Head People Policy

Summary of functions:

1. Strategic HR Policy Development and Implementation

2. Strategic Advisory and Partnering

3. Representational and Management Support

4. People leadership

• Under the guidance and in consultation with the People and Culture management team, draft and formulate HR policy content primarily focusing on selection processes, management of benefits and entitlements, duty of care for all personnel, personnel wellbeing, contract management practices, individual performance management and development practices, and exit management.

• Design and formulate consistent UNOPS HR policies and frameworks for delivering HR support to individual personnel across the organization.

• Spearhead the development of data collection systems to optimize data quality of HR policy decisions and recommendations.

• Interpret and analyze HR data to help inform strategic decision making on HR processes and strategies.

• Develop and contribute to the delivery and maintenance of simplified HR policies in collaboration and consultation with subject matter experts within PCG, Legal Group, Ethics and relevant stakeholders.

• Explain the scope and ramifications of proposed HR initiatives, promoting understanding of their purpose and functional advantages.

• Conduct risk-analysis and provide HR policy advice that promotes organizational behavior aligned to the strategic direction of UNOPS and in line with the new Integrated People Strategy.

• Serve as the primary policy advisor to UNOPS Senior Management through the PCG Director, providing strategic guidance and expertise on HR policies and practices.

• Review and revise HR policies to capture timely implementation of any changes to the UN Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and UN Common system HR policy reforms from the International Civil Service Commission and other interagency fora.

• Provide authoritative policy advice to HR and UNOPS leaders on HR policy interpretation and people management practices to support accountability and oversight.

• Monitor and ensure compliance of HR policies and procedures rigorously, and uphold integrity and accountability through high quality standards in all activities in HR.

• Advise entities (e.g. operational counterparts) on complex human resources policy issues including individual cases to ensure consistent application of policies across UNOPS and harmonization at the UN Common system level, where applicable.

• Advise managers on conflictual cases and provide risk analysis based on HR policy guidance to navigate the internal justice process, balancing individual and institutional interests.

• Analyze requests for approval of waivers from HR policies and HR-related corporate decisions.

• Complete risk assessments to ensure minimized liabilities and strengthen accountability, consistency and efficiency in HR management.

• Review and analyze implications of HR policies and all contractual modalities and provide expert advice with recommendations on practical HR business solutions.

• Draft position documents and advise on individual cases, as required.

• Prepare substantive inputs for position papers, briefings and/or background notes, presentations, statements, various reports on human resources policy issues for presentation to UNOPS senior leadership and intergovernmental bodies.

• Represent and support PCG management in representing UNOPS and PCG in the sessions of the International Civil Service Commission and the Human Resources Network of the Chief Executives Board, including related sub-committees and working groups.

• Respond to audit observations and recommendations relating to human resources management from the Board of Auditors, the Office of Internal Oversight Services and other UN bodies.

• Ensure the implementation of agreed audit recommendations and advise on corrective measures to be taken and establish relevant internal controls.

• Support any other engagement with international bodies related to human resources management.

• Support the PCG function in communicating UNOPS’ people principles informing HR policy to empower people managers across the organization.

• Lead a team of policy experts to provide global leadership and support on HR Policy development, maintenance, authoritative interpretation, and guidance.

• Proactively and consistently consult with all relevant internal and external stakeholders on policy development and/or revision.

• Prepare inputs for the annual work programme and budgets of PCG, determining priorities, resources’ needs and allocating resources for the completion of qualitative outputs and their timely delivery.

• Strengthen effective communications on people management practices among units, groups and regional offices and other various stakeholders.

• Work collaboratively with staff representatives to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure their involvement in decision-making processes regarding HR policies and initiatives.