Human Resources Manager, P-4, Fixed Term, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya #105664

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, commitment.

For more information about our programme, please visit our website:www.unicef.org/esaro/

How can you make a difference?

The Human Resource Manager, under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Human resource, the Human Resource Manager will manage People Management activities in accordance with the HR strategy and work plan, aligned with the Regional Management Plan, as well as the goals and strategic needs of the organization. The incumbent will provide expert HR leadership and guidance that promotes a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Management of the Unit

• Support the Regional Chief of Human Resources in establishing the annual work plan, setting priorities/targets and performance measurements.
• In collaboration with the Regional Chief of Human Resources, monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently.

Technical HR Leadership

• Develop, implement and monitor the interpretation and application of new human resources policies, practices and procedures to meet the evolving needs of the region, including formulating the position of the organization on policies and determining the appropriate application of rules and regulations to highly sensitive or contentious individual cases having implications for other HR systems and UNICEF as a whole.  

Business Partnering

• Serve as the single point of contact for his/her client portfolio on advice pertaining to all aspects of the employment life cycle for selected Regional Office sections.
• Act as a regional focal point for HR professionals in Country Offices.
• Work with clients to help fulfill their goals through advising on how to attract, retain and motivate staff of the highest caliber.
• Provide accurate and timely advice to clients on HR processes and policies, ensuring the highest level of client-orientation.
• Proactively advise clients on the resolution of human resources issues ensuring equitable and transparent solutions that protects both the staff and organizations interests in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures.
• Promote the organizational goals and targets for gender equity and cultural diversity.

Strategic Human Resources

• Liaise with the HQ Divisions, regional and country offices to support and contribute to corporate HR strategy formulation and global implementation. Provide feedback and make recommendations on the establishment and improvement of HR systems, policies and processes.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in HR management and contribute to the development of global policies, procedures and introduce innovation through sharing of best practices and knowledge learned.
• Responsible for strategic human resources forecasting for his/her clients including identifying future human resource requirements in terms of numbers, types and levels of staff, and identifying emerging trends in profile requirements.
• Helps design optimal organizational, staffing structures and levels, and, in consultation with senior management develops standards and benchmarks staffing norms.

Implementation of assigned Human Resources Services

• Provide support and quality assurance to recruitment, job classification, career development, performance management, data analytics and learning & development to help country offices and manager in implementing efficient client services that help either attract, retain and/or motivate staff of the highest caliber.
• When assigned casework in the relevant area on either a routine or non-routine basis, analyze and synthesize issues and problems, and interpret established, formal guidelines to address and recommend solutions or further actions required.

Learning and Capacity Development

• In collaboration with business owners, design and deliver learning plans for staff to enhance their knowledge and build skills in new areas.
• Contributes to the mapping of competencies for all staff in assigned client portfolio, assisting in the development of a comprehensive framework in support of the development of the talent pipeline.
• Recommend efficient and cost-effective learning products which strengthen staff capacity to contribute effectively to business goals.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.
• Provide orientation briefings to new staff.
• Provide day-to-day performance and talent management guidance to line management (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, career conversations, and disciplinary actions)

HR Data Analytics

• Interpret and analyze HR data to help inform strategic decision making on HR processes and strategies.
• Develop data collection systems to optimize data quality.
• Coordinate with country offices and partners to provide assistance in their HR information management.

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

Education: An Advanced University Degree in human resource management, business management, international relations, psychology or another related field is required.

Experience:

• Eight years of professional experience in human resource management in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.
• Experience in managing Learning and Development portfolios required.
• Country Office experience is highly desired.
• Emergency Country experience is desired.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Intermediate knowledge of French or Spanish or Portuguese is highly desired.

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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

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.

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