Org. Setting and Reporting
The Global Strategy and Policy Division serves as the central strategic authority for all matters pertaining to the management of human resources. It ensures that the Organization has the strategies, policies, frameworks and tools to attract, develop and retain a talented and diverse global workforce. It nurtures a culture of engagement, leadership and results.
It provides policy, strategic and thought leadership, innovations and solutions for the end-to-end management of talent: from strategic workforce planning; talent acquisition; organizational and staff development and growth; performance management; including Organization-wide mobility and appropriate duty of care, for all Secretariat staff.
The position is located in the Human Resources Policy Section (HRPS), Strategy and Policy Development Service (SPDS), Global Strategy and Policy Division (GSPD), Office of Human Resources (OHR), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Human Resources Officer reports to the Chief of Section.
Responsibilities
Strategy and policy development
Develops innovative and modern new human resources (HR) policies, to meet the evolving needs of the Organization by making contributions to the implementation of the Secretary-General's agenda in areas such as the achievement of gender parity, the development of a family-friendly work place, recruitment and mobility, delegation of authority and enabling a flexible working environment;
Conducts and/or leads the comprehensive review of existing human resources-related internal policies (Secretary-General's bulletins, Administrative Instructions, Information Circulars and OHR Policy Guidelines and Directives), with a view to streamline, simplify, consolidate, revise, amend or abolish outdated or obsolete issuances to ensure the current human resources policy framework remains comprehensive, up-to-date and responsive to the needs of the Organization on the entirety of the conditions of service, including salaries, benefits and allowances, of staff members as well as affiliate personnel;
Makes recommendations on HR policy-related practices and procedures. Maintains OHR policy guidelines, develops capacity-building and learning materials, workflow processes and other relevant tools working in collaboration with other entities of the UN Secretariat and other organizations the UN common system;
Provides authoritative policy interpretation of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and HR policies on substantive policy and procedural questions related to the management of staff and the administration of their conditions of service (including but not limited to benefits and allowances), to senior management, HR practitioners in other entities of the UN Secretariat and counterparts in other organizations of the UN common system; and;
Keeps abreast of developments and best practices in various areas of human resources from other UN common system organizations as well as from other international organizations in both public and private sectors. Policy Advisory
Advises the Chief of the Section on the development, modification and implementation of United Nations staff regulations and rules, policies and practices in the management of staff and administration of their conditions of service including applicable salaries, allowances and benefits; and,
Provides policy inputs to the Office of Legal Affairs, the Management Advice and Evaluation Section and the Administrative Law Division with respect to potential and actual ongoing management evaluation requests and litigation cases at the UN Dispute Tribunals and the UN Appeals Tribunals. Similarly provides authoritative policy interpretation and advice to the Office of the Ombudsman with respect to ongoing informal resolution of and mediation. Other duties
Supervises and monitors the work of the junior human resources officers in undertaking the full range of human resource management policy related activities;
Represents the Service or Section in joint bodies and inter-agency working groups on issues related to HR policies and conditions of service of UN staff members;
Conducts research on private and public sector's strategies, policies and best practices, including those of other organizations of the UN common system, on General Assembly resolutions, Security Council and ICSC decisions;
Prepares draft Secretary-General's reports, policy papers, management position papers, briefing notes and talking points on issues related to HR policy and conditions of service of UN staff members, affiliate personnel and officials other than staff. Similarly prepares and delivers presentations to a wide range of audience both internal and external stakeholders on these topics;
Supports the substantive servicing of intergovernmental meetings by attending, making presentations and answering both oral and written queries received from members of the intergovernmental bodies (such as the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions on HR policy related questions.
Similarly support the conduct of both internal and external audits on HR policy related matters including meetings, presentation, oral and written answers to the Board of auditors and the Office of Internal Oversight Services; as well as subsequent implementation of audit recommendations, as applicable.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the Organization’s regulatory framework, including the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, administrative issuances on human resources policies and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate authoritative interpretation and offer solutions from an HR policy perspective mindful of the operational reality and potential constraints. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines.
Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business or public administration, social sciences, law or related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of experience in human resources management: policy development, interpretation and implementation, administration of benefits and allowances, conditions of service and compensation, or administration of justice or related area is required. Experience in human resources policy development and implementation or administrative law is required. Experience in provision of HR policy interpretation and HR advisory services is required.
Experience in human resources management in the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization with a large and diverse workforce is required. Experience in contributing to the preparation of official reports, HR policy and position papers, briefing notes, talking points and presentations for internal and external audiences on issues related to HR policy and conditions of service of staff and/or affiliate personnel is required.
Experience in providing authoritative policy interpretation of HR policies on substantive aspects and procedural questions related to the management of personnel and their conditions of service, including but not limited to benefits and allowances is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Desirable Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
French | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
United Nations Considerations
According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.