Organization Mission

At the heart of UNICEF”s work is the program countries. Each office works in line with UNICEF”s mission as part of a specific program of cooperation with local governments. Their work is based on a five-year plan based on a situation analysis and is provided with technical assistance by the regional offices. UNICEF”s work is part of other UN activities in the country.

Context

UNICEF, originally the United Nations International Children”s Emergency Fund, officially United Nations Children”s Fund since 1953, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The organization is one of the most widely known and visible social welfare entities globally, operating in 192 countries and territories. UNICEF”s activities include providing immunizations and disease prevention, administering treatment for children and mothers with HIV, enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition, improving sanitation, promoting education, and providing emergency relief in response to disasters.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the HR Officer, Social Benefits, the HR Officer will be responsible for the following functions:
• Provide technical and operational support on social benefits matters, including medical entitlements, pensions, life insurance, special education grants, and allowances, ensuring compliance with UNICEF and UN policies.
• Assist in the administration of the UNICEF Medical Insurance Plan (MIP) for locally recruited staff by:
o Coordinating with Third Party Administrators (TPAs) on claims and benefit queries.
o Supporting Regional/Country Offices with guidance on policy interpretation and operational issues.
o Preparing reports and maintaining accurate records related to MIP cases.
• Support the processing of ABCC (Advisory Board on Compensation Claims) cases by guiding Regional/Country Offices on submission requirements and liaising with the ABCC Secretariat and DHMOSH on pending cases.
• Assist on medical evacuation cases by providing timely assistance to Regional/Country Offices, ensuring adherence to established procedures, and liaising with external providers and DHMOSH as needed.
• Assist in managing complex sick leave and disability cases by ensuring timely documentation and submission to the UN Pension Committee, in collaboration with DHMOSH(Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health).
• Serve as a focal point for staff inquiries related to special education grants and special dependency allowances, providing clear guidance and escalating complex cases to DHMOSH when required.
• Contribute to policy and process improvements by identifying operational challenges, proposing solutions, and supporting the development or update of HR guidance and tools in the area of social benefits.
• Prepare data and reports for internal monitoring and external reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness

Required Skills and Experience

Knowledge of HR social benefits including medical entitlements, disability benefits, compensation for service-incurred injuries, and life and pension insurance.

Strong advisory and communication skills to explain complex benefits rules, procedures, and eligibility criteria to staff clearly and sensitively.

Case management expertise for handling complex sick leave cases, long-term medical issues, and special needs allowance requests.

High degree of confidentiality and discretion when working with sensitive medical and personal information.

Strong coordination and stakeholder-management skills to liaise with medical service providers, insurance companies, benefits administrators, and internal HR/legal units.

Ability to work under pressure and manage urgent situations such as medical evacuations (medevacs) or emergency compensation claims.

Proficiency with HRIS systems, benefits platforms, and case-tracking tools.

Excellent organizational skills including ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

Relevant Experience

At least 5 years of professional HR Experience. Focus on employee benefits, social protection, or medical entitlements would be a strong asset.

Direct experience processing or advising on claims related to service-incurred injuries, malicious acts compensation, or worker’s compensation would be an asset.

Experience delivering benefits briefings, trainings, or one-on-one counselling sessions would be an added advantage.

Demonstrated experience working in multicultural or international organizational environments, applying organizational HR rules consistently.

Core Competencies

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:
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living Conditions

Budapest, Hungary offers a safe, welcoming, and vibrant living environment for staff at UNICEF GSSC. The city is well-connected with major European and international destinations via regular air travel. It enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Accommodation is widely available and varies in style and cost, with modern utilities, reliable electricity, and clean water. The cost of living is moderate, and there is a wide range of food and entertainment options. High-quality healthcare, banking, and communications infrastructure are readily accessible. Working at GSSC offers a rewarding experience in a culturally rich setting, requiring adaptability and a global mindset.
Initial contract is issued upon start of assignment for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month,apx): HUF 660,833
Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400
Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): apx. HUF 55069.44
Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the exchange rate.

Leave entitlements:
Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
Uncertified sick leave: 7 days for 12 months and 4 days for shorter assignments
Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months (shorter assignments are prorated)
Maternity Leave: 16 weeks
Paternity Leave: 10 days
For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.