Human Resources Officer, Nairobi, Kenya At UN-Habitat – United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Posting Title: HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, P3 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Department/Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Posting Period: 24 February 2023 – 09 March 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Human Resources-UN-HABITAT-202732-J-Nairobi (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. This position is located in the Human Resources and Training Unit of the Management, Advisory and Compliance Service (MACS) of UN-Habitat in Nairobi. MACS is responsible to coordinate and provide administrative support for the implementation of UN-Habitat’s work programme, either directly or through the engagement of third-party service providers. The Unit is responsible for the implementation of human resources policies, procedures and strategies to support UN-Habitat and its personnel in the implementation of its mandate. The Human Resources Officer directly reports to the Chief of the Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Resources Officer will be responsible for the following duties: General

•  Provides advice and support to managers and staff on human resources related matters.
•  Prepares special reports and participates and/or leads special human resources project.
•  Keeps abreast of developments in various areas of human resources. Recruitment and placement
•  Identifies upcoming vacancies in coordination with client offices.
•  Prepares vacancy announcements, reviews applications, and provides a short-list to those offices.
•  Arranges and conducts interviews to select candidates.
•  Reviews recommendation on the selection of candidate by client offices.
•  Serves as ex-officio in appointment and promotion bodies, examinations boards, and prepares and presents cases to these bodies.
•  Prepares job offers for successful candidates.
•  Monitors and evaluates recruitment and placement related activities of client offices, and recommends changes or corrections related to procedures to these offices.
•  Supervises and monitors the work of the Human Resources Assistants in carrying out all human resources administrative transactions including preparation of personnel actions, maintenance of staffing tables, and processing of contracts.
•  Plans, organizes, develops, coordinates and administers the National Competitive Examinations, G to P Examinations, Language professionals’ examinations and other programmes and tests related to recruitment of professional, general service and other categories of staff.
•  Coordination of Post Management functions for both core and project activities. Administration of entitlements
•  Provides advice on interpretation and application of policies, regulations and rules. Reviews and provides advice on exceptions to policies, regulation and rules.
•  Administers and provides advice on salary and related benefits, travel, and social security entitlements.
•  Determines and recommends benefits and entitlements for staff on the basis of contractual status.
•  Reviews policies and procedures and recommends changes as required.
•  Reviews and recommends level of remuneration for consultants. Staff development and career support
•  Identifies and analyzes staff development and career support needs and designs programmes to meet identified needs. Prepares monitoring reports on staff development and career support programmes.
•  Designs and manages sabbatical/external assistance schemes.
•  Provides advice on mobility and career development to staff, particularly young professionals and staff in the General Service and related categories.
•  Designs, plans, monitors and provides induction orientation programme and briefing to new staff members.
•  Provides performance management advice to staff and management. Assists supervisors and staff with understanding and using the performance appraisal system (PAS).
•  Assesses training needs, identifies, designs and delivers training programmes to staff at all levels throughout the Organization. Other duties
•  Advises and counsels staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements.
•  Conducts and coordinates salary surveys assessing the labor market at Headquarters and in the field and establishes salaries and related allowances of locally-recruited staff.
•  Prepares classification analysis of jobs in Professional and General Service and related categories.
•  Provides guidance to programme managers on the application of classification policies and procedures and by undertaking whole office review.
•  Assists in preparing policy papers, position papers and briefing notes on issues related to examinations and tests.

CompetenciesProfessionalism – Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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& 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.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management or related field is required. Experience in recruitment and staff selection using integrated information management systems is required. Experience in administration of large-scale staffing table is desirable. Experience in supporting an organizational-wide change management programme is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

•  This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
•  While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
•  Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
•  This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
•  Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
•  Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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