Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the six practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles:
Support to operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding of solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas.
Business efficiency: IPAS recommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.
Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.
Background Information - Job-specific
The IPAS HR Specialist reports to the IPAS HR Team Lead and is responsible for delivering on the three areas of supporting operations, business efficiency and knowledge management. For IPAS HR this translates into daily interactions with country offices and regional offices to provide sound and accurate advice and support on HR matters.
Solution orientation and client focus is key in the interaction with our field offices. This requires establishing trusted relationships with the colleagues in the field, as well as good coordination and collaboration with other IPAS teams, partnering with policy groups in HQ and developing a good understanding of the UNOPS business model.
The incumbent will be expected to travel from time to time.
Functional Responsibilities
Advisory Support on HR policies and Processes
Business advisory - Engagement reviews
Support to policy development and implementation
Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing
Advisory support on HR policies and processes
Provide guidance on HR related policies, processes and systems to ensure consistency with UNOPS rules and procedures.
Provide advice and support on various HR matters to HQ and field offices
Review requests for exceptions from policy, provide sound recommendations to policy owners, and convey constructive feedback to field offices to ensure capacity development
Develop a business partnering approach to ensure the highest possible level of service and client satisfaction
Support institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.
Business advisory - Engagement reviews
UNOPS considers new projects as “engagements”. Any new engagement requires a review conducted by IPAS, on financial, legal and project management aspects. If there are critical HR components in the new project, a HR engagement review is also required. The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
Review HR aspects of project agreements, with a focus on identifying HR risks and opportunities in close collaboration with other IPAS reviewers and the IPAS HR Team Lead
Escalate relevant matters to the policy unit, and ensure that the policy unit is aware about high risk engagements.
Provide quality inputs on HR aspects in project proposals and holistic HR advice in coordination with the IPAS HR Team Lead and other IPAS HR colleagues and assist with the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices to the field offices;
Collect feedback on challenges, gaps and possible areas of improvement for HR components in project engagements, escalate issues and provide recommendations
Support to Policy development and implementation
Actively contribute with practical knowledge and innovative suggestions to HR policy enhancements and development, corporate HR initiatives, product designs and implementation. Maintain client feedback/suggestions, as well as a log on recurrent challenges and make suggestions for long-term solutions through policy/process change
Recommend solutions and process efficiency initiatives
Manage projects with a focus on business process improvements
Contribute to the development and maintenance of corporate systems and tools
Maintain client feedback/suggestions, as well as a log on recurrent challenges and make suggestions for long-term solutions through policy/process change
Contribute to the cross-functional initiatives and projects within IPAS and at corporate level towards more coherent and efficient policies, processes and systems
Communicate HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to clients, providing guidance as needed.
Knowledge building and knowledge sharing
Contribute to knowledge and information management within the team and across the organisation on HR related matters;
Provide feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
Guide the development and maintenance of HR analytic parameters, trends and data.
Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on HR-related topics.
Keep abreast of external HR developments and best practices
Education
Advanced University degree preferably in Human Resources management, Business Administration, Communication, Social or Behavioral sciences.
A First University degree in related fields with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Experience
A minimum of 5 years of professional-level human resources experience, including HR advisory services, in a major area of human resources management in an international, public or corporate organization.
Within these 5 years, a minimum of two years of experience providing advice on HR policies is required.
Field experience will be a strong asset.
UN or NGO experience will be an asset.
International exposure is required.
Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages as well as web-based management systems is required.
Languages
Fluency in English is required, as well as fluency in either French or Spanish.
