UNDP : Human Resources Associate – New York
JOB DETAIL
UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and established a Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSC was set up earlier in 2003 in Copenhagen and it provides customized service packages to more than 40,000 UN personnel from agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System. GSSC-HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration centre within the United Nations and is recognized as a centre of excellence. The Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).
In the area of Human Resources, the Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) supports UNDP offices, as well as other UN agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System with the provision of transactional services, support services to personnel and advisory services to both personnel and management.
The Human Resources Associate (HRA) in the GSSC-HR Unit is accountable for ensuring transparency, accuracy and assuring full compliance with Staff Rules/Regulation and/ UNDP HR policies and guidelines.
Under the guidance and supervision of the HR Specialists and the HR Analysts/HR Associates, the HRA manages the determination and implementation of benefits and entitlements of Fixed Term, Temporary Appointments and Permanent Appointments of International staff, General Service staff and interns globally, covering life and career events from pre-appointment to beyond separation.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
The Human Resources Associate (HRA) in the GSSC-HR Unit is accountable for ensuring transparency, accuracy and assuring full compliance with Staff Rules/Regulation and/ UNDP HR policies and guidelines.
The HRA advises internal and external clients and managers on benefits and entitlements, Staff Rules/Regulations and HR policies/guidelines and promotes a collaborative and client-oriented approach, sharing knowledge and best practice, including conducting training courses and coaching.
Clients with whom there is direct contact include International Professional, General Service staff of UNDP, sister UN Agency staff and interns globally, as well as other units in UNDP such as OHR and OFM in BMS, as well as the Executive Officers/HR Associates (local HR) in global UNDP and other UN entities such as UN Payroll, UN Insurance, UNJSPF and more.
The HRA is jointly responsible for meeting the agreed GSSC-HR work plan deliverables supporting the overall HR Strategy.
Advisory/ Expected Results
Act as an internal advisor on matters relating to benefits and entitlements, fostering partnerships with internal and external stakeholders by briefing and advising clients, staff, colleagues and partners of the rules and regulations and the interpretation thereof to achieve the following results:
- Comprehensive HR strategy including benefits and entitlements management.
- Consistent approach in compliance with Staff Regulations and Rules and policies.
- Client and partner confidence in GSSC HR as an HR service provider.
- HR policies and guidelines relating to Benefits and Entitlements are reviewed and revised as necessary.
Administration / Expected Results
Administer, certify and approve processing of Benefits and Entitlements in full compliance with Staff Regulations and Rules and Financial Accountability Framework and policies. The HRA2 has approval authority for non-discretionary decisions under the applicable staff rules and within the financial level of authority, to achieve the following results:
- Equity and transparency in the application of Staff Regulations and Rules and Holder policies.
- Client understanding and confidence in GSSC HR as a credible HR service administrator.
- A high quality, timely and accurate service is provided to clients and partners.
- Accurate staff database for staff and talent management.
Payments /Expected Results
Determine, verify and approve financial entitlements related to contracts, including hires, life and organization events, end of service, ongoing entitlements and salaries to achieve the following results:
- Accurate determination of financial entitlements of personnel transactions.
- Timely processing and approving financial payments to support the staff policies.
- Increased efficiency as a result of reduction in recoveries, advances and other exceptional payments.
- Accurate processing of financial entitlements to correct UNDP and third-party funds.
Knowledge Management / Expected Results
Recommend, create and maintain knowledge management prescriptive content for benefits and entitlements to achieve the following results:
- HR knowledge management system contains accurate and comprehensive coverage of Benefits and Entitlements matters.
- Staff are enabled and empowered through access to GSSC HR knowledge base.
- Full transparency of the administration of Benefits and Entitlements.
- Continuous learning and development for HR staff by keeping abreast with HR best practices.
- Conduct training courses on Benefits and Entitlements.
Streamlining processes / Expected Results
Identify areas for improving processes and HR policies and developing business requirements to maximize efficiency and simplify procedures, to achieve the following results:
- Recommendations for improved and new HR policies and guidelines.
- Streamline payment and entitlement procedures to deliver optimal client service.
- Enhance work efficiency through constant evaluation and analysis of HR processes.
- Reduce costs of GSSC HR operations and related costs to clients and partners.
- Reduced unnecessary paperwork and administrative processes.
- Provide input and support to further development of and implementation of self service
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
HR – Compensation/ Remuneration: Managing compensation and benefits
- Ability to design compensation plans which are aligned to current and future organization needs and market conditions; knowledge of and ability to apply the ICSC compensation methodologies and principles.
- Knowledge of and ability to design benefits-related processes, programmes, and tools, including benefit enrolment and amendments.
Business Development: Knowledge Generation
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Business Management: Change Management
- Ability to prepare, support, and help individuals and teams in designing and implementing organizational change.
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
Business Management: Digital Awareness and Literacy
- Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.
Business Management: Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs.
- Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
- Secondary Education with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration with relevant experience of a minimum of three (3) years will be given due consideration.
- Specialized certification in HR is highly desirable.
- Minimum 3-6 years of relevant HR experience is required at the national or international level, including some experience specifically in the area of HR transactions, benefits and entitlements administration.
- Familiarity with interpretation and application of UN/UNDP policies, rules and regulations is highly desirable.
Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages (MS Word, Excel etc.). Demonstrated knowledge of integrated HR management systems would be an asset. - Experience in the international development field and in liaising with partners in international organizations is desirable.
- Working experience in UNDP or other international organization is desirable.
- Familiarity with HR module in Oracle-based Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system is desirable.
Language requirements (Required/Desired)
- Fluency in written and spoken English (Required).
- Working knowledge of other UN language (French/Spanish/Arabic) would be an advantage (Desired).
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements
