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, Care.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The UNICEF MENA Regional Office (MENARO) provides technical support and oversight to fifteen country offices and one Gulf Area Office covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

How can you make a difference? 

You will be responsible not only for executing targeted client support services to offices in both development and humanitarian contexts across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region but also for supporting the Regional Chief of People and Culture and senior management in instituting staff sustainable support measures within the existing policy framework and support mechanisms. You are expected to develop original and innovative strategies to address highly complex HR case management issues that deviate from established norms and share lessons learnt with the Humanitarian and Policy teams in the Division of People and culture.

Apply if:

You are a seasoned, proactive and empathetic People and Culture professional with strong leadership skills and a determination to find workable solutions especially in complex environments that demonstrate our UNICEF core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trist, Accountability and Sustainability.

You are full of energy, enthusiasm, and are comfortable to be positioned as the trusted advisor to guide and equip UNICEF colleagues in timely and consistent resolution of workplace issues,  using your knowledge of the UN staff regulations and rules, and experience working with formal and informal justice mechanisms to resolve staff and workplace challenges with tact and discretion.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities for this position include:

• Advising on the resolution of human resources issues within the MENA region offices, ensuring equitable and transparent solutions that protect both the staff and UNICEF’s interests in accordance with UN/UNICEF policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Triage of employee relations casework to identify potential solutions that appropriately address different case types and actions using established guidelines, ensuring consistency across Country Offices, including those in emergency settings.
• Keeping abreast of, researching, benchmarking, and implementing innovative cutting-edge practices in People Management and conflict resolution both at regional and country office level, contributing to the development of regional procedures and inputs into global polices.
• Promoting equity, transparency, and consistency in the interpretation, implementation, and administration of policies, procedures, and guidelines on all people and culture -related matters.
• Providing robust data analysis and reporting solutions based on regional business needs, highlighting key trends in employee relations to drive proactive solutions and minimize reactive work across the region.
• Contributing to the emergency portfolio of the region and supporting the regional People and Culture function to support country offices with preparedness, monitoring and reporting of people related action points and initiatives.
• Establishing and coordinating partnerships that enhance information and knowledge sharing across emergency country offices to capture good practices and lesson learned to infirm regional and global emergency discussions.
• Contributing to effective knowledge management, information sharing, evaluations and audits that will enhance effectiveness of Human Resources Management protocols and actions in humanitarian contexts including capturing of lessons learned and best practices towards enhancing new strategies, systems, processes, and tools.

To view full job description, please  Generic JD - HR Manager (P4) with edits for Case Management MENARO.doc

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

Education: An Advanced University Degree in human resource management, business management, international relations, psychology or another related field is required.

Experience: Eight years of professional experience in human resource management in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.

Experience with UN and UNICEF policies and procedures related to staff benefits and entitlements, and the informal and formal UN dispute resolution mechanisms and resources is highly desirable.

HR experience in humanitarian settings is highly desirable.

Experience and ability to help design and implement targeted and innovative people and culture strategies to address clients’ people-related needs. 

Skills: Strong technical knowledge of the principles and concepts of human resources management and the ability to develop clear goals and provide technical and administrative leadership, including analyzing systemic issues and formulate opinions and innovative strategies to address them.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively tailoring language, tone, style and format to match audience and the ability to facilitate difficult conversations in a considered and tactful manner.

The ability to allocate appropriate time and resources for successful achievement of goals, foresee risks, and allow for contingencies when planning and the ability to promote diversity in all HR activities.  

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic or French 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 

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.

This is a limited duration post for two years based in the UNICEF Middle East and North America (MENA) Regional Office in Amman. Considering the limited duration of the post based on its purpose to strengthen case management and emergency coordination capabilities within the region, internal candidates may be able to retain a lien to their current posts up to  maximum of two years, subject to approval by the Director, People and Culture. The incumbent will be required to travel periodically to Amman and country offices in the MENA regional office.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates with disabilities and candidates from the underrepresented regions of Eastern and Central Europe and Latin America 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.