Background
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With presence in 170 countries and territories, UNDP endeavors to help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. UNDP personnel are united by a common purpose: to help countries and communities across the world pursue peaceful, prosperous lives, lived in harmony with the planet.
Drawing on the diversity of UNDP’s client needs and partnerships, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is the hub for the global HR function for UNDP, providing strategy, policy setting, guidance and oversight. In addition, OHR provides a broad range of HR advisory and talent management services enabling UNDP to deliver fully integrated development solutions at corporate level. In this context, OHR is focused on the implementation of an ambitious and forward-looking three-year strategy, People for 2030, which will progressively transform UNDP’s culture and enable its workforce capacity to deliver more and better results.
Through People for 2030, OHR aims to be at the leading edge of HR in the international development sector by developing high quality and innovative human resources solutions and driving transformation across UNDP. In this renewed and dynamic framework, OHR is seeking high caliber human resources professionals with a strong HR background, and the capacity, commitment, and attitude needed to generate a culture characterized by innovation, entrepreneurship and a focus on delivering transformative outcomes.
In this context and under the overall guidance of the Chief of the People Performance Unit, the HR Specialist -Equal Opportunities will lead the implementation of UNDP equal opportunity and respectful workplace strategies and related plans and key People for 2030 priorities that propel UNDP to achieve its commitments. Within this context, the HR Specialist – Equal Opportunities will further strengthen the overall organization culture by promoting civility in the workplace, respect, and freedom from fear, ensuring that all personnel feel valued and empowered to contribute their best work.
Duties and Responsibilities
In this context and under the overall guidance of the Chief of the People Performance Unit the HR Specialist- Equal Opportunities will:
• Lead the implementation of UNDP’s Equal Opportunities strategies and related plans in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Drive and manage implementation of UNDP’s Speak-Up culture initiatives.
• Design and implement UNDP Equal Opportunities Center of Excellence (COE) that strengthens workplace respect and includes best practice knowledge, expertise, resources and data driven solutions including reporting.
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 to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
1) Lead the implementation of UNDP’s Equal Opportunities strategies and related plans in collaboration with key stakeholders:
Working closely with key stakeholders, drive and manage implementation of UNDP’s equal opportunity and respectful workplace strategies, and action plans and related actions which may include managing the initiatives, product delivery, stakeholder convening and events including but not limited to the global committee and reporting that support the overall objectives and goals. Provide subject matter expertise to key stakeholders from Bureaus and Country Offices on equal opportunities strategy components to drive uptake, and upskilling of relevant capabilities at office level. Lead implementation of mechanisms that measure organizational culture and the organization's performance towards the implementation of a safe and respectful workplace Lead the design and delivery of related learning and communication programs. Undertake survey initiatives; review and analyze relevant data, interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions to drive progress in equal opportunities related initiatives.2) Drive and manage the implementation of UNDP’s “Speak Up” culture initiatives
Lead the implementation of the ‘’Speak Up’’ program liaising with key stakeholder groups, ensuring effective management of outputs, collation of data and submission of periodic reports, updates, briefings, etc. Lead the design and deployment of tools that identify and measure the key elements of the current and desired ‘Speak Up’ culture for teams, and drive a discussion on workplace practices, opportunities for continuous improvement as well as identification of interventions that promote the desired culture change. Drive the design and facilitation of knowledge transfer and learning sessions for identified stakeholders, with a focus on ‘Speak Up’’ Culture principles In collaboration with others, lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive awareness raising and engagement strategy for the ‘Speak Up’ program. Lead efforts to create communities of practice that can help drive a speak up culture across UNDP Design and facilitate knowledge transfer and learning sessions for identified focal points on ‘Speak Up’’ culture principles, strategies, and tactics. Lead the design and deployment of model approaches that promote openness and trust within teams to further efforts to embed a speak up culture.3) Design and implement initiatives that strengthen personnel-management relationships and embed foundational practices that promote professional conduct, trust, accountability, and respectful engagement.
Collaborate with stakeholders to develop structured dialogue frameworks and tools that support constructive conversations within teams and promote professional conduct, civility and respect. Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate respectful workplace behaviors into performance management, leadership assessments, and development planning. Establish mechanisms that enable early resolution of tensions, foster mutual understanding, and build the foundations for a healthy workplace culture. Lead the centralization of policies, guidelines, and resources on employee relations and workplace respect ensuring these are available to all personnel through SharePoint.4) Design and implement UNDP Equal Opportunities Knowledge Management Center that strengthens workplace respect and includes best practice expertise, resources and data driven solutions including reporting.
Provide subject matter expertise, technical knowledge, coaching, support, input, guidance and advice on Equal Opportunities in HR across UNDP’s business units Maintain and communicate UNDP’s Equal Opportunities Knowledge Management Portal that serves as a centralized and accessible reference point for various key stakeholder groups across UNDP. Lead the monitoring, and reporting of UNDP’s equal opportunities programs and initiatives. Contribute to the design and roll out of Equal Opportunities related organization wide surveys and dissemination of results. Develop, monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators regarding programmatic practice, internal and external equal opportunities metrics, and respectful workplace organizational culture and practices Lead efforts to strengthen the advancement of best practice equal opportunities practices into the talent management cycle.5) Lead strategic reporting on Equal Opportunities and Respectful Workplace priorities.
Prepare high-quality inputs for reports, publications, background papers, and analytical briefs, including contributions to UNDP Executive Board reporting and strategic reviews in relation to Equal Opportunities and Respectful Workplace. Provide substantive support to internal and external meetings related to Equal Opportunities or Respectful Workplace culture, including agenda development, stakeholder coordination, and preparation of key documents and presentations. Participate in relevant inter-agency forums to share knowledge, align practices, and contribute to system-wide discussions on respectful workplace strategies as needed.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: None
Competencies
Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here
Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility- LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical competencies
Talent management - Diversity and inclusion:
Ability to design and deliver diversity and inclusion approaches; ability to integrate diversity and inclusion considerations into the specific people and organizational strategies, policies, and initiatives; knowledge of the theory and methods to mitigate biases and eliminate discrimination; knowledge of practical ways to increase participation of under-represented groups in the workforce; knowledge of inclusive workplace practices and behaviorsTalent management - Employee engagement:
Knowledge of theories and models of human motivation and engagement including the predictors of employee engagement: knowledge of and ability to guide application of tools, techniques, and processes to increase employee engagement: knowledge of tools and methodologies to measure employee engagement and to identify its specific drivers: knowledge of tools and methodologies to ensure regular engagement with personnel on key workplace matters, with a view to identifying the most pressing workplace issuesBusiness Direction & Strategy - Strategic thinking:
Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresightBusiness Direction & Strategy - System thinking:
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemBusiness Management - Results-based management:
Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts,Business Management - Change management:
Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organisational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementingBusiness Management - Portfolio Management:
Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of keyRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) to one of the following areas Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Law, Political Sciences, and International Relations are required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeExperience:
Required
Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of implementing human resources or equal opportunity programs in complex, international or multinational organizations is required. At least 7 years of project/program management experience driving complex projects against KPIs to completion is required. At least 3 years of demonstrable equal opportunities subject matter expertise is required. Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions that foster diverse inputs is required. Experience in managing programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results is required. A track record of achieving results in equal opportunities and promoting the implementation of strategies or action plans is required.Desired
Progressively responsible experience in respectful workplace related change management initiatives is an asset. Evidence of developing and implementing industry-leading best practices on equal opportunities is an asset. Experience developing strategies and executing initiatives that drive measurable results within the context of UNDP’s talent and business strategy is desired. Advanced relationship-management experience and consulting skills, with a superior ability to influence, lead, engage and build consensus across various levels of leaders through collaboration and influence is asset. Records of presenting data, insights, or information in compelling ways to mobilize resources, talent or action is desirable. Experience in working with UNDP in roles related to promoting respect, civility and dignity is an asset.Language requirements
Fluency in oral and written English is required.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
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