Human Resources Officer

Peace and Security Cluster

The United Nations Mine Action Service programme in Afghanistan (UNMAS Afghanistan) supports the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA) the United Nations Emergency Mine Action Coordination Center for Afghanistan (UN-EMACC) /the Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC)  to protect the civilian population from the threat of explosive ordnance and contributes to peacemaking and the protection of civilians in hard-to-reach areas through political and humanitarian dialogue, and to coordinate the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA). UNMAS Afghanistan is a programme under the overall direction and oversight of UNMAS New York and implemented by UNOPS under the Financial Regulations and Rules of UNOPS.

The DMAC has assumed coordination responsibility for the mine action sector since June 2018, when the ownership for mine action completed its transition from UNMAS to Afghanistan’s national mine action authority.  In the event that the DMAC will not be able to continue carrying out its functions in light of the recent governmental changes in September 2021, UNMAS will coordinate to establish a UN-EMACCA — an emergency stand-in for the DMAC during the months of transition while the international community observes how the new Government will be structured and managed, and gives approval to continue the financial support to a mine action coordination mechanism under the management of the new Government. 

As of July 2021, there are 1,528 communities located in 263 districts that are affected by the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). The ongoing conflict further contaminates communities in Afghanistan with ERW and anti-personnel mines of an improvised nature (APM/IN). Currently, the civilian casualty rate from mines, ERW and especially APM/IN (also referred as victim-operated improvised explosive devices) is critically high. The recent political and security situation has opened up access to areas which are contaminated and urgently require release so that humanitarian actors, local communities and IDPs can move safely. UNMAS Afghanistan supports the efforts of the UN-EMACCA/DMAC to mitigate the threat that these devices pose to the lives and livelihoods of Afghan civilians. UNMAS seeks to bring civilians together across political and conflict ideologies to make progress on humanitarian and positive communal pursuits, the potential for peace and other collaborative measures is realized.

Qualified female candidates without UN experience are encouraged to apply!!

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Support Service Specialist, the Human Resources (HR) Officer will support the effective and efficient operation of the UNMAS project office in terms of recruitment and personnel requirements. 

Specific responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to:

HR Administration:

• Provide technical or administrative services in support of HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy 

• Actively participate in the development and drafting of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Provide a wide-range of HR services related to recruitment, leave and absence monitoring, performance management, tracking systems, reporting, payroll, administration, learning initiatives and separations, among others

• Receive recruitment requests and conduct a preliminary review of Terms of References (TORs) and Vacancy Announcements (VAs) for job posting through the Global Personnel Recruitment System (GPRS) or other sources

• Prepare matrices, review long-lists, coordinate and arrange logistical procedures for written tests and/or interviews and prepare minutes

• Conduct wide-ranging outreach activities within Afghanistan, particularly to women’s networks, with the aim to identify the best available talent for each vacancy 

• Facilitate all recruitment-related documentation for proper contract management including mandatory certificates, medical and reference checks and other types of documents in compliance with audit requirements

• Prepare and submit requests for awards and note to file extensions as part of the contract administration process and issue contracts and/or amendments as applicable

• Register details as appropriate in the oneUNOPS, the HR funding tracker and/or in the Staffing Table

• Compile data for reports related to performance evaluations, staffing tables and others, as required

• Provide oral and written response to staff inquiries regarding their conditions of service; drafting of correspondence in relation to the inquiries for signature by designated Officer

• Management/update of the staffing tables and provision of statistical summaries related to them, including arranging and keeping track of movements of UNOPS Regional Office/Projects Centre personnel

• Prepare and submit on a regular basis monthly batch payroll for international and national staff members and personnel, as applicable, and process related entitlements such as Certification of Payment (CoP)

• Establish and implement a system for monitoring and tracking transactions to ensure timely, consistent and equitable provision of services with a client focus

• Briefing and guidance to clients and partners on the application, interpretation and applicability of the UN rules and UNOPS policies and procedures

• Review of Requests for Personnel Action (RPA) forms to ensure correct budget allocation, and for separating staff, verification that no financial obligations are due to UNOPS. 

• Review of consultants’ qualifications and experience and drafting of Terms of Reference (ToR) determination of daily remuneration to be paid in accordance with the established fee schedule

• Ensure a properly working filing system of local and international personnel with respect to relevant documents, contracts, and payment files, and ensure the correct archiving of files when required

• Ensure audit compliance documentation and supporting files, and prepare audit reports as and when required

• Perform other duties as may be assigned

Travel Management:

• Provide administrative support on travel arrangements, security clearance, and visas 

• Coordinate and manage Afghanistan visa on arrivals, reference numbers, visa extensions and passport collection/deliver in cooperation with UN AFG protocol unit

• Verify daily substenance allowance (DSA) payments, liaise with travel agencies for bookings, and other provide administrative services when it comes to travel management

• Gather and compile information on quarterly travel plans

• Develop and maintain good relationship with other UN agencies in Afghanistan in regard to accommodation for UNMAS AFG international personnel

• Provide regularly travel updates and travel reports to management

• Manage and coordinate travel related movements such as pick and drop from/to airport 

• Prepare and process travel authorizations (TA), online UNHAS booking, MoPs, and MRF for official travels

• Manage and monitor hardship leave and R&R travels 

• Raise and create travel related purchase orders (POs) and process payments

Knowledge sharing and capacity building:

• Assist with planning and delivery of appropriate training to UNMAS personnel in order to build capacity and transfer knowledge in HR and Travel related topics

• Contribute to the improvement of existing workflows, and assist with knowledge-sharing and capacity building initiatives including timely dissemination of HR-related communications and instructions

• Attend UN Afghanistan-wide HR practice meetings to build networks for recruitment, share knowledge and discuss common issues

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Record and update functions and activities in applicable tracking sheets for recruitment, staffing tables, learning initiatives, and others

• Ensure compliance with applicable UNOPS rule and regulation for the Individual Contractor Agreement and Staff Rules and Regulations for staff members

• Regularly check revisions, changes, and other relevant information in the HR Knowledge System in the UNOPS Intranet, and communicate relevant changes to the supervisor and the team

• Ensure that documents and supporting files are accurate, complete and properly filed for audit purposes

• Complete end-to-end recruitment activities, limiting procedural turn-around times as per established benchmarks

• Make quality submissions to internal oversight bodies (e.g. LCPC/HQCPC) as may be applicable

• Complete personnel filing and archive system accurately

Final Product

• Complete recruitment tracks and closures as per time frame provided

• Perform satisfactory audit-passable documentation

• Produce accurate reports and data on staffing, leave/absence, and payroll, among others

• Ensure timely submission of contract preparations, amendments and separation

• Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) is required; OR

• First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with 2 years of relevant experience is required; OR

• High School or Secondary School Diploma with 6 years of relevant experience is required 

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in human resources, business administration or relevant fields

• Intermediate in English (read, write, speak) is required
• Fluency in Dari and or Pashtu is required.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks

Benefits and Entitlements

All ICA personnel benefit from UNOPS learning opportunities as well as a variety of family-friendly, work-life and well-being provisions at the workplace. Hardship leave is provided according to duty station classification.

Other benefits and entitlements are available for contracts with a minimum duration of 3 months. These include:

Leave
Annual leave: 10 official UN holidays per year plus 2.5 additional days of accrued leave per month.

Paid sick leave: 2 days of certified sick leave per month up to a maximum balance of 24 days, plus 6 uncertified sick days per year; depending on tenure, fee protection for longer periods of certified sick leave.

Paid parental leave: Up to 26 weeks for eligible parents who give birth and 16 weeks for other eligible parents.

Medical coverage
For LICA: applicable according to UNOPS Medical Corporate Plan, including medical and dental insurance.

For IICA: IICA holders must pay for their own schemes, the cost for which is accounted for in their fee.

Pension scheme
For LICA: LICA holders on contracts of at least 3 months will join the UNOPS provident fund by contributing through deduction of their monthly fee.

For IICA: Optional contribution to a pension scheme (provident fund).

Relocation support
Financial Mobility Support is offered to international ICA holders and their dependents when relocating to a new duty station as per eligibility.

Security
All personnel regardless of contract modality are enrolled in the United Nations Security Management System for emergency relocation/evacuation.

• Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 
• Contract level: ICS-8 (LICA-8)
• Contract duration: Ongoing, subject to organizational requirements and funds availability