Human Resources Officer

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST

UNRWA

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Human Resources Officer

Note: This is a temporary vacancy until 30 April 2018.

The Human Resources Officer is responsible to provide support to the Director of Human Resources and to act as Secretary to the Advisory Committee on Human Resources (ACHR). In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

·         Provide support to DHR on all aspects of the Department’s work, as required by the Director:      

-       Monitor the proper functioning of decentralized recruitment and staffing processes, vet submissions addressed to the Director for appointments, contract extensions, post establishment or reclassification;

-       Monitor the implementation of the Department’s work plans and projects;

-       Prepare internal and external communications for the Director and ensure the proper flow of communications and documentation to and from the Director’s office, and act as trouble shooter and facilitator on a wide range of HR matters;

-       Supervise the Interpreter, Personal Assistant to DHR, and Admin Officer in the office of DHR;

-       Prepare replies to internal and external Audit observations and follow up on the implementation of Audit recommendations sent to the Human Resources Department;

-       Guide and supervise staff dealing with the Department’s record management systems including departmental files, Official Status Files, electronic records and websites;

-       Act as focal point for statistical information provided to UN system organizations, donors, and other stakeholders;

-       Manage the Department’s budget and is in charge of overseeing the proper handling of human resources records including electronic files and websites.

·         Act as Secretary to the Advisory Committee on Human Resources (ACHR):

-       Schedule and arrange meetings;

-       Prepare the Agenda of the Committee;

-       Ensure availability of background documentation;

-       Liaise with members and ensure the proper conduct of meetings;

-       Provide support to the Chairperson as required; take notes; provide background information and prepare minutes of meetings;

-       Convey decisions of the Commissioner-General and keep records of the ACHR;

-       Follow up on the implementation of ACHR decisions.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

·         A university degree from an accredited educational institution in human resources, management, law, business or public administration or a related field;

·         At least six years of progressively responsible experience related to HRM, preferably in an international, large commercial or governmental organization, including two years of relevant international experience outside one’s home country;

·         Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies

·         Ability to plan and organize processes and people in an environment requiring high levels of tact and diplomacy as well as confidentiality;

·         Excellent drafting ability;

·         Interest and willingness to innovate and establish best practices;

·         Ability to guide and motivate staff;

·         Ability to work under pressure and to deal with competing demands, and unforeseen events and requirements;

·         Analytical skills and ability to take sound judgments;

·         Proficiency in using personal computers with good technological awareness.

Equivalency

When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Human Resources Department may substitute part of the unmet requirements under UNRWA’s equivalency determination guidelines with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and/or progressive relevant work experience. Note: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered sufficient for an equivalency determination.

Additional Information

The incumbent will be required to travel regularly in the Agency’s area of operations and to work occasionally outside of normal working hours.

Conditions of Service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package at the standard P-3 level with post adjustment of 37.8% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks of annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Initial contract is to cover a temporary vacancy with the incumbent on another assignment until 30 April 2018. There is the possibility of further extension depending on the return or otherwise of the incumbent to the post, availability of funds, satisfactory performance and the continuing need for the post.

How to Apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, testing, interviewing, etc). The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General Information

UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The statutory retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

On appointment, all individuals will be asked to sign a self-attestation, confirming that they have not committed, been convicted of, or prosecuted for, any criminal offence and that they have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

Date of issue: 19 December 2016 / LAN