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 within 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 delivering administrative support functions such as human resources, budget management, finance, general administration, facility management, and commercial services to entities at the United Nations Headquarters. The DOS aims to streamline and enhance operational efficiency across the UN by consolidating common administrative functions into unified service platforms, thereby improving service delivery and operational effectiveness.

Job Overview:
The Human Resources Assistant position is situated within the Common Administrative Platform at the United Nations Headquarters, specifically under the One Executive Office (One EO) within the Division of Administration. This role is pivotal in supporting the recruitment and placement processes, ensuring that new staff are onboarded effectively through the talent management system, Inspira. The assistant will participate in the selection of candidates for various positions, manage visa matters, and coordinate travel arrangements. Additionally, the role involves overseeing the maintenance of vacancy announcement files, processing personnel actions, and advising staff on various HR-related queries. The Human Resources Assistant will also play a significant role in staff development by organizing training courses and workshops, thereby contributing to the overall professional growth of the staff within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Resources Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: processing the onboarding of new staff, participating in candidate selection for General Service and Related Categories positions, coordinating with relevant parties on recruitment actions, assisting in filling posts across all categories, conducting reference checks and academic verifications, and ensuring the completion of pre-recruitment formalities. The assistant will also manage requests for entitlements and claims, provide support for training courses, conduct exit interviews, maintain HR-related automated systems, and prepare reports. Furthermore, the role includes general office support services such as drafting and finalizing correspondence, budget preparation, and scheduling appointments. The assistant will also be responsible for training and supervising new and lower-level staff in the unit, ensuring that all HR functions are executed efficiently and effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible 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 organization's HR policies is desirable. Additionally, familiarity with administering staff entitlements and benefits using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP (UMOJA) is preferred. Candidates should also have experience in analyzing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) within HR operations, which is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. While higher educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, candidates with a first-level university degree or higher will have a reduced experience requirement, indicating that further education is beneficial for applicants seeking this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management or related fields. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the required experience is reduced to five years. This experience should ideally include working within the framework of the United Nations or similar international organizations, particularly in the areas of human resources policies and procedures, as well as administration of staff entitlements and benefits.

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, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this role. Candidates are encouraged to refer to the UN Language Framework for detailed language proficiency requirements.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of the post or funds. This 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. Additionally, applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or other backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process.