Senior Human Resources Assistant

Post Title: Senior Human Resources Assistant

Grade: Fixed Term (G6)

Duty Station: WFP’s Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa, based in Nairobi

Salary: As per UN Salary Scale

This vacancy announcement is open to both male and female candidates. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the post of Senior Human Resources Assistant in support of the Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (OMN), based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Under the direct supervision of the Regional HR Officer, the Senior Human Resources Assistant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Guide, train and supervise other support staff in the area of responsibility; arrange for and/or attend meetings on day-to-day basis on human resources matters; participate in discussions of new or revised procedures and practices, interpret and assess the impact of changes, and make recommendations for follow up action;
• Review candidate applications for advertised vacancies;
• Issue contracts and/process all types of human resources transactions;
• Assist in briefing/debriefing staff members on issues relating to human resources matters;
• Assist the Human Resources Officer in reviewing the contractual status of staff in order to ensure contracts are prepared on timely basis and reviewed before the deadline;
• Oversee the data input into human resources related databases by HR assistants and provide guidance on data input and validation;
• Assist and/or provide support in recruitment of national/local staff in the National Officer and General Services categories;
• Assist with recruitment administration, including employment applications, shortlisting and a CV database in line with the recruitment needs;
• Maintain data integrity in databases, and initiate corrective actions when necessary;
• Draft or prepare correspondence to respond to enquiries on relevant human resources matters; review correspondence drafted by HR assistants prior to clearance by the Human Resources Officer as appropriate;
• Evaluate, develop, and recommend procedures. Participate in discussions on new/revised procedures and practices; interpret and assess the impact of changes and make recommendations on follow up actions;
• Compile and maintain payroll data, reconcile errors and update payroll information by collecting, calculating, and entering relevant data including overtime;
• Prepare induction briefings for new staff and re-assigned international staff;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Expected Results:  

• Well organized, reports and/or records, put together independently with only general guidance. 
• Well organized work with accurate information and databases; efficiently supervised team of support staff or work unit.

Critical Success Factors:  

• Sound judgment; 
• ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data and to resolve operational problems. 
• Ability to work with minimum of supervision; 
• to supervise and train support staff; and to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. 
• Ability to work with accuracy under time constraints and pressure; 
• to deal patiently and tactfully with staff members and others and to have a high sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: Secondary school education supplemented by a Diploma in Human Resources, Business Studies or related field, Knowledge of modern office procedures and communications skills.

Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible work experience including at least three years in a human resources or another related field and at least one year at the G5 level or equivalent.

Knowledge: Experience in utilizing computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, and other WFP standard software packages and computerized payroll systems. Specialized knowledge of WFP rules and regulations and policies and practices in the specific area of work. Knowledge of WFP manuals in the area of human resources administration. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing human resources administration.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English essential.

Other desirable skills: Knowledge of WFP manuals in the area of human resources administration. Working knowledge (level C) and/or limited knowledge (level B) of other WFP official languages depending on area of work. Formal training in administration or human resources.

Interested individuals meeting the above qualifications are required to submit their applications together with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of education certificates, names and telephone numbers or email addresses of three work referees by e-mail to: wfp.omnhr@wfp.org quoting the VA no. and the title of the position in the subject line.

Applicants should also complete and submit a Personal History form (P.11) available on the following linkhttp://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc.

Closing date: 04 June 2013. 

Applications must be received by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. 

Only short-listed candidates meeting all essential qualifications will be contacted.

NB: WFP does not charge fees from applicants at any stage during the recruitment process.