REQUEST FROM OHRM FOR

Request from

Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)

Operational Services Division, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

INT-151-06-P314-01-V (revised Oct 2008)

General Information

Title: Associate Expert in WORKFORCE PLANNING

Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year)

Date Required: as soon as possible

Duty Station (location, sector): New York

Supervision:

Title of the supervisor: Chief, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Section (PMRS)

Content and methodology of the supervision: Work plan formulation and on-going supervision.

Duties, responsibilities and output expectations: To continue with PMRS’s previous and current services to implement and further develop the Human Resources Planning function across the United Nations Secretariat, including the departmental Human Resources Actions Plans (HRAPs), and to participate in the development of strategic workforce planning for the Secretariat.

Job content:

Under the authority of the Director of Operational Services Division (OHRM) and the guidance of the Chief of the Planning, Monitoring and Reporting section (PMRS/OHRM), the associate expert in Human Resources planning and workforce planning would participate in the closing of the 4th planning cycle, the design of the format of the Human Resources Plans (HRAPs) for the 5th planning cycle (2007- 2008) and the introduction of the plans to the participating departments. He/She will contribute to the development of the concepts and support mechanisms for the workforce planning across the UN Secretariat as a related planning function in the organization.

Specific tasks would include the following:

- Participation in the conceptualization and design of the scope, targets and objectives of the strategic workforce planning framework in the United Nations Secretariat, including the identification of data requirements and elaboration of necessary concepts and implementation documentation and terms;

- Participation in the analysis and operational assessment of workforce trends at the United Nations Secretariat;

- Contributing to the development of the human resources planning function and its relationships with and impact on substantive programme performance and delivery;

- Contributing to the establishment of links and mutual impacts of workforce planning with other activities and functions of the human resources planning framework, such as departmental planning, succession planning, HR Action Plans and individual career planning;

- Participation in the determining of the scope, content and frequency of workforce reports;

- Assisting in the organization, implementation and maintenance of human resources-related databases which may be required for workforce planning;

- Participation in the collection and analysis of the departmental planning data and performance results at the corporate level;

- Participation in the development of human resources planning in the context of occupational networks as well as of staff mobility policies;

- Contributing to the design and preparation of reports related to workforce planning;

- Providing assistance and support to client departments/offices in respect of HR planning matters and related HR policies;

- Beginning-of-cycle HRAP activities: participation in the development of improvements in the HRAP methodologies, glossary and tools; completion of the design of the generic plan for the cycle with targets, indicators and parameters which constitute the basis for the production of each departmental HRAP; preparation and finalization of individual departmental HRAPs; administration of the HRAP portal;

- Within-cycle HRAP duties: HRAP follow-up actions, organization of HRAP implementation progress reviews with participating departments; administration of the HRAP portal;

- End-of cycle HRAP duties: preparation of closing of the cycle and of the departmental and Secretariat-wide cycle-closing reports and other documents as may be required; support the administration of the HRAP portal;

- Assistance in the preparation of HRAP-related statistical and analytical reports for legislative bodies (e.g., ACABQ, Fifth Committee, CPC);

- Participation in the development of requirements for the further improvement of the HRAP Portal and other IT support tools for the planning, monitoring and reporting functions;

- Participation in the development of the concept, strategies and support tools for the strategic workforce planning;

- Participation in the development of innovative mechanisms for improving the geographical representation of Member States.

Qualifications and experience:
Qualifications: Advanced university degree in public administration or business management preferably with a specialization in human resources management (planning).

UN competencies: communication and team work orientation; strong analytical skills; client orientation; commitment to learning; solid technological awareness; planning and organizing;

Work experience: At least 2 years professional experience in HR management and/or planning at the corporate or public administration level. Familiarity with statistical methodologies, concepts and processes and applicable IT support tools for data gathering and analysis. Advanced analytical skills and drafting skills. Experience in technical report drafting.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Learning Elements (measurable results): After the assignment the Associate Expert will be able to undertake the following duties and task-centered activities:

  • To contribute to the analysis and development of concepts, procedures and tools for longer term (five years) workforce planning as well as to design and implementation of the standard two year Human Resources Action plan (HRAP) at UN as well as to customize it to the Secretariat’s departments in following existing methodologies, performance targets and indicators, statistical data and baselines, etc.
  • To assess performance results and trends of HRAP cycles as well as to contribute to the improvements and refinements of the HR planning function, concepts and methodology.
  • To provide complex and results-based trend analysis on HRAP performance both at the aggregate as well as the departmental level.
  • To contribute to OHRM’s reporting to the GA and its bodies on key aspects of the Secretariat’s workforce (geographical and gender representation, formulation of improvement alternatives, etc).

Background information

The information should include:

  • General information about the organizational structure of the local UN organization

(including an organigram):

General outlines about the programme or project the ASSOCIATE EXPERT will be working in (history, recent developments, etc).

Outline about planned developments concerning the programme/ project

Information about the living c