Human Resources Senior Associate

Peace and Security Cluster

Mali is facing a problem of weapons and explosive hazard contamination because of protracted and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to United Nations and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.

UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats. In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council Resolution 2640 (2022). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS PSC to implement a mine action programme in Mali to:

• Improve the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance;
• Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations;
• Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel.

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the direct supervision of HR Officer and the overall direction of the Head of Support Services, the HR Senior Associate is responsible for administering and implementing services, plans, and processes covering the  array of Human Resources Management service lines for optimal employee and talent management, i.e. recruitment, learning, performance management, transition, organizational development, and contract management, S/he serves as the first contact for internal and external clients in resolving questions on processes and procedures and provision of guidance and information related to HR initiatives and services to a wide range of UNOPS clients.

Functions / Key Results Expected:

1. Support to policy development and implementation
2. Advisory Services
3. Talent Acquisition and Administration
4. Team Management
5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Contribute to HR policy development and corporate HR initiatives by assisting to maintain data on trends, risks and opportunities and sharing local HR best practices.
• Provide substantive HR expertise to assist in projects in support of HR initiatives for attainment of business objectives in line with the corporate HR strategy. 
• Assist to generate strategic and operational workforce data for planning, including related statistical summaries and movements of UNOPS Office/Projects Centre personnel.
• Support the communication on HR policy changes and new HR initiatives to management and personnel, providing guidance as needed.

• Provide guidance on HR related systems and processes including but not limited to Recruitment, Contracts, Position Management, Performance Management, Benefits and Entitlements consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.
• Provide advice and guidance to personnel on administrative procedures, processes and practices.
• Act as liaison between unit and internal and external clients and provide proactive customer service to expedite completion of projects, and provide information
• As the first face of HR, ensure that new hires 'first impressions are positive' and that they have all in-processing information completed.
• Advise hiring management on: recruitment processes, UNOPS performance management cycle, development initiatives, and learning plans.
• Advise hiring management and guide personnel on UNOPS recruitment and performance management processes, and learning and development initiatives, resources, and plans.
• Provide advice to supervisors on good practices, policies and procedures in performance management, including managing of underperformance.
• Support the implementation of institutional gender and diversity initiatives, providing education and advice on issues related to equity, compliance, inclusion, and diversity.

• Completion of Secondary School with 7 years of relevant experience is required, OR;
• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration with 3 years of relevant experience is required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience  in an international and/or national organization in providing HR advisory, recruitment, and/or HR-generalist, support services.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in use of HR information and/or Enterprise systems is desirable

• Fluent in English (read, write and speak) is required
• Fluent in French (read, write and speak) is required

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: Local ICA 7 (ICS 7) 
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

• 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.