Job Description

Tiered Approach

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 1: This vacancy is open to UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments of all nationalities.

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

Background

For six decades, UNDP has shaped the progress of human development, working with its partners to lift millions from poverty and increase opportunities for all. Empowered by Member States with a mandate to work across the spectrum of human development, UNDP provides integrated support at scale to improve people’s lives worldwide. UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 is grounded in the determination to eradicate poverty, the greatest global challenge, indispensable to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the Strategic Plan, UNDP will continue to support countries’ progress towards high human development, while protecting the planet. Four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and healthy planet – define its strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance. All are underpinned by a commitment to human rights and to leaving no one behind.

Within UNDP, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) unites world-class policy expertise, flagship global programmes, and collaborative innovation and learning networks so UNDP is not only ready for the future — but helps build it with governments and partners. To support the achievement of the Strategic Plan, BPPS keeps UNDP at the leading edge of thought and practice, translating evidence into action and elevating solutions that work on the ground. BPPS is where policy meets practice - for impact. From development to crisis contexts, BPPS helps countries navigate complexity, scale what works, and advance a more just, resilient, and sustainable future.

In response to the dynamic and rapidly changing development context, BPPS implemented a new structure in 2026 to strengthen its ability to plan, adapt, and execute its strategy in support of the achievement of UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029. A key component of this restructuring is the centralization of operational support functions in the Business Services Hub for greater cost and process efficiency, integrating digital solutions where possible. The Business Solutions Hub provides support to BPPS Client teams and serves as the principal management adviser to the Directors and Deputy Bureau Director.

In this context, and under the supervision of the Human Resource Analyst, BSH, the HR Associate is responsible for the HR transaction and support to the assigned BPPS client portfolio, ensuring effective and transparent utilization of resources and integrity of services.

Duties and Responsibilities

The HR Associate supports the HR Analyst within the transactional services team in delivering high-quality, solutions-oriented HR services to BPPS client teams. The role ensures efficient and compliant HR transactional processes that strengthen operational effectiveness and adherence to corporate policies and procedures.

The HR Associate further supports the HR Analyst in the management and stewardship of HR resources, ensuring their effective, transparent, and accountable utilization for operational needs. The position plays a key role in safeguarding HR process integrity, ensuring compliance with United Nations Development Programme HR rules and regulations, and providing timely and accurate HR data to support decision-making.

UNDP applies a portfolio approach to respond to evolving business needs and to leverage synergies across interventions in support of its strategic objectives. This approach recognizes the interconnected nature of development challenges, risks, and crises, requiring multidisciplinary and integrated responses. As such, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects, fostering horizontal collaboration and contributing to system-wide effectiveness.

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

Ensure administration and implementation of HR Strategies and Policies

• Ensure compliance of HR operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and corporate operational strategies.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Provide advisory support to personnel on HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide high-quality HR support services to BPPS personnel in NY and other HQ locations.
• Backstopping on supplier management when needed.

Ensure effective administration of human resources recruitment and hiring processes.

• Facilitate timely and efficient recruitment processes, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and procedures.
• Coordinate end-to-end hiring processes, including preparation of job descriptions, TORs, vacancy management, evaluation, and selection.
• Support onboarding and orientation processes to ensure smooth integration of new hires.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective workforce planning and recruitment delivery.

Ensure proper staff performance management, talent management and career development.

• Support the implementation and administration of performance management frameworks and processes.
• Assist personnel and managers on performance evaluation, goal setting, and development planning.
• Contribute to monitoring achievement of management targets and organizational results.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous learning within HR and across the Business Services Hub.
• Assist in the development and delivery of training sessions, workshops, and knowledge products.
• Support documentation and standardization of HR processes and procedures.
• Participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice to enhance service delivery.

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: None

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

HR - People Strategy and Planning

• Job Design: Ability to design job roles to meet specific organizational objectives.

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 - Recruitment

• Recruitment Design and Management: Knowledge of, ability to design and manage end to end recruitment processes.
• Assessment and Selection: Knowledge and ability to apply various candidate assessment and selection methodologies, tools and platforms; ability to effectively align them with specific recruitment needs.

HR - Employee Engagement

• Employee Experience: Knowledge of theories and methods of creating holistic approaches around employee experience in the organization; knowledge of positive organizational psychology concepts and methods and ability to apply them in the design of the organizational strategies (e.g. determine barriers to the organization growth and employee productivity; design measures to examine workplace performance and job satisfaction; optimize the work environment to enhance employee experience; identify core personality traits that work best for specific roles and skills; research employee behaviours and trends).

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, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Secondary education with specialized certification in HR is required
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in HR, administration, or programme support service is required.
• Certifications and/or learning programmes completed in HR administration would be an added advantage.
• Experience with UN Staff Rules and Regulations is desirable.
• Proven experience in processing recruitment is desirable.
• Experience with being a focal point for tracking progress on mandatory learning, APR, learning and other key HR metrics for the office/business unit is desirable.
• Experience in designing and delivering learning and development activities is desirable.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel) is required.
• Experience with Atlas HCM, Quantum and Oracle Cloud is desired.

Languages:

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

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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.

Probation

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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

Scam alert

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

#LI-DNI