Human Resources Associate

Information

Common information

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background and Organizational Context

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP advocates for change, and connects countries to global knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

UNDP has supported Kyrgyzstan’s development progress since 1992 and supports the country in charting future pathways towards greater prosperity, resilience, and social cohesion. As an impartial policy advisor and integrator, UNDP works within the UN system and with all stakeholders in government, civil society, and private sector to advance inclusive, fundamentally sound development solutions and reforms in complex settings. Our United Nations identity ensures neutrality and respect for people’s choices. Transparency and accountability in operations makes us a trusted partner for national and international development stakeholders. 

UNDP encourages and enables collective intelligence, collaboration, integration, critical thinking, and thought leadership. We mainstream innovation, digitalization opportunities, gender equity and diversity/inclusion principles in all aspects of our work. Our staff consistently strive for excellence, effectiveness, efficiency and inclusion across all areas of work. 

In close cooperation with the UNDP Programme teams and other Country Office units, the Operations team supports the UNDP Country Office and programme implementation through the provision of relevant and timely procurement, finance, ICT and digital services, General Admin Services, Common Services, and Human Resources support. This includes a focus on collaboration, innovation, speed and administrative efficiency as well as advisory services for enhanced planning. 

The unit contributes to a collective engagement with other teams, partners, and clients to offer timely, well-planned, and efficient services that meet the standard and requirements of UNDP policies and procedures. Through cross-unit collaboration, the teams harness innovation and digital solutions, while fostering an environment of continuous learning. 

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Operations Manager and the direct supervision of the Head of People Services, the HR Associate provides proactive client-oriented execution of the full range of CO HR services ensuring their compliance with corporate standards, transparency and integrity. The HR Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach, with the objective to maintain high staff morale. The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency of the CO including improved business results and client services. 

The HR Associate works in close partnership with Programme, Operations, and Project teams in the CO, GSSC and the respective teams in the Istanbul Regional Hub and UNDP HQ staff ensuring successful delivery of people services and products meeting the needs of the CO.

Qualification requirements

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education is required, or
• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences and relevant fields will be given due consideration.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years with Secondary education or 3 years with Bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible HR and administrative experience is required at the national or international level. 
• Knowledge of the Human Resources management practice in an organization of the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable. 
• Professional HR Certification is a distinct advantage.
• Prior work experience in using ERP systems is desirable. 
• Experience with HR processes re-engineering is an advantage. 

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English and Russian required. Kyrgyz language a strong advantage. Fluency in other UN languages is also beneficial.

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business management

• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Business Development

• Knowledge generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

HR – Recruitment

• Assessment and selection: 
  • Knowledge and ability to apply various candidate assessment and selection methodologies, tools and platforms; 
  • ability to effectively align them with specific recruitment needs.

HR - Compensation /Remuneration

• Payroll Management: Knowledge of and ability to apply mechanisms and tools to collect payroll data, process payroll, and manage payroll reports.
• Managing benefits: Knowledge of and ability to design benefits-related processes, programmes, and tools, including benefit enrolment and amendments.

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Duties

Duties and Responsibilities

Administration and implementation of HR strategies and policies, adapts processes and procedures:

• Full compliance of HR recording and reporting systems with UN rules and regulations, UNDP policies, procedures and strategies; effective implementation of the internal control framework, proper functioning of the HR management system.
• Provide support and information on corporate strategies, changes in policies, rules and regulations, implementation of personnel rules, strategic use of contractual modalities, application of entitlement, assessing the impact of changes and making recommendations on their implementation in the CO. 
• Input and support to CO HR business processes mapping and internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal controls in HR, in consultation with unit head and CO management, in line with GSSC services.
• Support timely case submission to GSSC as needed, and proactively follow-up for timely case completion.
• Support to the identification and development of concepts for e-tools to be applied in the management of HR processes.
• Contribute to UNDP being a partner of choice for operational backbone services in the UN system, and to the development of strong client relationships with UN agencies to which we provide Agency services.

Ensures effective administration of human resources:

• Organization of HR recruitment processes for local and international Temporary Appointments (TA) and Fixed-Term (FTA) positions and Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) positions, including from, but not limited to, drafting job description to onboarding. Provision of HR advice on recruitment procedures and technical support to selection processes.
• Preparation of submissions, and coordination of work of the local and central review bodies as appropriate and applicable.
• HR and contract management support to other UN Agencies as applicable.
• Perform general HR support, monitoring and management of Admin/HR, payroll/ Position Administrator and Absence/leave monitoring and Processor etc. in ERP systems as needed. 
• Develop and maintain effective tracking files/tools for staff and personnel. 
• Administration of the Internship, UNV, roster systems and other personnel programmes for UNDP CO and projects.
• Monitor HR services provided by UNDP to projects and other UN agencies. and submission of cost-recovery charges information for further processing
• Coordinates closely with GSSC to ensure compliance and meeting the business needs of the CO.

Facilitates performance and talent management, knowledge sharing and career development of staff:

• Support to the facilitation of the performance appraisal process and related activities and maintenance of the related data.
• Ensures the implementation of the performance planning and appraisal process for PSA and non-staff contract holders in the Country Office and projects. 
• Provision of support and relevant guidance in addressing performance-related cases. 
• Input and implementation of the Whole Office Learning plan (WOLP) and individual learning plans in consultation with the Learning Committee, Senior Management and other teams/unit heads.
• Support to the continuous rollout and implementation of HR People for 2030 strategy at the country level under the guidance of unit Head;
• Disseminates information related to People 2030 initiatives, participates in People 2030 engagement forums, contributes stories and updates to foster knowledge exchange;
• Provides input to and support the development and implementation of CO plans and strategies for talent management in line with organizational goals.

Ensures conduct of UNDP and UN-related surveys:

• Supports the Global Staff Survey (GSS) and acts as focal point as appropriate;
• Facilitates the collection of information for comprehensive and interim local salary and participates in the work of Local Salary Survey Committee(LSSC);
• Collates and disseminates results of GSS and pulse surveys; together with unit head, GSS working group and in consultation with the CO management and Staff Association and provides input to the action plan and ensures its implementation;  

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on HR issues, including induction for newly recruited staff.
• Regular update of the HR section of the CO intranet.
• Synthesis and application of lessons learnt and best practices into CO HR processes.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Conditions

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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