Senior Human Resources Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The mission of UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees dedicated to providing protection and assistance to those in need. UNHCR's core values include professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, which guide its operations and interactions with stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Resources Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the HR functions within the UNHCR's AP Transitional Support Hub located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This position involves working under the direct supervision of the Administrative or Human Resources Officer and is responsible for various personnel administration tasks. The role includes assisting in the recruitment and appointment processes, managing performance and welfare issues of staff, and ensuring compliance with UNHCR's regulatory framework. The Senior Human Resources Assistant will also be expected to maintain effective communication with staff members regarding their rights, benefits, and entitlements, and provide guidance on interpreting UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations. This position is vital for ensuring the smooth operation of HR services in a high-volume, fast-paced environment, and requires a strong client-service mindset and attention to detail.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Human Resources Assistant include: assisting in the recruitment, assignment, reassignment, and separation of local service staff; preparing documents for interview panels; processing contracts, entitlements, and benefits for local staff; updating personnel information in the HR module; advising staff on their rights and obligations; assisting newly-arrived international staff with administrative formalities; administering UNHCR medical insurance for locally recruited staff; maintaining personnel records, including attendance and leave; initiating calculations for payments related to personnel issues; supporting risk management; and performing other related duties as required. The role also involves maintaining effective working relationships with HR counterparts and ensuring adherence to UNHCR's rules and regulations.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior Human Resources Assistant position include a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Essential qualifications include a good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes, exposure to support services in an international organization, and proficiency in IT and computer literacy. Desirable qualifications include field experience with UNHCR or other humanitarian organizations, high IT affinity, and experience with PeopleSoft/MSRP.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher being advantageous. Relevant certifications in secretarial or administrative fields are also beneficial. The role does not specify any particular field of education, indicating that a broad range of educational backgrounds may be considered.

Experience:
Candidates for the Senior Human Resources Assistant position should have at least 2 years of relevant experience in human resources management or administrative roles, preferably within international organizations. Experience in a transactional environment providing client services is also desirable, as is familiarity with UNHCR HR and administrative procedures. The ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high standards of accuracy and compliance is essential.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in English, with a good command of the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or the UN working language is required, and knowledge of local languages is considered a plus. Candidates should demonstrate at least a B2 level of proficiency in the required languages.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a temporary assignment with a hardship level of A (least hardship). The target start date is April 1, 2026, and the target end date is December 31, 202

• The position is full-time, and UNHCR does not sponsor work visas or permits; applicants who are not Malaysian nationals must already have their status confirmed to secure a work visa at the time of application. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test, and late applications will not be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital status, race, or other characteristics.