HUMAN RESOURCES POLICY OFFICER, P3 At UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Posting Title : HUMAN RESOURCES POLICY OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title : Human Resources Policy Officer
Department/ Office : UNRWA – Human Resources – Headquarters Amman
Location : HQ Amman
Posting Period : 14 March 2023-3 April 2023
Job Opening number : 23-HRE-UNRWA – Human Resources-203840-J-HQ
Amman (R)
Staffing Exercise : N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff
working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to
make a change.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the
most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.
This position is primarily responsible for reviewing, amending and maintaining Personnel
Directives, Staff Rules, Staff Regulations and other HR administrative issuances; including
managing the stakeholder engagement process, ensuring administrative law lessons learned
are included in process, moving policy through from drafting to promulgation, crossreferencing
revisions throughout the regulatory framework.
The Human Resources Policy Officer reports to Senior Human Resources Policy Officer.
Responsibilities
– In accordance with HR policy development priorities set under the leadership of the Director
of Human Resources, works consultatively and in close cooperation with HR colleagues in
Headquarters and the Fields; develops new or revised policies; advises on feasibility,
soundness, legality and compatibility with existing rules and guidelines and on impact on
other functional areas in HRD and other Departments; researches UN system policies to
ensure optimal coherence; ensures alignment with administrative law jurisprudence;
determines appropriate recommendations for delegations of authority; consults staff
representatives; arranges for translation of final policies; organizes promulgation of policies
once authorized.
– Contributes to the effective roll-out and implementation of new or revised HR policies by
conducting/participating in HR policy briefings, communications and awareness-raising
activities, including visits to HR teams in the Fields.
– Prepares and assists in the preparation of policy guidance, reports and correspondence
including coordination of inputs to Joint Inspection Unit, UN Board of Auditors, UN system
surveys and other bodies; conducts research and prepares or assists in the preparation of
analysis of existing human resources practices and prepares guidance to harmonize practices
Agency-wide and procedures to meet the evolving needs of the Agency; assesses the
adequacy of existing HR policies; identifies issues that require change, proposes
modifications and drafts related to policy papers, reports and opinions, taking into account
best practice of the Agency and the United Nations Common system in general; represents the
division on internal committees and working groups as well as inter agency for a such as HR
Network, International Civil Service Commission, Inter-Agency Repository of HR Policy,
Chief Executive Board related to HR policy development and coordination.
– In close coordination with the Senior Human Resources Policy Officer, provides advice to
the Deputy Director of Human Resources on policy issues related to the interpretation and
application of the regulations, rules and other administrative issuances taking into account
past practice and jurisprudence, including substantive and procedural questions related to
administration and management of staff.
– Assumes Officer-in-Charge duties during absences of Senior HR Policy Officer.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core
Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by
default.
Applying Technical Expertise
Analyzing
Relating and Networking
Planning and Organizing
Learning and Researching
Solid English drafting skills
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational
institution in law, human resources management, business administration or related discipline.
Job Specific Qualifications
Work Experience
– At least five years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in human resources,
is required.
– At lease two year of work experience in human resources, with an international organization
is required
– At least three years of experience in drafting HR policies and procedures is required.
– Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
candidate for an international post must have a minimum of 2 continuous years of relevant
international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate
is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number, is required.
– Admin Law experience, is desirable.
– Knowledge of the UN Rules, Regulations and Procedures, is desirable.
Languages
Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be
followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Type of Contract and duration: Temporary Appointment for 364 days, with the possibility of
further extension subject to availability of funds, need and performance.
The Human Resources Policy Officer will be required to reside in Amman and to travel
occasionally throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East..
Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be
considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the
requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
eligible for a temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Equivalency:
Equivalency may apply.
NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not
considered an acceptable combination.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states,
regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA
is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the
difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
United Nations Considerations
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to
assignment by him or her.
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current
UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from
under-represented groups.
At UNRWA, 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. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and
inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with
disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when
requested and indicated in the application.
UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence,
neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human
rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who
fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs.
Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who
have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for
employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of
misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear
on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
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.