HR Specialist, Personnel Relations

People and Culture Group

The People and Culture Group (PCG) drives the right culture and working environment in UNOPS by enabling UNOPS to deliver on its strategic intention through:

• embedding of UN core values and standards;

• developing fit-for-purpose People & Culture standards, policies, systems and platforms; and,

• creating an optimal working environment in which personnel are able to flourish and perform at the highest level to achieve UNOPS’ mission.

The Role

The HR Specialist, Personnel Relations reports to the Deputy Director, People and Culture, and is the focal point in PCG on all personnel relations and representation matters. 

S/he is responsible for advising internal stakeholders - including personnel (staff and individual contractors), staff and personnel associations, and management - on the interpretation and application of UNOPS’s HR/people policies.

The HR Specialist assists the Deputy Director in developing and implementing systems, policies and procedures to foster and mature UNOPS’s personnel relations architecture while providing relevant training and support to personnel, staff and personnel associations, and management on these systems, policies and procedures.

S/he ensures that personnel relations practices are well embedded across UNOPS and reinforce the organization’s culture - aligned to UN core values, enhancing accountability, and promoting transparency and communication.

In performing their role, the HR Specialist, Personnel Relations applies strategic thinking, demonstrates high levels of discretion in handling sensitive topics,  and manages communications with stakeholders effectively.

1. Personnel Relations Advisory

2. Policy Development and Implementation

3. Training and Support

4. Relationship Building

5. Trend Monitoring and Analysis

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business administration, law, or related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree and two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, employee relations, or related areas.

• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures related to staff/personnel relations.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English. 

• Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.

• 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 

• 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.