UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, Hope
In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, and to also support the Human Resources transformation strategy, UNICEF is embarking on atransformational process with a new delivery model, in a number of key areas, including effective talent acquisition with focus on talent management, and robust performance and career
management.
The Senior Leadership Support (SLS) Team is the primary HR strategic partner to UNICEF senior staff which includes UNICEF Representatives at all levels, and all other senior staff at D-1 and above levels. The team also oversees talent management for UNICEF Deputy Representatives, Chiefs of Field Offices and Chiefs of Field Services. In liaison with the Office of the Executive Director and UNICEF directors, and in collaboration with HR Business Partners and Regional Chiefs of Human Resources, the Senior Leadership
Support Team directly supports and partners with UNICEF senior staff pertaining to their mobilityand career development, strategic workforce and succession planning including management of talent groups; recruitment including sourcing and assessment, performance management; leadership and development; onboarding and offboarding; and contract management
As a seasoned professional, the Human Resources Specialist will execute particular HR services, primarily related to talent management. within the SLS Team. The incumbent's responsibility is expected to be carried out independently, with the primary focus of the
managerial oversight on the position being to ensure that results are delivered in accordance with the vision set forward by the leadership of the division. As a result, staff in these positions require an in-depth understanding of at least one HR function and how it relates to supporting the organization’s business objectives.
The Human Resources Specialists will be reporting to the Chief of the Senior Leadership Support Team.
How can you make a difference?
The HR Specialist, within the area of responsibility, is accountable for implementing HR services that contribute to enhancing senior staff talent management, engagement, and experience. The incumbent will primarily provide technical guidance on talent management related to interagency movements and collaborations pertaining to staff Loans, Secondments, and Transfers, as well as related talent management activities of the team. The HR Specialist is expected towork collaboratively with other pillars of the team to contribute to high performance of the team.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Provide technical guidance on inter-agency movements (Loans, Transfers & Secondments), including liaison with requesting offices/ agencies and individual staff members. Advise and guide on the programme modalities with various Internal Divisions/ Offices and external UNagencies/ Offices.
2. Provide effective and strategic support to relevant inter-agency processes, as well as negotiations of issues that are relevant to UNICEF’s priorities or its proramme of work.
3. Represent UNICEF in the inter-agency mechanisms in support of key inter-agency meetings relevant to the sustainability of the programme.
4. Carry out development and guidance of inter-agency functions; facilitate and organize consultations with other UN organizations and departments, and contribute to the development of UNICEF’s inter-agency positions and relevant substantive programme areas.
5. Contribute to the communicators plan of the Senior Leadership Support Team. Develop and maintain an internal web site on inter-agency issues and contribute to providing regular updates on issues related to inter-agency coordination
6. Coordinate the provision of development opportunities for Leadership Talent Group members through inter-agency loans/secondments, developmental assignments, shadowing opportunities, coaching, mentoring, etc. in close coordination with other UN entities.
7. Analyze existing talent pipelines from the learning and talent management perspective, providing pro-active, candid, consistent, relevant, and comprehensive advice and guidance that contributes to growth, development, and employee satisfaction.
8. Support Resident Coordinator (RC) and Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) system matters as a UNICEF focal point, including managing the respective talent pipelines; and liaising with the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
9. Support the Section Chief in identifying inter-agency opportunities and facilitation discussions on career paths for the SSR cadre and eligible Leadership Talent Group members.
10. Support the Section Chief in overseeing accreditation and agreement process for UNICEF’s Representatives.
11. In close collaboration with the Learning and Development Team, DHR, contribute to the career development and learning for the senior leadership cadre and the leadership pipeline.
12. Provide support to the Office of the Executive Director and affiliated offices on talent acquisition, job classification, career development, performance management, data analytics, learning & development etc.
13. Work closely with immediate team members and members of OneHR to support and contribute to corporate HR strategy formulation and global implementation. Provide feedback and make recommendations on the establishment and improvement of HR systems, policies, and processes. Other similar duties as requested by Chief, Senior Leadership Support Team.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: HR Specialist SLS P3
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Strategic
- Experience and ability to implement targeted and innovative human resources strategies to address clients’ people-related needs.
- Ability to implement innovative HR programs within a fast paced, evolving, and wide organizational setting.
Technical
- In-depth technical knowledge of the principles and concepts of human resources management.
- Ability to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate opinions and make conclusionsand recommendations to resolve same.
- Excellent knowledge of organizational and HR information technology systems and tools.
Interpersonal and Communication
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization tailoring language, tone, style and format to match audience.
- Ability to empathize with client managers, supervisors and staff while advocating forconsistent and equitable applications of promulgated HR regulations and rules.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role].
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per 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.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable HR Specialist are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
[CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.