HR Specialist / Team Lead - People Programmes [Open to Tier 1 applicants]

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization that is part of the broader United Nations System, dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Established in 1965, UNDP plays a pivotal role in supporting nations in their efforts to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and advance socio-economic development. With a focus on inclusive and equitable growth, UNDP provides technical expertise, mobilizes financial resources, and delivers policy and other services to support the formulation and implementation of effective development strategies and solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, collaborating with local partners, governments, and other stakeholders to build resilient communities and foster sustainable development. UNDP's initiatives span a wide range of areas, including climate change, gender equality, governance, and crisis response, embodying its commitment to creating a better and more sustainable future for people across the globe.

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) is part of the UNDP Bureau for Management Services (BMS) of UNDP. It is the anchor of the global HR function for UNDP, providing strategy and policy setting, guidance and oversight. In addition, BMS/OHR provides a broad range of HR advisory and talent management services enabling UNDP to deliver fully integrated development solutions to enable its workforce to deliver more and better results. BMS/OHR aims to be at the leading edge of HR in the international development sector by developing high quality and innovative human resources solutions and driving transformation across UNDP.

With its People for 2030 strategy, OHR aims to be at the leading edge of HR in the international development sector by strengthening and innovating its human resources solutions and driving transformation across UNDP.

Within this innovative, ambitious and dynamic context, BMS/OHR is seeking high calibre HR professionals with a strong HR background, and the capacity, commitment, and attitude needed to drive a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, transformative results, as well as inclusion, respect and trust. 

People Programmes and Partnership team (PPP) works to enable a diverse pipeline of people programmes, hereunder Early Talent initiatives and outreach with a vision to nurture the rejuvenation of UNDPs workforce, as well as manifesting itself as a Centre for Excellence in providing solutions and services on Early Talent programmes and Management across UN system agency clients, member states as well as other potential partners. 

These programmes include the Junior Professional Officer, Specialist for Development, Graduate Programme as well as Internship and Fellowship Programmes. PPP also manages the Technical Expert Secondment Programme, and it equally engages in designing and developing new people programmes meeting strategic organizational objectives of both UNDP and Partners

PPP provides end-to-end HR Services to Donors, UN Agencies and staff members hired under these programmes. Hereunder, services on recruitment, assessment and selection, HR services, advisory, learning and career development, partner relations and reporting, and financial oversight. 

Under the strategic leadership of the Chief, People Programme and Partnerships (PPP), the HR Specialist will contribute to the development and roll out of the Early Professionals for Impact and Change strategy (EPIC), as well as provides oversight in management of People Programmes (JPO/SDP, Fellowship, Secondment Programmes, and oversight of HR services ensuring their transparency and integrity. The HR Specialist acts as team lead of HR Associates providing HR services to young professionals in both UNDP and 14 partner agencies, and government secondment programmes as well as leads a part-time Learning analyst to deliver learning and development offerings to early professionals. The HR Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and promotes the maintenance of high staff morale and engagement. 

The HR Specialist works with a wide range of strategic partners and clients including staff, donor governments, UN partner organizations as well as UNDP offices. The HR Specialist works closely with the OHR HR Business Partners, Talent Development Unit, Talent Acquisition, Deployment and Succession team, People Analytics Unit, GSSU-HR and UNDP hiring offices in delivering client-oriented services in People Programme management, HR service delivery and design of talent acquisition strategies. 

UNDP has adopted a portfolio approach to effectively respond to changing business needs and leverage relevant synergies and linkages to achieve its strategic goals. This is in recognition of the interconnected nature of development challenges that the world is facing and that call for assembling multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, all UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1.    Effective Oversight of People Programmes.

• →Coordinate service innovation on enhanced HR service delivery on people programmes, as well as leveraging emerging business opportunities.  
• →Contribute to the design and development of new People Programmes.
• →Manage, oversee and further refine the implementation of People Programmes (JPO, and others) incorporating partner feedback into programme design and HR service delivery.
• →Promote and nurture partnerships across UN Agencies and partner countries as well as other stakeholders engaged in the delivery and development of People Programmes.
• →Support and contribute to the finalization, launch and implementation of the Early Professionals for Impact and Change strategy, EPIC.

2.    Ensure the delivery of client-oriented HR services for People Programmes to UNDP and partner agencies and facilitate knowledge management.

• →Oversee and coordinate HR service delivery and development in HR administration for improved services to PPP/JPOSC Partner countries and UN Agencies.
• →Analyse corporate HR strategies and policies, facilitating their implementation and alignment for People Programmes.
• →Ensure compliance of HR benefits and entitlements determinations with UNDP rules and regulations, strategies and policies/procedures.
• →Advise and guide partner UN Agencies, Stakeholders and HR team on interpretation and application on policies on non-routine cases. 
• →Provide advisory services and HR Solutions to relevant stakeholders on facilitating complex cases for placements under the People programmes.
• →Within delegated authority and in consultation with the Chief/PPP present exceptional considerations and recommendations for approval.
• →Coordinate, manage and continue HR business processes review and improvements and ensure development/updated Standard Operating procedures in HR management.
• →Actively liaise with relevant UN and UNDP entities to seek policy clarifications and/or aligned procedures ex. GSSC and UN Secretariat.
• →Act as approver for benefits and entitlements payments, and discretionary decisions under appliable DOA when required. 
• →In collaboration with the OHR/PPP Strategic Partnerships and Outreach Specialist, design and implement satisfaction surveys targeting People Programme participants and its main stakeholders.
• →Liaise with Payroll and Finance Unit on complicated cases and identify resolutions.
• →Identify lessons learned and good practices, ensuring their dissemination across UNDP and integration into programme design and delivery.

3.    Coordinate and manage recruitment and career services for People Programmes to UNDP and Partner Agencies.

• →Oversee and coordinate the overall recruitment service provision from PPP/JPOSC in partnership with Partner countries and receiving agencies, and UNDP Units.
• →Ensure timely, transparent and competitive recruitment and selection processes for all placements under People Programmes
• →Ensure alignment of People Programme placements with corporate procedures under UNDPs assessment and selection framework and governing special measures.
• →Coordination, planning and oversight of the HR team recruitment activities across partner agencies, UNDP as well as in partnership with sponsoring partner countries. 
• →Develop and coordinate the HR service provision on end-to-end learning, career and development services under the Formation Journey to early professionals under People Programmes in partnership with Learning Analyst and TDU.
   

4.    Ensure Excellence in the Performance of the People Programmes HR Team and the Learning Analyst.

• →Act as Team lead of the People Programmes HR Team ensuring excellence in performance and delivery of end-to-end HR services and HR solutions.
• →Supervise the Learning & Development Analyst ensuring excellence in performance and delivery of learning and development activities.
• →Motivate team members by creating an engaging work environment, fostering innovation, enable feedback loops and encourage knowledge sharing and professional growth.
• →Monitor and assesses the performance of teams responsible in compliance with the UNDP performance management framework.
• →Plan, coordinate and oversee workload facilitate redistribution and ideal work-resource balance with the team.
• →Promote the building of capabilities in emerging technologies and corporate tools, hereunder how to leverage Generative AI and tools such as UN All, Power BI, etc.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: HR Specialist/Team Lead manages a team of HR professionals providing specialized, client-focused services to UNDP and UN partner agencies.

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
   

People Management Competencies:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & 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

Business Management:    

• Portfolio Management    
  • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
• Change Management    
  • Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organizational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementing change
     

HR - People strategy and planning:    

• Human Resources Strategic Planning    
  • Ability to develop integrated HR strategies, governance structures, policies and procedures
• Organizational Design and Development    •
  • Knowledge of the organizational design and development theory (i.e. enabling organization's performance through the design of structures, frameworks, systems, policies and metrics, as well as building and developing its culture, capability, values, behaviours, and relationships); understanding of macro trends that impact the design of organizations (e.g. sustainability, geopolitical, demographic, technology); knowledge of organizational design and development diagnostic tools; ability to 'scenario plan' for longer term organization design and development; ability to manage the development of capability/competency frameworks and maps 
     

HR - Talent acquisition:    

• Talent Sourcing and Outreach    
  • Knowledge of and ability to develop and implement strategies, mechanisms and platforms to ensure the effective outreach to the relevant segments of the labour market, active and passive candidates internally and externally
     

HR - Learning and development:

• Leadership Development     
  • Knowledge of the leadership development theories, concepts and methodologies; ability to apply them in the design and implementation of the leadership development strategies and programmes; ability to advise leaders on their development needs and related strategies
     

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required; or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Professional certification or additional training in human resources management or other relevant areas (coaching etc.) is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in providing HR and talent development services in UN, Public or International organizations is required
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams is required.  
• Experience designing and implementing targeted talent programmes for early professionals is desirable.
• Experience in managing service delivery in HR programmes and/or other HR areas in partnership with external partners is desirable. 
• Proven experience in recruitment, assessment and selection frameworks and methodologies specially for early professionals is required. 
• Demonstrated experience in working with multiple stakeholders is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in providing HR advisory services and tailored HR solutions to clients, including the management and facilitation of complex placement cases, is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of UN/UNDP policies is desired

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Working knowledge of another UN language is desired. 

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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