Assistant Human Resources Officer at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Vacancy Notice No.: IVN/EVN/KEN/NBI/18/009

Category /Grade NOA

Post Number 10014672

Reporting Date Immediately

(Initial contract 1 year)

Operational Context(role of the position within the team, describing its leadership role, it’s external/internal work relationships or contacts, the contextual environment in which it operates and the scope of supervision received, and where applicable, exercise by the incumbent)

The Assistant Human Resources Officer will be part of the HR team at the UNHCR Branch Office in Nairobi and will function under the direct supervision of the Senior Human Resources Officer. The incumbent will handle HR/personnel administration related activities in the Kenya operation. S/he will directly supervise general service staff and will provide coaching and guidance to other locally recruited staff responsible for the personnel administration and other HR related matters. S/he will support and assist the Senior Human Resources Officer in the process of staffing and budget reviews, recruitment and appointment of staff, performance management and staff welfare issues. The incumbent will act as the Secretary to the Regional Assignments Committee (RAC) and will be the back-up Learning Coordinator. S/he will coordinate HR and personnel related matters within the Branch Office as well as with the Sub-Office in Kakuma and Dadaab, including the Field Office Alinjugur. The incumbent will have frequent contacts with colleagues in the Personnel Administration & Payroll Section (PAPS), Assignments & Promotion Section (APS), Performance Management Unit (PMU), Career Management Section (CMS), Staff Health & Welfare Service (SHWS) and Global Learning Centre (GLC). He/she will also maintain contact and close cooperation with other UN agencies in the country.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• UNHCR recruits, contracts and deploys staff in Kenya operation to meet its current and future operational needs, adhering to the principles of the UNHCR People Strategy.
• The workforce in Kenya is well-informed of and understands the organisation’s human resources policies and practices.
• UNHCR provides a healthy, safe and respectful working environment for its workforce in the country.
• Responsibility (processes and functions undertaken to achieve results)
• Provide input in the preparation of the annual operations programme review submissions, and in the review of the training needs of the staff, making appropriate proposals to meet identified needs.
• Advise and counsel staff members on their rights, obligations, benefits and entitlements in line with UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations.
• Ensure timely advertising and filling of General Service and National Officer vacancies. Prepare submission of cases for the review by the Regional Assignments Committee (RAC). Process recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
• Conduct regular audit and verification of personnel records in the office, including audit of MSRP entries into HR module, as well as auditing of the attendance, overtime and leave records. Monitor maintenance of the daily tracking system to ensure accurate information is provided on staff and families in case of emergency. Provide support, guidance and training to staff performing personnel administration and other HR related functions.
• Brief newly-arrived international staff on related administrative formalities; process and follow up on their accreditations and other related documents, and arrange for their onward travel to the field office, if applicable.
• Supervise administration of UNHCR medical insurance plan for locally recruited staff. Assist staff and dependants in case of medical evacuation.
• Assist in HR related activities of the security evacuation plan, ensuring relocations/evacuations are managed and administered in line with the provisions of the UN Security Management System Policy.
• Maintain liaison with the support sections and divisions at headquarters, specifically with DHRM, on matters related to the recruitment and personnel administration support, medical and other issues of staff welfare and safety.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)
• Enforce local compliance with the UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations, as well as with the performance management system.
• Clear issuance and extension of contracts for locally recruited staff.
• Clear payments related to personnel issues such as settlement of travel claims, overtime claims, hazard pay, MIP reimbursements, medical and security evacuations, shipment costs.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Human Resources Management/Administration, Law or similar disciplines plus minimum 1 year of previous relevant professional experience. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) may also be accepted.
• Good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes and exposure to provision of support services in an international organization.
• Excellent knowledge of English; working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies

• Knowledge of UN/UNHCR field operational realities, especially in hardship duty stations.
• Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations is an asset.
• High IT affinity and working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP HR module, as well as with MSRP Financial and travel modules; familiarity with Focus.

Competencies:-

• Values
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity Core Competencies

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Team Work & Collaboration
• Communication
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Results Orientation
• Organizational Awareness

Candidates may also be tested on relevant managerial and cross function competencies. Examples are listed below:-

Managerial Competencies

• Empowering & Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement & Decision Making
• Strategic Planning & Vision
• Leadership
• Managing Resources

Cross – Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Innovation & Creativity
• Technological Awareness
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Planning & Organizing
• Policy Research & Development
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management
• Change Capability & Adaptability

Submission of Applications

This vacancy is open for qualified Kenyans only. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.