Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development.

Summary

This position is in the Talent Management Unit (TMU), Human Resources Management Section (HRMS), Division of Administration (DoA), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The Senior Human Resources Assistant works under the direct supervision of an HRO (Team Leader) and under the overall guidance of the Chief, Talent Management Unit.

Responsibilities

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

Recruitment and placement

• Participates in the selection of candidates for administrative support positions in the General Service and related categories, including evaluating and screening applications of such candidates, preparing profiles of candidates, conducting preliminary interviews, conducting roster searches for vacancies, and identifying short-list of candidates;
• Assists in the filling of posts, including initiating and following-up on reference checks and academic verifications, ensuring the completion of pre-recruitment formalities, calculating salaries and related benefits, and preparing and dispatching offers of appointment with applicable conditions of service, including statement of emoluments;
• Schedules and coordinates entry tests for administrative support positions;
• Assists in organizing and coordinating competitive recruitment examinations;
• Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and tracks the status of job openings;

Administration of Staff Benefits and Entitlements

• Undertakes on-boarding of national and international staff members as soon as reference checks and medical clearance are completed; advises staff on visa matters and on on-boarding coordinates with relevant parties and selected candidates on visa matters, travel and shipment arrangements;
• Arranges inductions for newly recruited staff in client divisions on service-related entitlements, benefits, allowances; and on living conditions in the duty station;
• Undertakes the administration of staff benefits and entitlements from the entry-on-duty or engagement up to the time of separation / retirement, including initial appointments, extension of appointments, transfers, secondments, separations, retirements, resignations, terminations etc.;
• Advise staff members regarding eligibility, applicability and administration of staff benefits and entitlements;
• Supports the team leader in the coordination and implementation of special projects;
• Prepares and reviews correspondences concerning appointments, promotions, reassignments, transfers and separations;
• Coach and develop newly recruited HR staff in the respective team;

Staff development and career support training

• Assists in the organization and conduct of training courses and workshops;
• Provide expertise for working group assignments and change management initiatives;
• Generates monitoring reports from Umoja and coordinates required data updates with individual HR Partners;

General

• Assists in development of SOPs, guidelines and manuals in respective areas of work;
• Supervises the maintenance of automated databases and the centralized reference and filing systems;
• Undertakes research on a range of HR related issues and prepares notes/reports;
• Conducts research on precedents, policy rulings and procedures;
• Supervises compilation and preparation of statistical reports on HR related issues;
• Prepares written response to queries concerning HR related matters;
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the human resources policies, procedures and practices applicable to the administration of benefits, entitlements and contracts and ability to 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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.

Education : High school diploma or equivalent is required. Additional education in business administration, human resources management or related field is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification: Passing the Global General Services Test (GGST) is a requirement for recruitment to GS positions. See Special Notice Section for more information.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administrative services or related area is required.
• Experience working in recruitment at a large, international organization is desirable.
• Experience in the use of a talent management system such as Inspira is desirable.
• Experience in the implementation of the United Nations common system, or other similar
• international organization’s human resources policies, procedures and practices is desirable.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment: Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for a period of 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary job opening may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.