UNOPS: HR Business Partner At UNOPS

Background Information – IPAS

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the seven practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Surge, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles:

Support to operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding of solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas.

Business efficiency: IPASrecommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.

Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.

Background Information – Job-specific

Under the IPAS HR Practice Advisor’s supervision, the incumbent will manage the team of HR Associates and Assistants in charge of recruitment and contract management for UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen. The incumbent would have to keep a balance between operational implementation efficiencies and policy/rules requirements, but also contribute towards long-term solutions by channeling practical recommendations through the IPAS HR Practice Advisor for improvements in HR policies and processes.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Support to HR policy development and implementation
2. HR Business Advisory and Stakeholder Management
3. Talent Acquisition and Outreach
4. Team Leadership
5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Support to HR Policy development and implementation

• Actively contribute with practical knowledge and innovative suggestions to HR policy enhancements and development, corporate HR initiatives, product designs and implementation
• Recommend solutions and process efficiency initiatives
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of corporate systems and tools
• Maintain client feedback/suggestions, as well as a log on recurrent challenges and make suggestions for long-term solutions through policy/process change
• Communicate HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to clients and HQ support team, providing guidance as needed.

2. HR Business Advisory and Stakeholder Management

• Provide guidance to HQ Directors and managers on HR related systems and processes, including but not limited to, Recruitment, Contracts, Benefits and Entitlements to ensure consistency with UNOPS rules and procedures.
• Develop a business partnering approach to ensure the highest possible level of service and client satisfaction, assessing and anticipating HR needs to provide value-added consultative service to management on human resource-related issues and maintaining an effective level of business literacy about business units’ objectives and plans
• Support institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.

3. Talent Acquisition and Outreach

• Oversee the application and implementation of talent acquisition and outreach for HQ business units
• Identify key talent areas and provide coherent, well-developed plans for obtaining, developing, and managing critical talent.
• Develop, utilize recruitment plans, tools and contribute to policy guidance to efficiently and effectively recruit and retain a diverse workforce to meet business objectives.
• Under the guidance of IPAS HR, coordinate the efficient administration of contractual modalities, loans, exchanges, and secondments in UNOPS Headquarters, including oversight of engagement with relevant partners.
• In collaboration with IPAS HR, coordinate personnel realignment exercises, including job fairs, to ensure timely competency elaboration, sourcing, selection, placement of required talent and transitions as well as due process.

4. Team Leadership

• Manages the team of HR Associates supporting UNOPS Headquarters, facilitating the engagement and provision of high quality results through effective work planning, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability within the team
• Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity, by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team, to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.

5. Knowledge building, knowledge sharing and innovation

• Oversee team’s contributions to HR knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.
• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation within the team to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches in HR
• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
• Guide the development and maintenance of HR analytic parameters, trends and data with the support of the IPAS HR advisory team.
• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for HQ personnel on HR-related topics in collaboration with the IPAS HR advisory team.

Education

• Advanced University degree preferably in Human Resources management, Business Administration, Communication, Social or Behavioral sciences is required.
• A First level University degree in related fields with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional-level human resources experience in an international, public or corporate organization.
• Within these 5 years:
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in recruitment and outreach is required as well as experience providing HR advisory services.
• A minimum of 1 year of international experience in a multicultural setting is required.
• At least 2 years of experience managing a team is a strict requirement.
• Demonstrated experience with high level stakeholder management is required.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages as well as web-based management systems is required.
• Experience working in a developing country will be a strong asset

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in another UN language, such as French or Spanish, would be an asset.

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: I-ICA 2
3. Contract duration : Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.