Human Resources Associate, GS-6, FT # 96135, Copenhagen, Denmark

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, every right

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

Strategic office context:

UNICEF’s supply and logistics headquarters – Supply Division – is located in Copenhagen, which is also home to the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world. About a half of the 1000 colleagues are housed in Supply Division, Copenhagen with areas of expertise including logistics, procurement, warehouse management, product innovation, market insights, finance, pharma, nutrition, vaccines, cold chain and health technologies and engineering. Over 1300 colleagues work in the Supply Function across 97 countries and 173 offices and form the Supply Community.

Engaging a highly dynamic and skilled workforce that is driving some of the most cutting-edge work in the sector, the Supply Division’s People strategy aims to create an enabling environment that nurtures talents, fosters growth and promotes excellence in vision and action to deliver results for Children around the world. The HR Centre at Supply Division is a strong Business Partner in this endeavor and works towards providing a robust HR Framework that aligns with the People Strategy.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job: Under the close supervision and guidance of the Human Resources Manager (PPC), the Human Resources Associate provides administrative, procedural and operational support and assistance to the efficient implementation of a broad range of Human Resources functions for all categories of staff in his/her office, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF HR rules and regulations.  

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Support in organization design and job classification
• Support to business partnering
• Support in recruitment and placement
• Support in Organisation Culture, learning and capacity development

Support in organization design and job classification

• Analyze, research, verify, and compile data which facilitates preparation of workforce planning reports for supervisor to review against benchmarks i.e. Gender and geographical balance and other recruitment related key performance indicators.
• Compiles and analyses information and statistics related to posts and staff for
• reports on staffing trends.
• Participates in the review of GS positions specific JDs, ensuring effective application of ICSC methodology.
• Drafts and edits job descriptions to be submitted for classification for review by supervisor.
• Prepares documents to be submitted for classification to Local HRFP for the Division and NYHQ, ensuring completeness of documentation
• Monitors life-cycle of all job classification requests to facilitate recruitment and organization planning.

Support to business partnering

• Support the HR Manager in providing relevant HR data customized to centres/teams/units and division needs. Maintains and prepares all staff data, ensuring all information on each staff member is up-to-date and accurate.
• Support the management of change processes by advising clientele on changes to HR processes under the guidance of HR Manager
• Support the HR Manager in assisting clientele in using HR Data & Dashboards. Ensure regular maintenance, update and troubleshooting support to clients in using relevant HRIS.
• In consultation with supervisor, analyze, research and verify information for the purpose of responding to staff queries on areas related to benefits and entitlements, HR Policies & Procedures.

Support in Workforce Planning, recruitment and placement

• Supports in maintaining the Workforce Planning and recruitment monitoring matrix.
• Undertakes Recruitment cases as assigned ensuring end- to -end recruitment support including sourcing, outreach, supporting selection process as HR Representative on the panel, ensuring compliance to policies and procedures.
• Supports non-staff personnel management including recruitment, contract administration, & protocol support (UNVs, Interns, Individual Consultants)

Support in Organization Culture, learning & capacity development

• Supports in analysis, monitoring and tracking of Organisation Culture Surveys and related action Plans.
• Develops and processes contracts for institutions providing training and courses, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations. 
• Assists team in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by preparing and organizing distribution of materials for participants, ensuring availability of training venues and required equipment and supplies, while providing logistical and secretarial support at workshops and events as necessary.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

Experience: A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible administrative, Human Resources Operations or clerical work experience required.

For this position, a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A Master’s degree may replace additional two years.

Relevant experience in HR Data Automation, information management is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) and/or local language of the duty station (Danish) is a strong asset.

Eligibility note: UNICEF staff members globally and applicants who are EU nationals or in possession of a valid work permit for Denmark are eligible to apply. General Service (GS) staff are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements and UNICEF will not cover any costs related to relocation.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Other required skills:

Technical

• Extensive knowledge of HR principles, rules, regulations and procedures within the UN
• Computer literacy and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools as well as good knowledge and skill in using HR systems. (including SAP & other HR management tools)
• Ability to extract and format data and to solve operational problems. Ability to use advanced data tools such as PowerBI, advanced Excel
• Ability to organize own work, set priorities and meet deadlines.

Interpersonal and communication

• Takes responsibility to respond to internal and external service needs promptly and proactively; takes initiative to ensure that deadlines, rules and regulations are met. Uses own discretion to address unforeseen situations.
• Demonstrates a high degree of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Demonstrates courtesy, tact, patience and ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.