Human Resources Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide comprehensive operational support and advisory services to various entities across the United Nations Secretariat. This includes departments, Offices Away from Headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions. The Division of Administration, located in New York, is responsible for providing essential administrative support functions such as human resources, budget, finance, general administration, facility management, and commercial services to entities at United Nations Headquarters. The Division also extends financial operational services globally. As part of the Common Administrative Platform, the Division encompasses the OneEO, the Financial Operations Service (including OnePayroll), and the Facilities and Commercial Activities Service. OneEO is tasked with delivering a full range of administrative and operational services necessary for New York-based Secretariat client entities to fulfill their mandates, which includes human resources management, financial administration, travel, and general administrative support. This specific position is situated within the Common Administrative Platform at United Nations Headquarters, known as the One Executive Office (One EO), under the Division of Administration in the Department of Operational Support. The OneEO began its transition phase on January 1, 2026, as part of the UN80 reform initiative aimed at consolidating common administrative functions across Secretariat entities into unified service platforms. The Human Resources Assistant will report directly to the Chief of Unit/Desk.

Job Overview:
The Human Resources Assistant plays a crucial role in the recruitment and placement processes within the United Nations. This position involves participating in the selection of candidates for various positions, including secretarial and clerical roles. The assistant will evaluate and screen applications, prepare candidate profiles, conduct preliminary interviews, and manage roster searches for vacancies. Additionally, the assistant will oversee the filling of posts for all categories, ensuring that all pre-recruitment formalities are completed and that job openings are managed dynamically to meet target dates. The role also includes maintaining job opening files, processing personnel actions through the Umoja system, advising staff on visa matters, and providing general guidance on recruitment, placement, and relocation. Furthermore, the assistant will be involved in the administration of entitlements, staff development, and career support training, as well as classification processes. The position requires a proactive approach to managing human resources-related automated systems and applications, conducting research on HR-related issues, and preparing reports. The Human Resources Assistant will also provide general office support, including drafting and finalizing correspondence, budget preparation, and scheduling appointments. Training and supervising new and lower-level staff in the unit is also part of the responsibilities, along with performing other duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Resources Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Participating in the recruitment and placement process by evaluating and screening applications, preparing candidate profiles, conducting preliminary interviews, and managing roster searches for vacancies.
• Assisting in the filling of posts by initiating and following up on reference checks and academic verifications, managing job openings, and ensuring timely completion of pre-recruitment formalities.
• Overseeing the maintenance of job opening files and tracking their status to ensure timely management of staff appointments and assignments.
• Processing personnel actions through the Umoja system and advising staff on visa matters.
• Providing guidance on recruitment, placement, and relocation queries.
• Reviewing and processing requests for entitlements and maintaining reports from various HR systems.
• Offering advice on promotions and performance appraisals, and assisting in the classification process.
• Conducting exit interviews for separating staff and maintaining separation files.
• Maintaining HR-related automated systems and preparing periodic reports. 1
• Conducting research on HR-related issues and assisting in the preparation of notes and reports. 1
• Providing general office support services, including drafting and finalizing correspondence, budget preparation, and scheduling meetings. 1
• Training and supervising new and lower-level staff in the unit. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of experience in human resources management, administrative services, or a related area. However, this requirement is reduced to five years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in implementing the United Nations common system or similar international organizations' human resources policies and procedures is desirable. Additionally, experience in administering staff entitlements and benefits using an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as SAP (UMOJA) or equivalent is also desirable.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. While no specific higher education qualifications are mandated, candidates with a first-level university degree or higher will have their experience requirements reduced, making them more competitive for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in human resources management, administrative services, or a related field. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the required experience is reduced to five years. Experience in the implementation of human resources policies and procedures within the United Nations common system or similar international organizations is highly desirable. Familiarity with the administration of staff entitlements and benefits using an ERP system such as SAP (UMOJA) is also advantageous.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also recognized as a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, and while it is not mandatory for this position, proficiency in French may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is already a staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, depending on the funding source of the position. This temporary assignment provides an opportunity for the successful applicant to gain new work experience, but it does not guarantee future employment in the same role. The position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for international recruitment allowances or benefits. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and does not discriminate based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.