Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.

UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDP’s comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels. The UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and is anchored in UNDP’s long-term partnership with the Government of more than three decades. The country programme builds on the achievements of the previous CPD that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture. It aims to support Lao PDR recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its transition from LDC status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.

Position Purpose:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager, the HR Associate provides leadership in execution of the full range of CO HR services ensuring their transparency and integrity. The HR Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and promotes the maintenance of high staff morale.

The HR Associate may supervise and lead support staff in the HR Unit. The HR Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the CO, UNDP HQ OHR Business Partners, and staff in GSSC and other UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve HR-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

• Ensure full compliance of HR recording and reporting systems with UN rules and regulations, and UNDP policies, procedures, and strategies; effective implementation of internal controls; and proper functioning of the HR management system.
• Support CO HR business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal HR management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) where needed in CO to supplement SOPs issued by GSSC/OHR. Adapt processes and procedures where necessary to meet the needs of CO.
• Provide advice and share information on corporate strategies, changes in rules and regulations, implementation of HR policies, proper use of contractual modalities, application of benefits and entitlements, workforce planning, position management, job classification, performance management, personnel needs and wellbeing, career development and other HR related matters.
• Collect information and provide support to UNDP’s participation in inter-agency exercises and surveys, such as comprehensive and interim local salary, hardship, and place-to-place surveys, in coordination with the direct supervisor.
• Coordinate and provide HR support to the UN-system.
• Advise on the risk management of Country Office HR activities to proactively manage and mitigate the risk.

Ensure effective administration of CO human resources recruitment and staffing processes:

• Organize recruitment processes in coordination with GSSC and Hiring Managers that includes drafting job descriptions, providing input to job classification process, drafting vacancy announcements, screening candidates, participating in interview panels, and submission of compliance review cases as per the actions delegated to the CO. In coordination with Hiring Managers, submit requests and appropriate documentation to GSSC for non-delegated actions.
• Provide advice on recruitment in UNDP projects and facilitate recruitment at the request of partner agencies.
• Facilitate creation and update of positions in ERP, and association and update of positions to chart fields, in coordination with budget owners.
• Follow up with Finance staff and GSSC on Global payroll issues.
• Monitor and track all transactions related to positions, recruitment, benefits, earnings/deductions, retroactivity, recoveries, adjustments, and separations through ERP, in coordination with GSSC as applicable.
• Maintain the CO staffing table and administer CO local rosters where relevant.
• Validate cost-recovery charges in ERP for HR services provided by UNDP to other Agencies.
• Initiate contract management, payroll, and separations in coordination with GSSC in accordance with the delegation of authority given to Country Office.

Ensure proper staff performance management, talent management and career development in the CO:

• Facilitate the performance and talent management processes and maintain related data acting as Secretary to formal CO management groups responsible for collectively reviewing and discussing CO staff performance, talent, and development needs.
• Participate in preparation of the CO-wide Learning plan in consultation with the Senior Management, HR Analyst and Talent Development Manager.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO:

• Organize training for the Operations and projects staff on HR issues.
• Provide input for the co-creation of a local onboarding plan, leveraging corporate resources.
• Share information with personnel on corporate learning and development initiatives, systems, and platforms in coordination with the Talent Development Manager.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in HR.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise support staff in the HR unit.

Core:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2

• Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2

• Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2

• Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2

• Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination: LEVEL 2

• Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: 

• Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2:

• Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical:

Business Development – Knowledge Facilitation:

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

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
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management – Working with Evidence and Data:

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

HR – Assessment and Selection:

• Knowledge and ability to apply various candidate assessment and selection methodologies, tools and platforms; ability to effectively align them with specific recruitment needs

HR – Performance Management:

• Knowledge of and ability to guide the application of performance management theory, systems and tools, incl. articulation of expectations, setting objectives and performance standards; conducting performance related discussions and performance coaching; ability to develop performance management and appraisal processes that minimize biases

HR – 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

HR – L&D Planning:

• Ability to identify organizational learning priorities aligned with the business strategy using key stakeholder involvement to ensure appropriate learning and optimal return-on-investment

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements