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, a future

The Mexico Office supports the country deal with the migration crisis and implement actions to improve the lives of the children in Mexico in the areas of education, nutrition, social policy, child protection besides other transversal activities.

The office has been rapidly growing and needs strong HR Management during the consolidation of the structure and of the HR strategic function.

For more information related to the work of our office in Mexico, please visit our website: UNICEF Mexico, the video of our amazing results in 2023: A good six-year term for children: Un buen sexenio para la niñez or read our Annual Report 2023: Informe Anual 2023 UNICEF México.

How can you make a difference?

The Human resources unit is composed of an HR Specialist (P-3) and team of two HR assistants (GS-5), one HR Officer (NO-1) and two UNVs HR National Specialists who all report to the HR Specialist and aim to timely provide quality HR Business Partner services to the needs of all sections in the office. This position will cover the leadership of the team for one year, during the maternity leave cover of the current HR Specialist.

We are looking for someone with senior experience in Human Resources, who has excellent communication skills, is open to change and innovation and can work within a changing environment.

The HR Specialist, within their area of responsibility, is accountable for implementing HR services that enhance the capacity of their clients to deliver on their business goals and objectives. In doing so, the incumbent demonstrates the ability to anticipate HR-related needs and develop subsequent plans and solutions that align HR management with business objectives.

The key responsibilities will be:

1. Business Partnering
2. Strategic Human Resources
3. Implementation of assigned Human Resources Services
4. Learning and Capacity Development
5. HR Data Analytics

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  ToRs – HR Specialist P3 TA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD), preferably in one of the following fields is required: Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Psychology, or another relevant technical field.

Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in any relevant area may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree if the candidate has two additional years of relevant experience.

• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant of progressive work experience in Human Resources Management.
• Experience in supervisory roles is required.
• Skills:
  • Good verbal and written communication in both English and Spanish.
  • Analytical abilities and decision-making capacity.
  • Conflict resolution and active listening.
  • Management of multiple priorities and team workload.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Spanish.

Desirables:

• Experience in organizational design.
• Experience with conflict management.
• Experience in change management.
• Previous experience with UNICEF or another UN agency is considered.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable professionals from programmatic countries 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.

Please note that this is an international position, and Mexican nationals may not be considered.