HR Operations Volunteer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and changing lives by delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Established with the mission to help the world achieve Zero Hunger, WFP operates in over 120 countries and territories, combining emergency assistance with long-term development. The organization aims to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the most vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, have access to nutritious food. WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and promote peace in conflict-affected areas. With a workforce of over 20,000 dedicated individuals, WFP operates under challenging conditions to reduce hunger globally.

Job Overview:
This volunteering opportunity is situated within the Human Resource (HR) Division, specifically supporting the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The role is designed to partner with 13 Country Offices to deliver strategic guidance and people-centered HR and Talent Management services, ultimately aimed at enhancing program performance across the region. The primary focus of this position is to stabilize essential HR operational capacity by supporting end-to-end staffing activities, which include contract management, case handling, recruitment, appointment, extension, and separation processes, as well as HR systems administration and data analytics. Key stakeholders for this role include the Regional Office, Country Offices, and Global Headquarters (GHQ) teams located in Rome and Panama. Success in this position will be measured by the timely and high-quality delivery of HR services, sustained operational continuity, and the effective fulfillment of Country Office needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consultant Recruitment Management: Support the recruitment process of international consultants, coordinating with the regional team and country offices from the request stage through contract closure, ensuring compliance with corporate procedures. This includes administrative reviews of requests, documentation, and eligibility, maintaining updated records, and monitoring key contract dates. Additionally, provide responses to technical inquiries related to consultants and prepare basic reports under supervision.
• Personnel Management Support: Assist in recruitment and selection processes, including application screening, preparation of longlists, coordination of interview panels, maintenance of monitoring tools, and follow-up of cases. Provide support in hiring processes, extensions, contract changes, and separations, ensuring proper application of payroll and benefits in accordance with current regulations.
• HR Operations and Case Management: Manage HR cases received from country offices in the region, ensuring timely and consistent responses while maintaining updated records and monitoring processes in corporate HR systems.
• Use of HR Systems and Data: Support the use and maintenance of corporate HR systems, prepare basic workforce reports and analyses, and contribute to data-quality and data-cleaning initiatives.
• Support to Policies, Procedures, and Guidance for Offices: Assist in the dissemination and interpretation of HR policies, guidelines, and SOPs, preparing notes, practical guides, and FAQs for country offices, and providing initial guidance to HR focal points in the region under supervision.
• Coordination and Process Improvement: Facilitate coordination between GHQ (Rome and Panama) and country offices on HR operational matters, contributing to process improvement, standardization, and digitalization initiatives, and supporting regional HR projects according to team priorities.
• Other Duties: Perform additional tasks related to HR Operations as required. Expected results include timely, accurate, and compliant support of HR processes, proper follow-up and complete documentation of HR cases, availability of basic HR reports and analyses for decision-making, and effective contributions to the functioning of the HR Operations team in the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work autonomously. They should demonstrate adaptability and flexibility, analytical thinking, sound judgment, and decision-making capabilities. Professionalism, self-management, and a collaborative approach are essential, along with empathy, emotional intelligence, and a positive, solution-oriented mindset. Cultural awareness and sensitivity are also important, as is openness to feedback.

Educational Background:
A relevant educational background is required, typically including a degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Candidates with advanced degrees or certifications in HR management will be viewed favorably, as will those with specialized training in HR systems and data management.

Experience:
Candidates should have a foundational level of experience in human resources or a related field. Experience in recruitment processes, personnel management, and HR operations is highly desirable. Familiarity with HR systems and data analytics will be advantageous, as will any previous experience working in international organizations or humanitarian settings.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable given the regional focus of the role. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Additional Notes:
This is a volunteer position, and while it offers valuable experience in HR operations within a prestigious international organization, it may not include a salary. However, it may provide other benefits such as training opportunities, networking with professionals in the field, and the chance to contribute to meaningful humanitarian efforts. The position is full-time and may involve working in a multicultural environment, requiring adaptability and cultural sensitivity. The living conditions in Panama City are generally comfortable, with modern infrastructure and good access to services, although candidates should be aware of certain neighborhoods that may require increased caution.