Back Human Resources Associate

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and established a Global Shared Service Unit (GSSU) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), procurement, advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSU was set up earlier in 2003 in Copenhagen and it provides customized service packages to more than 40,000 UN personnel from agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System. GSSU/HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration center within the United Nations and is recognized as a center of excellence. The Global Shared Service Unit (GSSU) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

In the area of Human Resources, the GSSU supports both staff and management in UNDP offices and units, with the full cycle of HR services ranging from recruitment, talent management, learning and development, HR policy and advisory services, benefits and entitlements management, payroll and banking transactions.

The Personnel Service Agreement Unit (PSA Unit) is part of the Global Human Resources Regional Service Center (GHRSC) in Istanbul and is responsible for HR life cycle administration including onboarding, hiring, life/organization events, the determination and implementation of benefits and entitlements and end of service matters for all holders of international and national Personnel Service Agreements (IPSA and NPSA respectively) and customized Partner Personnel Service Agreements (PPSA) for all UNDP Bureaux  and offices.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the P3 HR Specialist in Istanbul, the HR Associate is accountable for service provision, transactions and advice to internal and external clients and managers on the full HR life cycle administration for NPSAs in a way that is consistent with the purpose and objectives of the Clustering Business Case, which intends to support UNDP Country Offices by providing cost-effective solutions, improving governance and controls and increasing efficiency. The incumbent interprets and applies the NPSA policies, procedures and guidelines, establishes internal procedures, maintains high workforce morale with other team members, provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR administrative issues, and where necessary ensure full compliance with the Staff Rules and Regulations. The incumbent promotes a collaborative and client-oriented approach, sharing knowledge and best practice, including conducting training courses and coaching. Clients with whom there is direct contact may include other units in UNDP such as OHR and OFRM in BMS, as well as HR focal points in UNDP Country Offices worldwide and other UN entities such as UN Payroll, UN Insurance, UNJSPF as necessary. 

The Human Resources Associate is accountable for the integrity, transparency and equity of the management of resources, particularly the contracts, benefits and entitlements management as well as through advisory service to clients and partners.  The Human Resources Associate is jointly responsible for meeting the agreed GHRSC work plan deliverables supporting the overall HR Strategy. The Human Resources Associate supervises, trains and guides the HR Associate(s) assigned to the respective regional portfolio and undertakes day to day guidance to the team, in order to meet the work plan deliverables.

Advisory/Expected Results

Act as an internal advisor on matters relating to benefits and entitlements, fostering partnerships with internal and external stakeholders by briefing and advising clients, staff, colleagues and partners of the NPSA policies and procedures and the interpretation thereof to achieve the following results:

• Comprehensive HR strategy including benefits and entitlements management.
  Consistent approach in compliance with NPSA Policies and Procedures and where necessary, Staff Rules and Regulations.
• Client and partner confidence in GHRSC as an HR service provider.
• HR policies and guidelines relating to Benefits and Entitlements are reviewed and revised as necessary.
   

Administration/Expected Results

Administer, certify and approve processing of Benefits and Entitlements in full compliance with applicable NPSA Policies and Procedures and the Financial Accountability Framework. The HR Associate (NPSA) has approval authority for non-discretionary decisions under the applicable policies and procedures with the financial level of authority to achieve the following results:

• Equity and transparency in the application of NPSA Policies and Procedures.
  Client understanding and confidence in the GHRSC as a credible HR service provider.
• A high quality, timely and accurate service is provided to clients and partners.
• Accurate workforce database for personnel and talent management in the ERP.
• Safeguard of NPSA data quality through the available platforms and system reports.
   

Payments/Expected Results

Determine and approve financial entitlements related to contracts, including hires, life and organization events, end of service, ongoing entitlements and salaries in the ERP to achieve the following results:

• Accurate determination of financial entitlements of personnel transactions.
  Timely processing and approving of financial payments to support NPSA policies.
• Increased efficiency as a result of reduction in recoveries, advances and other exceptional payments.
• Accurate processing of financial entitlements to correct UNDP and third-party funds.
   

Workload Coordination/Expected Results

Act as a coordinator of the workload of the Team to ensure that work plan deliverables are met. Responsible for the performance management and learning plan of team members to achieve the following results:

• Optimal use of personnel resources within the Team.
  Team members meet their learning plan and results planning.
• Team members are motivated and empowered to perform their functions.
• Support Team members to meet the goals of the Team and GHRSC.
  Enable and empower the team through access to GSSU HR knowledge base and by sharing own knowledge.
   

Knowledge Management/Expected Results

Identify areas for improving processes and HR policies and developing business requirements to maximize efficiency and simplify procedures to achieve the following results:

• Recommendations for improved and new HR policies and guidelines.
• Contribute to building a knowledge base for the NPSA administration.
• Streamline payment and entitlement procedures to deliver optimal client service.
• Enhance work efficiency through constant evaluation and analysis of HR processes.
• Reduce costs of GHRSC operations and related costs to clients and partners.
• Reduce unnecessary paperwork and administrative processes.
• Provide input and support to further development of and implementation of eServices.
• Conduct training courses on NPSA administration and support induction to new staff.

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Ability to persuade others to follow

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Knowledge of HR management issues and principles and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations

• Ability to plan, direct, coordinate and implement compensation and benefits plans for the Organization

• Ability to organize, record and manage personnel interactions with HR including but not limited to terminations, separations, visa management, vacancy management, HR crisis situations etc. 

• Ability to motivate and inspire internal resources 

• Ability to coordinate and deliver services in line with unit work plans and Service Level Agreements and standards of excellence in UNDP

• Knowledge of enterprise learning and development issues, concepts, and principles, and ability to apply them to enhance the fulfillment and performance of employees

• Accurately accumulating information and its analysis; forecasting potential problems and planning; allowing for alternative, creative solutions and identifying most reasonable solutions

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Education:

• Secondary Education with at least seven (7) years relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration with relevant experience of at least four (4) years.
• Specialized certification in HR is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum 4-7 years of relevant HR experience is required at the national or international level, including some experience specifically in the area of HR transactions, benefits and entitlements administration.
• Familiarity with interpretation and application of UN/UNDP policies, rules and regulations is highly desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages (MS Word, Excel etc.). Demonstrated knowledge of integrated HR management systems would be an asset.  
• Work experience in a UNDP Country Office is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Full proficiency in Arabc is required.

Other:

• Familiarity with HR module in Oracle-based Enterprise Resources (ERP) is desirable.
• Commitment to the United Nations system’s mission, vision and values; cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Initial teleworking may be required.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

Only Jordan citizens or other legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

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Contract Duration: 2 Year with possibility for extension