Job: HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST

Location : Bangkok, THAILAND

Application Deadline : 30-Nov-13

Type of Contract : FTA Local

Post Level : NO-C

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 02-Jan-2014

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 year extendable based on performance and budget availability

Background

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Chief of Operations, the HR Specialist is responsible for advice to the senior management on the transparent implementation of HR strategies in Asia-Pacific Regional Centre and UNDP Thailand, effective delivery of HR services and management of the APRC HR Unit. He/she assesses client needs, interprets and applies HR strategy and policies, rules and regulations, establishes internal procedures and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR issues. The HR Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and contributes to the maintenance of high staff morale. The APRC has been designated as the Regional Shared Service Centre (RSSC) for HR and Procurement Services of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. In this context the HR specialist is expected to provide professional HR advice and undertake all HR business processes which includes but not limited to recruitment, global payroll and pertinent HR requests, to those COs who have offshored their HR services to APRC, on a cost recovery basis. The HR Specialist supervises and leads the professional and support staff of the HR unit. The HR Specialist works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, , and project teams in APRC and CO Thailand, other COs (insourced HR services) and UNDP HQ staff ensuring successful performance in HR management in an efficient and effective manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Ensures implementation of HR strategies and policies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implementation of HR strategy in the APRC and UNDP Thailand; effective implementation of the internal control; proper design and functioning of the HR management system.
• Ensures full compliance of HR activities with UN rules and regulations, UNDP policies, procedures and strategies. Interpretation of HR policies and regulations and advice to senior managers on their applications, taking into account their particular needs.
• Spearheads continuous analysis of corporate HR strategy and policies, assessing the impact of changes and making recommendations on their implementation in the APRC and COs. Undertakes continuous research of the matters related to conditions of service, salaries, allowances and other HR policy matters. Elaboration and introduction of measurement indicators, monitoring and reporting on achievement of results.
• Advices to Senior Management of APRC and Thailand CO on HR new practices and their implementation (succession planning, career development and transition), strategic recruitment, advice on contract modalities, learning plan and performance evaluation).
• APRC HR business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in HR management, control of the workflows in the HR Unit.
• Undertakes business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of Standard Operating Procedures in HR management, and the control of workflows in the HR unit.
• Establishes Service Level Agreements for delivery of HR services to clients in line with agreed indicators and time lines.
• Leads the advocacy for the implementation, monitoring and compliance of the HR policies including gender and harassment, career development and knowledge management. Full compliance and completion by APRC and CO s/m of the Harassment course.
• Development of procedures and practices that contribute to enhanced and improved HR management.
• Fosters an environment that supports UNDP culture and practices through consistent and transparent application of policies and ensures mutual respect to cultivate workforce commitment, enabling staff to meet business needs.
• Proactively role models and advocates work/life balance policies.
• Ensures implementation of staff well-being initiatives such as flexi hours, award recognition etc.
• Monitors and advises on disciplinary matters in accordance with established rules and procedures.
• Substantively participates in inter agency working group on HR to harmonize HR practices across UN in Thailand.

2. Ensures strategic and effective human resources management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensures compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.
• Ensures management of transparent and competitive recruitment and selection processes including updated job descriptions, proper job classification, vacancy announcement, screening of candidates, organization and chairing of interview panels, making recommendations on recruitment. Development and maintenance of data base of job applications.
• Advice to APRC and Thailand CO management on s/m competencies. Advice on s/m career development and training needs through the RCA.
• Advice to project managers of APRC and COs on transparent and competitive process for project recruitment, adequate TOR describing terms of payment based on results, standard matrix of recruitment processes and request for contracts. Continuous monitoring of the entire UNDP project recruitment process.
• Full compliance of the guidelines of the Compliance Review Panel.
• Advice to the APRC and COs management in contracts guidelines pertaining to staffing compliance. Monitoring and tracking of all transactions related to positions, recruitment, HR data, benefits, earnings/deductions, retroactivity, recoveries, adjustments and separations through Atlas.
• Performs HR Manager Functions in Atlas.
• Leads corporate surveys as the Salary Survey, Global Staff Survey and other request from HQ´s and the APRC Management. . Ensure that all staff fully understands the questions of the GSS. Analyze the survey results and present to all staff.
• Management of the International staff entitlements and position funding delegated to the HR Unit.
• Close communication with local Government institutions to solve international staff-related issues.
• Close communication with HQ´s focal points pertaining to the correct administration of s/m entitlements and benefits.
• Validation of cost-recovery charges in Atlas for HR services provided by APRC to other Agencies.
• HR focal point of UNDP APRC and CO within the UN Agencies in Thailand. Liaise with the Operations Management Team (OMT)'s HR working group on HR issues and HR related surveys.

3. Ensures proper staff performance management and career development focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Elaboration and implementation of the protocol for performance appraisal process, facilitation of the process, elaboration of performance evaluation indicators in consultation with the Senior Management.
• Implementation of effective systems for the performance evaluation, including training to supervisor for an effective use of the tool leading to career development. Advice on work plan, monitoring and performance team evaluation.
• Effective learning management including establishment of the Whole Office Learning plan and individual learning plans in collaboration with the Senior Management
• Provision of effective counseling to staff on career advancement, development needs, learning possibilities.
• Learning focal point of APRC within the UN Agencies in Thailand. Liaise with the Operations Management Team (OMT)'s Learning Manager working group on learning issues.

4. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in APRC and COs focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Design and implementation of training for operations/ programme staff on HR issues.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in HR.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Capacity development of new HR practitioners in the AP region as per demand from COs.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Building support and political acumen
• Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
• Building and promoting effective teams
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards

Functional Competencies: Management and leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for clients
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external stakeholders
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments
• Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved
• Promotes UNDP's agenda in inter-agency meetings

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice areas
• Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice areas
• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms
• Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plans and applies newly acquired skills

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff
• Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

• Provides counseling and coaching to colleagues who are dealing with change Assists in the development of policies, communications, and change strategies
• Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

• Makes recommendations regarding design or operation of systems or programmes within organizational units
• Identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation

Client Orientation

• Anticipates client needs
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider.
• Demonstrates understanding of client's perspective
• Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services
• Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

• Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management
• Develops and applies tools and techniques in assessing the application of programme and/or administer the policies and procedures

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's Degree or equivalent in HR, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing HR advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and experience in handling of web based management systems.
• Experienced in providing HR services remotely to clients (insourcing of HR services) would be an added advantage

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in Englis and Thail

REMARK: This position is open to Thai national only.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

More Info and Application