffing requirements for purpose of budget preparation.
• Reviews and monitors staffing related costs and expenditures in the ERP systems in line with funds allotment, ensuring funds for staffing costs are available, and where necessary alerts the Human Resources Officer to follow up with Finance and Budget Office to deploy funds to meet any shortfall.
• Monitors expenditures related to staffing to ensure they are within the budgeted staffing costs, coordinating with the Budget and Finance units at both mission and Headquarters levels to ensure the availability of funds.
• Advises hiring managers on loaning of posts between sections and movement of posts and staff between locations based on the SOP on Staffing table and Post Management, ensuring the integrity of the staffing table as approved in the budget without discrepancy in sections and locations.
• Reviews the documentation for submission of classification requests and contributes to the implementation of classification results.

Performance Management
• Supports the supervisor in the implementation of the performance appraisal system and monitors its compliance with the proper implementation of the performance management system, providing guidance and substantive support to mission components on standards for the development of service, section, unit and individual work plans.
• Liaises with the Integrated Mission Training Center to organize training/orientation programmes in performance management and supervisory skills as well as work plans.
• Monitors the full-compliance of ePAS and provides input to the establishment of a Management Review Committee, Joint Monitoring Committee as well as Rebuttal Panel and acts as their facilitator and ex-officio member.
• Counsels staff and managers in cases of underperformance and facilitates the implementation of a Performance Improvement Plan to improve performance.

Staff Development
• Identifies and analyzes staff development and career support needs and designs programmes to meet identified needs.
• Prepares monitoring reports on staff development and career support programmes.
• Advises staff on career development, giving particular attention to developing and implementing career development paths for national staff members.
• Continuously assesses the skill, expertise and knowledge of human resources staff, ensuring participation of human resources staff in relevant training programmes and designing individual on-the-job and group training programmes on specific subject matters in the area of human resources management, including in the use of HR IT systems.

Administration of Justice
• Researches and compiles the mission’s responses to formal and informal requests coming from different entities under the Administration of Justice (AoJ) system
• Contributes to the efforts and measures aimed at addressing and mitigating staff grievances with the purpose of resolving them at the lowest practical level.
• Contributes to the development of preventive activities such as training and sharing best practices and recent jurisprudence related to human resources management.

Staff and Management Relations
• Assists the supervisor in supporting a dialogue between management and international and national staff unions (Field Staff Union and National Staff Committee respectively to discuss HR matters and related staff issues.
• Participates in meetings with staff representatives to address issues affecting staff and coordinate the quarterly meetings with the Head of Mission and Director/Chief of Mission Support.
• Organizes, as necessary, general or specific meetings for the staff on issues such as mandate implementation, status of HR reforms and other organizational change initiatives etc.

Other
• Under the supervision of the CHRO, the HRO contributes to the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of delegated authorities, through inter-alia, the Human Resources Management Scorecard (HRSC), Service Level Agreements, HR indicators, and the Senior Managers’ Compact.
• Contributes to the development of a set of actionable and targeted change management plans, including coaching and training in order to implement these responsibilities and reports on possible gaps and risks and recommends corrective action.
• Assist with the development of a communication strategy with a dedicated intranet page on HR issues and regular formal and informal meetings.
• Conducts research on precedents, policy rulings and procedures.
• Maintain human resources information systems, including constant update and generation of information and reports for use by management;
• Advises and counsels staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements.
• Assists in preparing policy papers, position papers and briefing notes on issues related to human resources management.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with 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.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

A high-school or equivalent diploma is required. Technical or Vocational Certificate and/or training in human resources management, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related field experience is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Extensive training in the Organization’s human resources management practices, policies and procedures is required.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration or related area, is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree.

At least 5 years of experience with hands-on management of benefits and entitlements of staff, including senior level officials, in a large organization, is required.

Experience working in the middle east region is required.

Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict environment is required.

Experience in delivering HR training/workshops to a large audience is required.

Experience in the use of enterprise administrative systems (e.g., Umoja, Inspira, etc.) is required.

Experience in HR data management, visualization, and analysis as it directly applies to the work of the Client Support Unit is desirable.

Experience in the development of process guides that directly applies to the work of the Client Support Unit is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• 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.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.