Human Resources Associate (Open to Nationals or applicants with Permanent Residents)

UNDP remains firm in its commitment to accompany the Government of South Africa in its development journey by investing in youth and women empowerment initiatives (skills development, employment promotion, and supporting entrepreneurship), promoting renewable energy, building state capability, disaster response, lobbying for biodiversity investments, and driving innovation.

In this context, this job description is a direct response to UNDP’s improved business model in South Africa. It envisions an office structure adapted to the current and future needs of the country, underpinning its advisory and programmatic offer while at the same time delivering solid implementation support. It also promotes a more collaborative approach to working across the office and with external partners.

The new structure defines the skill sets required to position UNDP in the new country context, adding substantive value through thought leadership and innovation, mobilizing strategic resources and ensuring projects are implemented in a smooth, efficient and transparent manner. This also entails engaging in the most pressing and transformational development challenges of the country.

Through its portfolio, the Country Office (CO) has tailored localized integral solutions to specific sustainable development issues and is crafting methodologies and toolboxes to deploy and escalate them across the country. This strategy requires excellent programme management and an organizational structure that reinforces the entire programming life cycle including planning, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and efficient operations.

UNDP’s organizational structure in South Africa endeavors to strengthen UNDP´s role as a learning organization ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030. It is designed to provide the foundation for the whole public policy life cycle with a special emphasis at sub-national level that, as an engagement strategy, is expected to allow new areas of joint work and resource mobilization.

Under the overall guidance of the Operations Manager, the HR Associate ensures execution of transparent and efficient HR services in the CO. The HR Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and supports the maintenance of high staff morale.

The HR Associate supervises support staff in the HR Unit. The HR Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the CO, UNDP HQ OHR Business Partners, and staff in GSSC and other UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex HR-related issues.

• Organize training for the operations and projects staff on HR issues;
• Assist in the creation and implementation of a local onboarding plan, leveraging corporate resources;
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in HR;
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplify processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

• 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.

• 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.

• Ability to develop integrated HR strategies, governance structures, polices and procedures.

• 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.

• Knowledge of and ability to develop and implement strategies, mechanisms and platforms to ensure the effective outreach to the relevant segments of the labour.

• Ability to design career management and support frameworks, processes and programmes, identify relevant resources to support individuals in assessing their career aspirations and preferences, designing and implementing career development strategies.

• Secondary education is required. Or
• A university degree in Human Resource, Business Administration, Public Administration, or an equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Specialized certification in HR is an advantage.

• A minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible HR and/or administrative experience at the national or international level is required;
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of HR web-based management systems such as ERP required;
• Prior experience working with UN /international agencies working in the support of HR practice area is desirable;
• Experience in supporting recruitment processes of development projects will be desirable;
• Experience in reviewing and editing documents, ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions is an asset;
• Experience in managing performance management systems is desired;
• Experience in talent management and career management is desired.

• Fluency in English is required.

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. 

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.

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.