People and Culture (P&C) Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The People and Culture (P&C) Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the Regional P&C Section in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particularly during times of crisis and emergency situations. This position is responsible for implementing HR services that enhance the capacity of clients to achieve their business goals. The P&C Specialist will act as a focal point for HR emergency support, ensuring timely recruitment, onboarding, and deployment of personnel during crises. The role requires a proactive approach to anticipate HR-related needs and develop plans that align HR management with business objectives, especially in the context of ongoing emergencies in the region. The P&C Specialist will also contribute to emergency preparedness efforts and support the alignment of HR practices across the MENA and ECA regions, ensuring that the organization is ready to respond effectively to any situation that may arise.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Business Partnering: Serve as the primary contact for country offices managing emergencies, providing advice on all aspects of the employment life cycle in accordance with HR policies and procedures. Offer timely and accurate guidance on HR processes, ensuring client-oriented solutions that protect the interests of both staff and the organization. Proactively address HR issues and provide technical inputs for candidate selection for emergency assignments. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the employment cycle.
• Strategic Human Resources: Stay updated on HR tools and practices relevant to recruitment, talent management, and emergency staffing. Support the alignment of HR practices across regions and contribute to the implementation of HR initiatives that enhance workforce readiness and emergency preparedness.
• Implementation of HR Services: Assist with recruitment, job classification, HR data updates, performance management, and learning initiatives. Facilitate short-term and surge deployments in coordination with HQ and Regional partners. Act as the Regional P&C Emergency Focal Point, providing timely HR assistance during crisis situations and supporting emergency preparedness activities.
• Learning and Capacity Development: Participate in HR emergency preparedness and response capacity-building initiatives, enhancing the competencies of clients and stakeholders. Deliver HR orientation sessions for new staff and surge personnel, ensuring they are equipped to handle the demands of their roles effectively.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess an Advanced University Degree in human resource management, business management, international relations, psychology, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant technical field, combined with seven years of relevant work experience in Human Resources Management or a directly related field, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree for internal UNICEF staff on specific appointments. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resource management within an international organization or large corporation, demonstrating a strong understanding of HR principles and practices.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have an Advanced University Degree in human resource management, business management, international relations, psychology, or another related field. For internal UNICEF staff, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field, along with seven years of relevant work experience, may be considered as an equivalent qualification. This flexibility is specifically applicable to those holding full-time, continuing, or permanent appointments on abolished posts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human resource management, particularly within international organizations or large corporations. Candidates should demonstrate a solid track record of managing HR functions and addressing complex HR issues effectively, especially in emergency contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages such as Arabic, French, and/or Russian is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is critical for supporting UNICEF's humanitarian response efforts and may require candidates to be deployed to various emergency situations. The organization emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. UNICEF provides a range of benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The recruitment process includes rigorous background checks, and selected candidates must meet medical clearance and inoculation requirements. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.