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 inspiring stories.
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.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization with more than 20,000 personnel working in approximately 170 offices globally. UNDP works in development and crisis settings with the aim to achieve the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and exclusion, and sustained development results.
Digital technology is one of the most fundamental drivers of change this century. Digital not only provides new opportunities and challenges for development, but it is also fundamentally changing the context in which development is taking place. Since the launch of its first Digital Strategy in 2019, UNDP has been on an ambitious transformation journey to harness the potential of digital technology for development. We are now in the next phase of our digital transformation, implementing the Digital Strategy 2022-2025, which puts forth a vision to create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet.
The Chief Digital Office at UNDP is leading this effort with the goal of embedding digital technology in the development projects that we implement, supporting government partners to build inclusive digital eco-systems, and transforming the organization internally to enable these changes.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Chief Digital Office (CDO) is looking for a People Operations Specialist to ensure the smooth functioning of business operations within the team, providing strategic guidance and implementing innovative solutions to enhance operations’ effectiveness.
This will include:
Coordinated the recruitment for the team. This will include liaising with project teams and advising on the creation of job-related TORs. The incumbent will drive the entire recruitment process, where applicable, with the goal of attracting the right talent for CDO.
Conduct comprehensive onboarding sessions for new hires to foster a positive introduction to the organization, including orientation around UNDP’s mission, values, culture, and essential procedures. Ensure that new employees are well-informed about HR policies, benefits, and their roles and responsibilities.
Develop and maintain a structured offboarding process for employees exiting the organization, which includes exit interviews, revocation of access to UNDP resources, and ensuring a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Identify and utilize various recruitment channels to attract digital talent and provide tailored recommendations to project teams on digital profiles according to project needs.
Create Business Intelligence reports related to business operations, including conducting analysis on gaps and present recommendations to CDO management.
Contribute to the strategic direction of business operations within CDO, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing best practices to optimize performance.
Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) specific to business operations within CDO. Design and conduct learning sessions for team members on engaging with HR, procurement and finance processes.
Collaborate with project team members on annual and quarterly planning needs within recruitment and other operational needs, ensuring continuous alignment throughout the year.
Synthesize lessons learned from ongoing business operations processes, including providing feedback mechanisms, and iterating where necessary, to provide improvements.
Coordinate training and development programs to enhance employee skills and support career progression.
Ensure full compliance of procurement, HR and financial activities within UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies, implementing effective internal control.
Perform other related duties as requested by the supervisor, ensuring flexibility and readiness to contribute to various projects and tasks in the Business operations team.
Institutional Arrangement
The People Operations Specialist will report to the Business Operations Lead in the Chief Digital Office (Executive Office).
Competencies
Core Competencies
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Competencies
- Business Management - Operations management:
- Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
- Digital & Innovation - Agile’ methodologies and practices:
- Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement.
- Ability to manage a self-organising cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.
- Business Direction & Strategy - Business Acumen:
- Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgements and quick decisions within such frameworks.
- Business Development - Human-centered Design:
- Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process.
- HR - Recruitment - Recruitment design and management:
- Knowledge of, ability to design and manage end to end recruitment processes.
- Procurement - Procurement Management:
- The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
- Business Direction and Strategy - System Thinking:
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- At least two years of UN experience.
- Previous experience working within digital & innovation teams.
- Experience working in a multicultural environment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field is required. Or
- A first-level university degree in the areas mentioned above, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience, including HR/people operations, recruitment and business operations at the international level.
- Experience in managing projects and proven track record of delivering tasks on-time.
- Experience in contributing to the development of standards and/or policies with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Proficiency in computer and office software packages, including experience with ERP systems and web-based management systems.
- Experience working within public sector digital/innovation teams is required.
Required Skills:
- Strong demonstrated understanding and implementation of business operations within an international organization.
- Experience in developing mechanisms for individual and team learning and knowledge sharing to promote continuous improvement.
Language:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language is advantageous
The following documents shall be required from the applicants:
- Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
- A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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
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This position is no longer open.
