Human Resources Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is dedicated to delivering innovative ideas and actions aimed at empowering and transforming Africa. Established to support the continent's development, ECA focuses on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 206

• The organization operates with a mission that includes advancing its position as a premier knowledge institution, developing macroeconomic policies, designing innovative financing models, addressing regional challenges, and advocating for Africa's interests on the global stage. ECA's strategic directions guide its efforts to provide solutions to the continent's pressing issues, ensuring that local solutions are integrated into global discussions. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates across multiple countries in Africa, contributing to various development initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Human Resources Assistant position at ECA is integral to the administration of staff benefits and entitlements. The incumbent will provide experienced-level support in managing human resources processes, ensuring compliance with established rules and procedures. This role involves processing personnel actions, maintaining accurate records, and offering guidance to staff regarding HR procedures. The assistant will play a crucial role in onboarding new employees, managing staff movements, and facilitating offboarding processes. Additionally, the position requires the review and processing of staff benefits and entitlements, responding to queries, and ensuring timely service delivery. The HR Assistant will also contribute to reporting and process coordination, maintaining HR records, and assisting with data analysis for decision-making purposes. This role is essential for fostering a supportive work environment and ensuring that HR operations run smoothly within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Resources Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Administration of Contracts and Staff Movements: Carrying out onboarding processes for selected candidates, processing personnel actions, issuing Letters of Appointment, monitoring contract expiration dates, and processing contract extension requests.
• Processing temporary and permanent staff movements, including inter-agency agreements, and managing offboarding and separation personnel actions.
• Assisting staff with documentation for benefits, insurance, and separation-related processes by providing guidance, reviewing submissions, and following up on missing information.
• Administration of Benefits and Entitlements: Reviewing reports and records to process staff benefits and entitlements, maintaining personal status of staff members, and administering entitlements related to dependents.
• Responding to queries on staff entitlements and providing guidance based on established policies.
• Processing travel requests and reviewing time and attendance requests, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Monitoring submission of annual declarations and preparing documentation related to health/life insurance and pension funds.
• Supporting reporting and process coordination by compiling data, maintaining tracking tools, and updating standard information materials.
• Drafting routine correspondence and providing guidance to less experienced staff. 1
• Monitoring compliance with regulations and assisting with data collection and analysis for knowledge sharing and decision-making. 1
• Participating in special HR projects and ad hoc clean-up exercises as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Training in human resources or administration is desirable, along with a good knowledge of UN HR rules and procedures and HR systems such as Umoja. Proficiency in standard office software is required. The role demands a strong understanding of human resources policies and the ability to apply them effectively in an organizational setting. Candidates should demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a client-oriented approach.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. Additional training in human resources or administration is highly desirable. Familiarity with UN HR rules and procedures, as well as experience with HR systems like Umoja, will be considered advantageous. Candidates should also be proficient in standard office software to perform their duties effectively.

Experience:
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, administrative services, or a related area is required. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years. This experience should demonstrate a solid understanding of HR processes and the ability to manage various administrative tasks effectively.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is considered desirable, also requiring a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be recruited within the country or within commuting distance of the office. Staff members in this category are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. The recruitment process will include an assessment exercise and may involve a competency-based interview. All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening is posted.