Head of Assignments and Talent Mobilization Service, D1, Geneva

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The position is located within the Division of Human Resources (DHR) The Division’s mission statement positions DHR as a strategic, trusted and innovative business partner to operations in enabling UNHCR to protect and respond to persons of concern by attracting, motivating, retaining and developing a talented, diverse and agile workforce, while nurturing a culture of excellence, inclusion, respect and wellbeing for all colleagues.

The Head of Assignments and Talent Mobilization Service (ATMS) plays a key role in ensuring that UNHCR has the right people in the right place at the right time, leading the work on talent acquisition and internal mobility. The role is a partnership function working closely with operations, bureaux and divisions and contributes to the implementation of the evolution of the HR function and the people management transformation towards a more people centric UNHCR.

He/she modernizes UNHCR’s approach to appointments and talent acquisition, seek out and implement efficiencies including through the simplification and streamlining of procedures and processes, leveraging recent changes to policy and the implementation of Workday, whilst managing associated risk. He/she contribute to the implementation of DHR’s strategic agenda ensuring delivery of excellent service to DHR’s clients and a positive experience for candidates, staff or affiliate workforce.

Under the supervision of the Director of the Division of Human Resources, the Head of Assignments and Talent Mobilization Service supervises the Affiliate Partnerships and Recruitment Section (in Budapest), the Assignments Management Section (AMS) (in Geneva) and the Emergency and Temporary Staffing Unit (ETSU) (in Geneva). The incumbent ensures coordination between these two sections and the ETSU and other sections of the Division as well as with other Divisions/Bureaux and entities in UNHCR, enabling fast, fair and efficient deployment of talent.

In recognition of the importance of good people management practices, the incumbent acts as a role model for people centric leadership and proactively fosters an inclusive work environment encouraging creativity, innovation and the application of latest trends and developments in talent acquisition, succession planning and internal mobility. This position has a strong client focus and provides timely and effective service to managers and employees, ensuring consistent application of policies and practices to meet the needs and conditions of the Organization. He/She advises senior managers and staff on succession planning and key appointments, including the effective HR response to emergencies.

Duties

• Oversee the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to recruitment and assignments as well as SIBA management, temporary assignments (internal and external) ensuring fairness, efficiency and client orientation by the Service.
• Oversee reforms in the handling of affiliate workforce by the Organization
• Advise the Director on HR matters directly relating to the work of the sections and unit in the Service.
• Provide advice on and coordinate resolution of individual staff situations.
• Provide support and guidance to staff members ensuring Client Friendly and efficient response to their queries.
• Liaise with the Bureaux, Entities and Divisions on operational matters, especially as concerns emergency response, programme and staffing reviews and assignments with the aim of providing fast, efficient and risk aware solutions to the Organization’s needs
• Serve as the DHR representative on various inter-departmental groups and committees, as well as support for the Joint Advisory Committee.
• Acts as ex Officio of the JRB and secretary to the SAC ensuring high quality advice to the High Commissioner and the Organization on appointments and promotions.
• Lead, coordinate and monitor activities of Affiliate Partnerships and Recruitment and Assignments Management Sections and the Emergency and Temporary Staffing Unit and develop strategies to ensure optimum systems for recruitment and outreach, assignments, temporary assignments and SIBA management developing and enhancing the Organization’s brand.
• Oversee budget development and planning within area of responsibility.
• Lead UNHCR’s work on succession planning in close collaboration with GLDC and HROPS
• Innovate and lead change to simplify, enhance, streamline and modernize performance of the Service and the enhancement of its client-orientation.
• Represent DHR in meetings and fora related to the functions.
• Recommend policy, strategies and methodologies related to recruitment and assignments, TAs, SIBA and individual case management.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For D1 – 17 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 15 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration,

Social Sciences or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Minimum 17 years of previous work experience relevant to the function with minimum 10 years in an international capacity. Significant experience in human resources management and extensive knowledge of UN policies and practices.

Desirable

Not specified.

Functional Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation

Human Resources Policies

Human Resources Management

International Experiences

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Desired Candidate Profile

– Significant team and people management experience in senior leadership roles

– HR leadership experience with strong ability to empower teams and build trust

– Demonstrated experience leading change and transformation in complex organizations

– Demonstrated negotiations skills in sensitive and complex contexts at senior levels

– Demonstrated partnership mindset as well as client orientation and solid planning and organizational skills

– Experience with (or understanding of) design, operationalization, and implementation of policies and best practices in HR

– Ability to interpret and apply policies with attention to detail and compliance implications as well as finding solutions within the policy spirit

– Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to persuade, influence and coordinate multiple stakeholders

– Experience with HR Business partnering highly desirable

– Experience with coaching or advising colleagues on career management and aspirations issues would also be a desirable asset

– The ideal candidate has good judgement, excellent inter-personal skills and excellent analytical skills;

– The ideal candidate is people centric, intellectually curious, constructive, discrete, and emotionally intelligent mindset when dealing with complex and sensitive matters and

– Field experience and understanding of current operational realities, in implementing the refugee coordination model and working in partnership with other UN agencies desirableRequired languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Nature of Position:

The Head of Assignments and Talent Mobilization Service (ATMS) plays a key role in ensuring that UNHCR has the right people in the right place at the right time, leading the work on talent acquisition and internal mobility. The role is a partnership function working closely with operations, bureaux and divisions and contributes to the implementation of the evolution of the HR function and the people management transformation towards a more people centric UNHCR.

He/she modernizes UNHCR’s approach to appointments and talent acquisition, seek out and implement efficiencies including through the simplification and streamlining of procedures and processes, leveraging recent changes to policy and the implementation of Workday, whilst managing associated risk. He/she contribute to the implementation of DHR’s strategic agenda ensuring delivery of excellent service to DHR’s clients and a positive experience for candidates, staff or affiliate workforce.