Human Resources Associate, Multiple positions

Location: Home based

Organization: UNOPS

Deadline: 09-Nov-2025

Job Description

Background Information – Job-specific


*THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO ARE NATIONALS OF COUNTRIES IN AFRICA OR ASIA, OR APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS A VALID RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMIT OF COUNTRIES IN AFRICA AND ASIA, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION* 

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed a Global Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to operationally support the implementation of their mandate through the provision of Human Resources services.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1997 to assist member states in their efforts to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism, is one of the partners under UNTSS.

Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNODC operates globally to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address a wide range of issues, including drug trafficking and abuse, organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. Through research, policy advice, capacity-building, and technical assistance, UNODC works to strengthen justice systems, promote international cooperation, and uphold the rule of law and human rights in the fight against transnational threats

Under the direct supervision of the functional supervisor and the overall direction of the HR Advisor , the HR Associate is responsible for administering and implementing services, plans, and processes covering the array of Human Resources Management service lines for optimal employee and talent management, i.e. recruitment, learning, performance management, transition, organizational development, and contract management. S/he serves as the first contact for clients in resolving questions on processes and procedures and provision of guidance and information related to HR initiatives and services.

The incumbent will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

 Functional Responsibilities


The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
 

  1. Support to policy development and implementation
  2. Advisory Services
  3. Talent Acquisition and Administration
  4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing
  1. Support to policy development and implementation
  • Contribute to HR policy development and corporate HR initiatives by assisting to collect data on trends, risks and opportunities and sharing local HR best practices.
  • Assist with projects in support of HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy.
  • Support the communication of HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to management and personnel, providing guidance as needed.

       2. Advisory Services

  • Provide guidance on HR related systems and processes including but not limited to Recruitment, Contracts, Position Management, Performance Management, Benefits and Entitlements consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.
  • Provide advice and guidance to personnel on administrative procedures, processes and practices.
  • Act as liaison between unit and internal and external clients and provides proactive customer service to expedite completion of projects, and provide information.
  • As the first face of HR, ensure that new hires’ first impressions are positive and that they have all in-processing information completed.
  • Advise hiring management and guide personnel on UNOPS recruitment and performance management processes, and learning and development initiatives, resources, and plans.
  • Provide advice to supervisors on good practices, policies and procedures in performance management, including managing of underperformance.
  • Support the implementation of institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.
3.Talent Acquisition and Administration
  • Assist in recruitment processes ensuring best practices are used for effective and efficient talent acquisition in line with UNOPS policy.
  • Actively participate in work force planning at the office and project level and guide clients through recruitment and selection processes. Take lead on requisition initiation, longlisting, testing and interviews, formal approvals, selection minutes, reference checking, fee calculation, offers and rejections, and updating recruitment on-line information system.
  • Inform and advise personnel, consultants, partners and project personnel on their conditions of service and entitlements according to their contract modality, expediting actions to facilitate their efficient, timely, and client-focused onboarding.
  • Liaise with UNOPS’ HR related groups such as SSC on personnel administration matters and submit transactional HR service data (normally within the ERP system).
  • Establish and maintain monitoring systems, advising the supervisor on the status of pending requests and approaching deadlines. Follow up on team work processes to ensure clearance, approvals and timely workflows
  • Answer questions and follow-up with personnel and management to ensure completion of absences requests, performance management cycle, and other HR processes etc. in electronic information systems.
  • Liaise with relevant HQ and UN system units to exchange information and follow up on pending issues.
  • Set up and maintain reference files/records.
  • Follow up or process payroll verification.
  • Monitor status of HR actions to facilitate timely action by supervisor and line management, including on transactions initiated, expiring appointments/contracts, and pending separation actions.
  • Support efficient planning and management of the HR unit, including drafting annual recruitment plans, implementing designated projects in line with the corporate HR strategy, overseeing personnel file systems as well as provision of related statistical summaries and tracking movements of UNOPS personnel within the relevant business units.

       4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

  • Provide support to the organization, facilitation and/or delivery of training and learning initiatives for personnel on HR-related topics.
  • Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
  • Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
  • Undertake research on a range of HR related issues and provide content for notes/reports including quarterly and year-end reports for monitoring, statistical and review purposes by management.
  • Liaise with relevant HQ and UN system units to exchange information and follow up on pending issues.


Important Considerations:

  • These Terms of Reference are generic and indicative. Not all tasks listed may be required, and additional duties may be assigned as appropriate and consistent with the scope of services.
  • The focus of the HR Associate’s functions will vary based on the Unit’s needs, emphasizing either recruitment activities with secondary support to contract administration, or contract administration with secondary support to recruitment.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements


Education
 

  • Completion of secondary education (High School Diploma or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience is required, OR
  • A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent, with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience

Required

  • Relevant experience is defined as experience in an international and/or national organization in providing HR advisory, recruitment, Payroll, Personnel Administration and/or HR-generalist services.
  • Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office or Google Workspace) and experience in handling web-based management systems.
Desirable 
  • Experience in UN system organizations.
  • Experience in use of HR information systems, Enterprise systems including OneUNOPS.
  • Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices

Language Requirements

 

  • Fluency in English and French is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

 

SEE MORE DETAILS AND APPLY HERE

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