Recruitment Associate

Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and established a Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSC was set up earlier in 2003 in Copenhagen and it provides customized service packages to more than 40,000 UN personnel from agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System. GSSC/HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration center within the United Nations and is recognized as a center of excellence. The Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

In the area of Human Resources, the GSSC supports both staff and management in UNDP offices and units, with the full cycle of HR services ranging from recruitment, talent management, learning and development, HR policy and advisory services, benefits and entitlements management, payroll and banking transactions. 

In six UNDP Regional Bureau Service Centers (RSCs) – Addis Ababa, Amman, Bangkok, Dakar, Istanbul and Panama – the recruitment and administration of local personnel will be proximity-based and managed by outposted GSSC personnel who report directly to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC) in Copenhagen.

The Recruitment Associate in the 6 GSSC RSCs, supports the transparent implementation of the outposted recruitment of personnel for country offices in each Regional Bureau. S/he is accountable for the integrity, transparency and accuracy of recruitment and HR services, assuring full compliance with HR policies and procedures. The Recruitment Associate advises internal and external clients and managers on policies, guidelines and services and promotes a collaborative and client-oriented approach, sharing knowledge and best practice, including conducting training courses and coaching. Clients with whom there is direct contact may include UN Agency staff and other personnel in country offices as well as other units in UNDP. 

The Recruitment Associate is jointly responsible for meeting the agreed GSSC HR work plan deliverables supporting the overall HR Strategy. S/he supports the coordination of the work of the team, in order to meet the work plan deliverables.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities
Administer and implement Recruitment Strategy and Plans in full compliance with Staff Rules & Regulations, UNDP HR Policies and Guidelines, to achieve the following results: Provide support to regular interaction with HR Focal Points in Country Offices on consolidated region-wide operationalization of recruitment strategies and plans.  In collaboration with hiring managers in Country Offices, support the elaboration of recruitment strategies for each recruitment case. Ensure full compliance of HR activities with UN Rules & Regulations, UNDP policies, procedures and guidelines. Promote equity, transparency and consistency in the interpretation, determination, implementation and administration of HR recruitment policies, procedures and guidelines applicable to personnel.  Support delivery of a high quality, timely and accurate recruitment service to enhance client understanding and confidence in GSSC HR as a credible HR service provider. Ensure accurate data management in Quantum.  Contribute to the elaboration and maintenance of SOPs on candidate roster management for local/regional job vacancies and encourage the use of rosters for fast-track recruitments. In close cooperation with country offices, organize periodic calls for rosters for selected levels and typologies of expertise.

Provides Recruitment Services focusing on the achievement of the following results: 

Implementation of recruitment processes including drafting terms of reference, provision of input to the grading/validation of terms of reference, vacancy announcements, screening of applicants, evaluation of candidate applications, gathering of candidate references, support to the organization of interview panels, finalization of candidate selection/approvals, and handover of completed recruitment cases to the GSSC Benefits & Entitlements Team and/or PSA Team for hiring, onboarding and contract management.  Manage communication with candidates as it relates to the outcome of their applications. Input and tracking of all transactions related to recruitment processes. Contribute to the production of insightful recruitment analytics reports with regards to critical vacancies, taking into account UNDP’s corporate priorities of gender parity and workforce diversity. Maintenance and update of recruitment measurements and tracking systems. Maintenance and update of candidate rosters. Provide advice on the reduction of costs of operations and related costs to clients and partners. Assist Country Offices with the validation and timely recovery of charges related to recruitment services provided to projects and/or other UN Agencies. Recommend, support and maintain knowledge management prescriptive content for recruitment, selection, and placement to achieve the following results: HR knowledge management distribution/ system contains accurate and comprehensive coverage of Recruitment, Selection and Placement matters. Identify the need for new and/or modified policies and practices and initiate or propose actions required. Actively liaise with relevant UNDP/UN entities to seek policy clarifications and/or identify agreed solutions. Conduct periodic training courses on local recruitments for Country Offices and the Regional Hub. Enable and empower the team through access to GSSC HR knowledge base and by sharing own knowledge. Regularly analyze the typology of job profiles required for projects at the Country Office level. Continuous learning and development for HR staff by pursuing own development and acquire new knowledge with HR best practices. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: 

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Development / Knowledge Facilitation:

Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management / Communication:

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Business Management / Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.  Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

Business Management / Digital Awareness and Literacy:

Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Business Management / Change Management:

Ability to prepare, support, and help individuals and teams in designing and implementing organizational change.

HR / Recruitment design and management:

Knowledge of, ability to design and manage end to end recruitment processes.

HR / Assessment and Selection:

Knowledge and ability to apply various candidate assessment and selection methodologies, tools and platforms; ability to effectively align them with specific recruitment needs. 
  Required Skills and Experience Education: Secondary education is required.  A university degree in Human Resource, Business Administration, Public Administration, or an equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. Specialized certification in HR is highly desirable. Experience: Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant HR experience, including experience specifically in recruitment, at the national or international level is required. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, and advanced knowledge of cloud-based management systems such as ERP. Experience in other areas of human resources management, such as benefits and entitlements administration, is highly desirable. Familiarity with interpretation and application of UN/UNDP policies, rules and regulations is highly desirable.  Demonstrated knowledge of integrated HR management systems would be an asset. Experience with talent acquisition software and platforms is meritorious. Ability and experience to collaborate with hiring managers to develop recruitment strategies is highly desirable. Track record of producing analytics reports, including proficiency in using data visualization tools and techniques to present complex information in a clear and understandable manner.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Spanish and English (both written and verbal) is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Disclaimer

Important applicant information

Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment. 

This posting is open just for Panamanian citizens or foreign persons with permanent residence and a valid work permit. 

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters. Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Non-discrimination UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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