Special NoticeAppointment against this post is on a local basis; candidates shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the ESCAP office, irrespective of nationality and length of time the candidate may have been in the country. If no suitable local candidate is identified, candidates located elsewhere may be considered. The candidate is responsible for any expenses incurred in taking the relevant examinations at the duty station, and of any costs related to traveling and relocating to the duty station in the event of an employment offer.

Org. Setting and ReportingThe mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic, social and environmental development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Staff Administration Unit, Human Resources Management Section, in the Division of Administration. The Senior Human Resources Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Unit.

ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Human Resources Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Coordinates and reviews the on-boarding process, including pre-recruitment formalities and administrative actions.

• Reviews and processes personnel actions through Umoja.

• Ensures compliance with UN Staff Regulations and Rules and conducts research on precedents, policy rulings, and procedures on the full range of allowances and benefits related issues, including complex and unusual cases.

• Advises managers and staff on the interpretation and application of human resources policies.

• Reviews and processes requests and payments pertaining to conditions of service.

• Reviews and processes requests for exceptions to the Staff Regulations and Rules and concerning all entitlements, benefits and currency of payment of emoluments.

• Monitors issues on conditions of service of staff and advises the supervisor of any developments.

• Assists in the monitoring function of compliance with statutory requirements by clients/staff members in connection with self certification of entitlements, and in follow-up and reporting activities on the compliance.

• Assists in the design and delivery of briefing sessions on allowances and benefits, including the pre-retirement seminar.

• Participates in the orientation programme for newly-recruited or reassigned staff.

• Participates in the testing and configuration of various HR modules in Umoja ERP Solution.

• Coordinates and supervises the unit’s processes, drafts, and finalizes a variety of correspondence and other communication.

• Supervises a team of junior colleagues, providing on-the-job training, guidance and advice in all areas of work within the Staff Administration Unit.

• Manages the team’s performance and provides any necessary support in a timely manner.

• Conducts the compilation and preparation of statistical reports on HR related issues.

• Provides input on HR policy and procedure development.

• Undertakes research on a range of HR related issues and assists in the preparation of documents and reports, including submissions to Headquarters.

• Performs other duties, as required.

Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of human resources policies, procedures and practices and ability to interpret and apply them in an organizational setting. Demonstrates use of initiative and makes appropriate linkages in work requirements and anticipates next steps. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Managing Performance: Oversees the work of junior colleagues, as assigned. Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work ExperienceAt least ten years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administrative services or related area. Experience in application of Staff Rules and Regulations within the UN or a similar public service organization in an operational environment is desirable. Administration of a broad range of entitlements and benefits using ERP systems such as Umoja (SAP) is highly desirable. Experience in the development of standard operation procedures and guidelines related to HR policies or HR information technology tools is highly desirable. Experience as Local Process Expert on ERP issues related to HR is highly desirable. Experience with Business Intelligence reporting is highly desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

AssessmentQualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.