Senior Human Resources Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as UNESCO’s statistical office and is recognized as the official source of internationally comparable data on education, science, culture, and communication. Established to support the global education goals, UIS is responsible for the custodianship of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 indicators, SDG Target 9.5, and SDG Indicator 11.4.

• The organization focuses on three main pillars: developing international standards and methodologies, enhancing national statistical capacity through partnerships, and producing and disseminating data as a global public good. UIS collaborates with various partners, including UNICEF, World Bank, OECD, and the Global Education Monitoring Report, and provides quarterly updates for all SDG 4 indicators while maintaining the Global Education Observatory (GEO).

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Resources Assistant plays a crucial role within the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, providing comprehensive HR operational and advisory support to ensure effective delivery of human resources services across the Institute. Reporting to the Director of UIS and under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Officer, the incumbent is responsible for implementing HR policies, procedures, and practices. This includes supporting recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, staff development, performance management, HR administration, entitlements, and HR data management. The position is vital for ensuring efficient, timely, and compliant HR operations while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment that aligns with UNESCO’s core values of commitment, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Human Resources Assistant is tasked with a comprehensive range of HR functions throughout the employee lifecycle, including: A. Recruitment and Staffing: Providing advice and guidance in the preparation of job descriptions, terms of reference, and vacancy notices, ensuring compliance with UNESCO HR rules. Responsibilities include preparing and posting vacancy announcements, screening applications, administering tests, organizing interview panels, drafting reports, and managing selection documentation. B. HR Administration and Entitlements: Managing HR transactions such as contract renewals, separations, promotions, and performance evaluations. Administering employee benefits and maintaining personnel records. C. HR Advisory and Client Support: Responding to inquiries from managers and staff regarding HR policies and procedures, and handling non-routine cases through research and analysis. D. Onboarding and Offboarding: Managing processes for new hires and departing personnel, ensuring smooth transitions. E. Leave Management: Monitoring leave records and providing guidance on the use of the Online Leave Management System. F. HR Data Management: Collecting and analyzing HR data, preparing reports, and maintaining organizational charts. G. Process Improvement: Supporting the development of HR procedures and participating in HR modernization initiatives. H. Other Duties: Drafting HR correspondence and performing additional tasks to support UIS’s mandate.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary, technical, or vocational school education. A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources management, administration, or a closely related field is required. Demonstrated experience in recruitment and staffing processes, as well as administering employee benefits and entitlements, is essential. Candidates should possess excellent drafting, documentation, and analytical skills, with a strong attention to detail, discretion, and professionalism. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to deliver high-quality service in a fast-paced environment are also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes completed secondary, technical, or vocational school education. Advanced coursework, certification, or training in human resources management, public administration, finance, or administration is considered desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least eight years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration, or a related field. Experience in recruitment and staffing processes, as well as administering employee benefits and entitlements, is crucial. Familiarity with ERP systems and experience in an international or UN environment are highly desirable.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of either English or French (both written and spoken) is mandatory, along with good knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of additional official UNESCO languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is a project appointment with an initial duration of one year, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and satisfactory performance. The role is full-time and open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is 55,741 CAD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from candidates of under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and workforce diversity.