Chief, Human Resources Policies and Administrative Law, P5

Posting Title : Chief, Human Resources Policies and Administrative Law, P5
Job Code Title : Chief,HR Policies and Administrative Law
Department/ Office : UNRWA – Human Resources – Headquarters Amman
Location : HQ Amman
Posting Period : 28 January 2025-24 February 2025
Job Opening number : 25-HRE-UNRWA – Human Resources-251287-R-HQ
Amman (R)
Staffing Exercise : N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff
working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to
make a change.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the
most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.
The Chief, Human Resources Policies and Administrative Law reports to the Director of
Human Resources.
Responsibilities
Manages the Human Resources Policies and Administrative Law Division (HRPAL); plans
and coordinates the Division’s work objectives ensuring that comprehensive objectives and
work plans are established and met; identifies and resolves any operational/management
issues affecting the quality of services provided by the Division.
Develops human resources (HR) policies, practices, and procedures to meet the evolving
Agency needs in the context of strategic planning, goals, and objectives and provides
proactive and innovative approaches and guidelines on the interpretation and implementation
of the Agency’s policies and procedures related to the delivery of human resources services in
consultations with stakeholders across the Agency at HQ, field and Executive Management
level.
Prepares rules, policy, position papers and proposals representing UNRWA’s views on human
resources issues and reforms in all areas of HR including recruitment/staffing, staff
development, performance management, grievances and HR legal, HR services, benefits and
entitlements and staff wellbeing to ensure contemporary, UN-aligned HR practices across
UNRWA; provides advice to Field and HQ management in line with the policies and
guidelines ensuring consistent application across the Agency and undertaking applicable
reviews of HR practices in Fields and HQ; coordinates with DLA, as required, in consultation
with DHR;
Leads and directs the work of subordinate staff in relation to appeals and grievances; in close
collaboration with DLA contributes to designing, maintaining and updating the administrative
and employment law systems for Agency staff;
Represents HRD in inter-agency meetings and inter-agency cooperation projects as assigned
by DHR; holds consultations with staff unions, government representative or inter-agency
officials or missions as instructed. Acts for the Director during his or her absence, with full
responsibility for HRD when designated by DHR;
Keeps abreast of wider UN issuances and international best practices and trends by liaising
with professional peers, attending meetings and seminars, conducting research and analyzing
the impact of such developments and issuances on the Agency’s HR strategies, policies and
procedures; reviews and updates the Agency’s Staff Rules and Regulations and policy
issuances; accordingly,
Serve as the primary policy advisor to the Director of Human Resources, providing strategic
guidance and expertise on HR policies and practices; ensures consistent application of HR
policies across the Agency through training for managers and other stakeholders in the Field
Offices in best HR practices and lessons learned; coordinates with the Department of Legal
Affairs on disciplinary and appeals processes.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core
Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by
default.
i. Relating and Networking
ii. Leading and Supervising
iii. Formulating Strategies and Concepts
iv. Managing Complexity and Change
v. Innovating and Taking Risks
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in human
resources management, public or business administration, law or in a related area such as
social or behavioral sciences is required.
Job Specific Qualifications
License to practice law in any jurisdiction is desirable.
Work Experience
At least ten years of relevant and progressive / varied human resources experience is required.
A minimum of five years or relevant experience in the UN system, or in international or
governmental institutions at a senior supervisory level is required.
A minimum of four years’ experience related to human resources regulatory framework
design is required.
Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant
international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate
is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required.
Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution
in in human resources management, public or business administration, law or in a related area
such as social or behavioral sciences is required.
Experience in UN administrative law is desirable.
Familiarity with the history of contemporary problems in the Middle East is desirable.
Familiarity with UN Common System practices is desirable.
License to practice law in any jurisdiction is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is required;
Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be
followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility
of further extension.
Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be
considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the
requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered. Given the large pool of
applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment,
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
eligible for a temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying
experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not
considered an acceptable combination.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be
plastic free.
Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the
immediate disqualification of the candidate.
The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN
database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a
misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information
with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have
been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or
disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited
from employment with the United Nations.”
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states,
regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA
is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the
difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org
United Nations Considerations
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to
assignment by him or her.
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current
UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from
under-represented groups.
At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the
necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due
regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of
qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and
inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with
disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when
requested and indicated in the application.
UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence,
neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human
rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who
fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs.
Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed
violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law,
sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to
believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who
have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for
employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of
misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear
on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment
platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the
Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side
of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in
the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable
internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations,
resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative
issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information
pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in
inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion,
revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates
under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the
information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time)
on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE
REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR
REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT
AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING,
PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN
ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.