UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, innovation

Located in New York, the Central Services Centre (CSC) is set to deliver the improved business and operational processes - to modernize them through automation and integration of systems, reduce duplication of work, maximize efficiencies and minimize cost. This will contribute to effective coordination and HR service provisions, that would enable the programming environment to operate effectively and efficiently and to deliver high quality, responsive, timely and equitable human resources services to all staff based in NYHQs.

How can you make a difference?

The Human Resources Officer (HRO) will report to the HR Manager (P4) and supervise a team of HR professionals at the GS level, to provide quality client-focused services according to agreed time standards, develop expertise, promote consistency, and reduce processing time through familiarity with related guidelines and regular engagement in related processes.

The incumbent will work with team to improve quality, timeliness, and productivity of HR service delivery through specialization and streamlined work processes; increase efficiency by reducing internal management of work processes.

• Oversee application of HR services and provide guidance to CSC HR colleagues on correct way to process transactions
• Monitor and Ensure HR services are delivered within established SLA
• Contribute to the improvement of HR services via streamlining HR transactions to ensure client satisfaction.
• Provide guidance to GS staff in the team on updated policy and entitlements.
• Support the HR manager in creating and maintaining standard operating procedures for NYHQ-centric staff services.
• Maintain and update onboarding and welcome booklet to ensure required actions are illustrated and communicated to staff joining NYHQ.
• Send welcome emails which include onboarding details and actions for staff members.
• Coordinate bi-annual disability review exercise: provide training to colleagues on how to calculate SM exhaustion payoff sick leave entitlements.

• Oversee certification of G-4 visa initial application/renewal form for SM and family members on derivative G-4 visa; also G-5 visa application form for household employees.
• Guide and oversee certification and authorization of staff member travel entitlements.
• Coordinate with GS staff in the team to support offboarding process (Service Gateway requests and relevant actions collaborating with GSSC colleagues.
• Oversee grounds pass applications
• Ensure transactional services are met within established SLA

• Liaise with respective focal point in NYHQ divisions to ensure proper actions are taken for relevant HR activities throughout the employment cycle.
• Long Service Awards (LSA) NYHQ focal point: Coordinate with GSSC on issuance of staff member LSA. Facilitate the review with divisions.
• Continuing Appointment Exercise: regional focal point to compile and seek approval from Director, DHR, continuing appointments
• Partner with counterparts at the UN (Visa and Tax unit etc.) to keep abreast of recent regulations and guidance.
• Partner with counterparts at the UN and US Mission to ensure visa regulations and requirements are being held

• Support the HR manager to address any complex issues.
• Conduct proper investigations and make recommendations to the HR manager for case management.

• Train new colleagues and provide refreshers information/training sessions on applicability of HR matters and roles, G-4 visa etc.
• Provide trainings/guidance for updated HR policies.

• Supervise a team and deliver supervisory support on aspects related to performance, leave, training, career development etc.
• Ensure ongoing monitoring and discussions around individual performance and support development of the staff member by facilitating career progression and opportunities.
• Support the coordination of work and provide specialized advice to the team. Priority is on delivery of overall results and performance.
• Develop staff through coaching and mentoring.

• Collect, interpret and analyze HR data to help informed decision making on the efficiency of the HR Central Services Centre overall processes and support to the clients.
• Support the development and implementation of data collection systems to optimize data quality for the Central Services Center.

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

• A University Degree in human Resources Management, Business Management, and/or International Relations and Social Sciences.

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in Human Resource Management in an international organization and/or large corporation supporting shared and/or common services is required.

• A minimum of two (2) years in a professional supervisory role is required.

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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

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

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.