Job Description
UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Code
UNOPS/2011/SDOC/CSS/VA023
Post Title
Human Resources Specialist
Post Level
P4 (Fixed-Term Appointment)
Position status
Non-rotational
Project Title
Various Projects
Org Unit
AFO – SDOC
Duty Station
Juba, SUDAN (non-family)
Duration
One Year
Closing Date
April 13th, 2011
Background
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) - Sudan Operations Center (SDOC) is based in Juba. Current SDOC operations are largely focused on assisting partners with the implementation of physical infrastructure projects including designing, constructing and rehabilitating roads and bridges, schools, clinics and Government and Ministry offices. SDOC also procures goods and services for a number of partners and provides logistics and operational support to institutions in Sudan with the overall objective to build peace and to promote the implementation of the CPA.
UNOPS – SDOC works with various United Nations partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union (EU), Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank.
UNOPS Sudan Operations Centre in is currently the largest UNOPS OC in Africa with the HR Unit responsible for administration of approximately 150 national personnel and more than 50 international personnel. Each year, the HR unit manages a significant number of recruitment cases.
The HR Specialist advices the SDOC Senior Management on optimal structure of OC HR Unit to support the dynamic portfolio of projects. He/she ensures that the OC HR Unit staffs are trained to in HR policies, regulations and rules, internal procedures and creates capacity to provide solutions to key HR issues.
The HR Specialist supervises and leads the staff of the HR Unit. He/she will work in close collaboration with the Heads of Units in Operations, with Project Managers, with AFO and HQ staff as necessary to analyze strategic business needs, formulate HR strategies and implement corporate Human Resources programmes to attract, develop, motivate and retain the most suitable talent in the Operations Centre and ensure successful OC performance in HR management and project completion.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Support Services, the HR Specialist is responsible for transparent implementation of HR strategies, effective delivery of HR services and management of the Sudan Operations Centre HR Unit. He/she interprets and applies HR policies; rules and regulations, establishes internal procedures and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR issues. The HR Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and contributes to the maintenance of high staff morale, the incumbent is required to perform the following duties and responsibilities:
Strategy and Policy Services
- Review Central Support Units and projects plans with senior management and project managers and develop targeted HR strategies and interventions to achieve successful project implantation.
- In close partnership and collaboration with other units/projects, develops work plan of the HR Units, manage activities against expected results.
- Assesses impact of corporate HR policies on staffing and provide feedback to clients.
- Succession planning for staff/project personnel, ensuring business continuity.
Policy Advisory Services
- Provides technical and operational support and guidance on policy application and interpretation
- Recommends solutions to highly complex and exceptional cases.
- Responsible for the interpretation and application of the ICA Policy and UNOPS staff rules, regulations and procedures ensuring uniform application in accordance with guidelines from Africa Regional Office and UNOPS Headquarters.
- Provide advice to staff members on specific entitlements, taking action as appropriate.
Implementation
- Exercises delegated authority to manage day to day HR activities and reports to senior management on periodic basis on decisions taken. Recommends change in strategy and plans with a view to achieving the OC/projects objectives.
- Advises on classification of posts within the established delegated authority and application of generic job descriptions.
- Manages timely and appropriate selection of project personnel and works closely with other colleagues to ensure efficient management and use of limited resources.
- Ascertains Human Resource requirements for the OC/projects ensuring the timely advertisement and filling of vacancies both national and international. Participates in the selection of candidates and submits appropriate recommendations.
- Oversees interviews and recruitment process (testing of new candidates, verification of educational qualifications and credentials, references and previous employment record). Advises on entitlements and career prospects.
- Monitor, advises and acts on disciplinary matters in accordance with established rules and procedures. Mediates conflict for the OC/projects both national and international staff.
- Supervise all national and international staff’s contractual requirements are done in a timely manner.
- Plan and supervise the work of the HR Unit and provide support, guidance and training to HR Unit staff as required as well as to other staff if needed.
- Implements the strategies on staff well being related issues.
Knowledge Management/Partnerships
- Raises awareness of OC/projects on corporate strategic issues, plans and initiatives to maximize utilization, implementation and reporting on results.
- Ensures an integrated and coherent approach on policy implementation and services for the staff.
- Participates in HR networks and maintains up-to-date knowledge of trends and best practices.
- Distills best practices and comparative experiences. Proposes quality enhancements in order to maximize policy impact and relevance.
- Develop and implement staff learning and development plan for the OC.
Managerial Functions
- Accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of resources including:
- People Management through recruitment, performance and career management of staff to motivate and promote organizational excellence
- Contract Management including implementing recruitment processes and providing oversight to contract implementation and payroll administration
- Content Management by ensuring Best Practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through intranet/network, and an appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available
- Perform any other duties deemed necessary by the Head of Programme or Country Director.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Required Selection Criteria
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UNs values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNOPS
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
- Shows strong corporate commitment work to achieve the goals of UNOPS as a whole, making significant contributions to corporate priorities or initiatives.
- Focuses on impact and results for the client promote and lives by an ethic of client service, seeking to produce significant and positive impact.
- Communicates clearly and convincingly demonstrates strong oral and written communications skills.
- Leads development of clear office strategy anticipates and understands client needs, formulates clear strategic plans, prioritizes interventions, and allocates resources according to priorities.
- Promotes a learning environment in the HR Unit empowers staff to address their development needs and promotes an open atmosphere of mutual feedback and support.
- Knowledge of underlying theory of HR, including a broad range of HR disciplines as well as HR best practices in public and private sector applied to clear strategic plans and interventions, and advice to clients.
- Develops realistic implementation plans for new policies, standards, procedures and guidelines.
- Strong work organizational skills and time management, flexibility and adaptability ant the capacity to work under stress, leadership and team building skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and to be a team player in a cross-cultural environment.
- Demonstrates the ability to carry out research to contribute to formulation of policies, standards, procedures and guidelines.
- Positions HR as a strategic partner in change management processes.
- Strong analytical and people skills
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Education/Experience/Language
- Master Degree in Human Resource Management, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Development Economics, International Relations or related field. (Additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant bachelor degree, may substitute for the requirement for a masters degree).
- HR Certification Course is a strong asset.
- At least 7 years of relevant experience in Human Resources Management most of which should be at the managerial level, or must have held similar positions in other international organizations, or has significant international Human Resources experience at a similar level.
- Relevant experience should also include knowledge in at least one of the following areas: HR Management, HR Generalist, Public Administration, or Business Administration.
- Similar international experiences in post conflict settings will be an asset.
- Excellent computer literacy.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of a second UN and Sudan local languages will be an asset.
Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form () (available on our website), via e-mail to . Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
Additional Considerations
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at .
