Chief,HR Policies and Administrative Law

### Org. Setting and Reporting UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 25,000 staff and complementary personnel 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 incumbent of this post reports to the Director of Human Resources (DHR). The incumbent of the post provides direct supervision to a number of professional and general services staff members and/or other personnel. ### 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. - Deputizes the Director of Human Resources. ### 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. - Leading and Supervising - Relating and Networking - Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Managing Complexity and Change - Innovating and Taking Risks ### Education Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in human resources management, public or business administration, law or in a related area such as social or behavioral sciences. ### Job - Specific Qualification Not available. ### Work Experience At least ten years of relevant and progressive/varied human resources experience, including a minimum of five years in the UN system, or in international or governmental institutions at a senior supervisory level. In addition to at least five years of experience in human resources regulatory framework design, including staff relations and case management, as well as a minimum of five years of experience leading and managing teams 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. Familiarity with the history of contemporary problems in the Middle East is desirable. Familiarity with UN Common System practices is desirable. Working knowledge of Arabic and/or another official language is desirable. Experience and/or familiarity with the UN administrative law including with the preparation of submissions to the Dispute and Appeals Tribunals is desirable. Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs, owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A “yes” answer doesn’t necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. ### Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III ### Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. ### Special Notice Type of Contract and duration: Fixed Term, 1 year, with the possibility of further extension. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's on