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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

The focus of this function will be on the provision of specialized transactional HR activities pertaining to recruitment and placement, administration of entitlements, staff deployment, development and/or performance management-related issues. Specialized activities pertaining to the support of the application of HR regulations, rules and procedures in the context of the day-to-day and within the ongoing UNICEF HQs Efficiency Initiative (HQEI), which may be typically complex given the broader variety of solutions that are not always clearly covered in general guidelines. Thus, the incumbent will be expected to be able to adapt and interpret and propose to the supervisor.

This function, consequently, requires previous knowledge and/or hands-on experience of the HRBP's role/subject matter and the capacity to carry out tasks with a great extent of independence at least for the initial review of requests, tasks, complex cases, etc. Thus, managerial oversight for these positions may be limited to ensuring results are fulfilled according to agreed-upon guidance for actions, facilitating any issues that arise outside of established patterns, and work plans in general.

How can you make a difference?

Under the close supervision and guidance of the Human Resources Specialist, the Human Resources Assistant provides administrative, procedural and operational support and assistance to the efficient implementation of a broad range of Human Resources functions for all categories of staff in his/her office and to the multiple clients currently based in NY and other HQs locations, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF HR rules and regulations.  

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to business partnering

• Support the business partners in developing initiatives to encourage employee well-being and employee recognition schemes
• Support the management of change processes by advising clientele on changes to HR processes under the guidance of HR Business Partner
• Support the business partners in assisting clientele in using HR systems such as talent management, agora and achieve.

2. Support in the processing of entitlement and benefits

•  Initiates the processing of a wide range of personnel actions in accordance with UNICEF rules and regulations, by ensuring all relevant forms and actions are completed by staff and forwarded to the GSSC.
• Maintains and prepares all personnel-related records and files, ensuring all information on each staff member is up-to-date and accurate.

3. Support in recruitment and placement

• Prepares and circulates internal and external advertisements.
• Liaises with candidates in the various stages of the recruitment process.
• Prepares formal acknowledgement, offer and regret letters.
• Initiates and follows up on reference checks and academic verifications, and ensuring the completion of other background checks.
• Records and maintains recruitment files, ensuring all necessary documentation has been prepared.
• Monitors life-cycle of recruitment process to update the supervisor as necessary.

4. Support in organization design and job classification

•  Prepares documents to be submitted for classification to RO and NYHQ, ensuring completeness of documentation
• Monitors life-cycle of all job classification requests to facilitate recruitment and organization planning.

5. Support in learning & capacity development

• Develops and processes contracts for institutions providing training and courses, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations. 
• Assists team in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by preparing and organizing distribution of materials for participants, ensuring availability of training venues and required equipment and supplies, while providing logistical and secretarial support at workshops and events as necessary.
• Tracks the performance management cycle processes, ensuring the timely distribution and enhancing the timely completion and return of appraisals.

6. General office support

•  Drafting and/or processing a variety of correspondence and other communications
• Setting up and maintaining HR files/records (electronic and paper)
• Scheduling appointments and meetings
• Maintain and generate automated databases containing HR-related statistics and generating periodic reports; and performing a variety of administrative duties (e.g. leave recording, etc.).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative work experience in HR is required, preferably in an HRBP structure/context.
• Prior knowledge and hands-on experience in the application of HR rules, regulations, and procedures within the UN is desired.
• Previous experience in UNICEF is an asset. 
• The ability to effectively use standard office software tools as well as good knowledge and skills in using relevant HR systems relevant to the HRBP support role is required, e.g. Talent Management System, SAP, WEBHRIS, etc. 
• Ability to extract and format data and solve operational client-related problems
• Ability to organize own work, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Takes responsibility to respond to internal and external service needs promptly and proactively; takes initiative to ensure that deadlines, rules, and regulations are met. Uses own discretion to address unforeseen situations.
• Demonstrates a high degree of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment. Demonstrates courtesy, tact, patience, and ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Non-US candidates must be in possession of an existing US G4 visa or be a US permanent resident/citizen.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.