Human Resources Officer, P-3 UNCCD

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER :CCD/12/P/INT&EXT/04

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:20 May 2012

POST TITLE AND LEVEL DURATION: Human Resources Officer, P-3

DUTY STATION :One year, with the possibility of extension Bonn, Germany

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:SECRETARIAT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)

INDICATIVE MINIMUM GROSS ANNUAL REMUNERATION:USD 60,091 (with dependents), USD 56,091 (without dependents)


INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT

APPOINTMENT LIMITED TO SERVICE WITH UNCCD

The objective of this Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas.

The functions of the secretariat are, among others, (a) to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies established under the Convention and to provide them with services as required; (b) to compile and transmit reports submitted to it; (c) to facilitate assistance to affected developing country Parties, on request, particularly those in Africa, in the compilation and communication of information required under the Convention; (d) to coordinate its activities with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies and conventions.

The Administration and Finance Services unit (AFS) is responsible for the smooth operation of the secretariat so that the COP and its subsidiary bodies of the Convention are best served and supported. Central to its functions is the preparation and execution of a budget. AFS assures transparency of financial management and financial reporting, particularly as the United Nations adopts IPSAS accounting standards. The unit also handles human resources management, including staff development.

Also of importance to the responsibilities of AFS is raising the full potential of UNCCD’s information and communication technology services as an internal platform and external gateway. Finally, travel services are to be conducted in such a way that all Convention bodies can operate effectively.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Administration and Finance Services, the Human Resources Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Administration of Entitlements: provide advice on interpretation and application of policies, regulations and rules, review and provide advice on exceptions to policies, regulations and rules, administer and provide advice on salary and related benefits, travel and social security entitlements, determine and recommend benefits & entitlements for staff on the basis of contractual status, review policies and procedures and recommend changes as required, review and recommend level of remuneration for consultants, represent the Secretariat before the administration of Justice.

• Recruitment and Placement: identify upcoming vacancies in coordination with client Units, prepare vacancy announcements, review applications and provide a short –list to those Units, arrange and participate in interviews to select candidates, review recommendations on the selection of candidates by the Units, serve as ex-officio in appointment and promotion bodies, prepare and present cases to these bodies, prepares job offers for successful candidates, monitor and evaluate recruitment and placement related activities of Units, and recommend changes or corrections related to procedures to these Units, supervise and monitor the work of the Human Resources Assistants in carrying out all human resources administrative transactions including preparation of personnel actions, maintenance of the staffing tables, and processing of contracts and processing of contracts, plan , organize, develop , coordinate and administer programmes and tests related to recruitment of professional, general service and other categories.

• Staff Development and Career Support: identify and analyze staff development and career support needs and design programmes to meet identified needs, prepare monitoring reports on staff development and career support programmes, provide induction orientation programme and briefing to new staff members, provide performance management advice to staff and management, assist supervisors and staff with understanding and using the performance appraisal system (e-PAS), assess training needs, identify, design, and deliver training programmes to staff at all levels throughout the Secretariat.

• General: provide advice and support to Coordinators and staff on human resources related matters, prepare special reports and anticipate and / or lead special human resources projects, keep abreast of developments in various areas of human resources, maintain a current knowledge of UN guidelines, policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and exceptions.

• Other Duties: advise and counsel staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements, conduct and coordinate salary surveys assessing the labour market and establish salaries and related allowances of locally recruited staff, prepare classification analysis of jobs in Professional and General service and related categories, provide guidance to programme managers on the application of classification policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration or related area is required.

• Fluency in oral and written English is essential; knowledge of a second UN official language would be an asset.

• Other skills: Familiarity with human resources management systems and e-processes, good knowledge of the United Nations Human Resources policies, procedures and practices on recruitment, staff selection system and conditions of service is highly desirable.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

• Professionalism - Knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Planning and organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;

foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Client orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

• Teamwork - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

• Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.


All applicants are requested to complete a United Nations Personal History form (P.11) form available online at

http://www.unccd.int/secretariat/vacancies/vacancies.php

or at your local UN Office.

Interested UN staff members at the level of the post or one level below should attach their last two up-to-date PAS. Provision of the PAS is the responsibility of the applicant, and is MANDATORY for further consideration for this position. Due to the volume of applications all internal candidates and only those external candidates under serious consideration will be acknowledged.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED as per ST/AI/1999/8.

All applications should be sent to: CCD/12/P/INT&EXT/01, Attention: Recruitment, UNCCD, P.O. Box 260129, D-53153 Bonn, Germany, Telefax: +49 228 815 2898/99 or by e-mail to dzeller@unccd.int. No telephone calls will be returned. Please address your application as indicated above and please do not address your application to or copy it to an individual at the secretariat.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8).

The Executive Secretary reserves the right to appoint a candidate at one level below the advertised level of the post.


PLEASE INDICATE THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER ON THE ENVELOPE OR THE FAX, AND ON THE APPLICATION. Date of issuance: 21 March 2012