Senior Staff Relations Consultant
JOB TITLE: Staff Relations Consultant
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Senior Consultant
UNIT/DIVISION: HRMSR
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome, HQ (home based)
DURATION: 6 months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking an experienced Consultant to provide support to the Staff Relations Branch of the Human Resources Division (HRMSR) on short-term basis. The position will be homebased. HRMSR reports to the Director, Human Resources Division and is responsible for providing strategic advice to senior management in connection with grievances and disciplinary matters. The branch's goal is to protect the integrity and efficiency of the Programme, while also ensuring that WFP's internal justice system reflects principles of fairness and due process. In addition, Staff Relations works with managers, other offices, and staff representative bodies to promote a healthy workplace environment and constructive relations between staff and management, including through consultations on policy initiatives and through informal resolution of grievances and potential workplace conflict.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Review and provide recommendations to HMRSR Officers and WFP HR professionals in HQ and outside HQ on matters relevant to HMRSR services, such as disputes and grievances, complex administrative questions under the HR framework, separations for under-performance or medical grounds, behavioural concerns, and management interventions in respect of concerns of inappropriate and abusive behaviour; 2. Provide advice and assistance on request to WFP managers and supervisors, and – when appropriate – other employees, in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements; 3. Contribute to developing HRMSR's work plan and ensure compliance with own work plan; 4. Prepare reports and participate and/or lead special HRM/HRMSR project(s); 5. Contribute to the design and implementation of HRMSR initiatives in the fields of prevention, advocacy and awareness-raising; 6. Perform other job-related duties as required. 7.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT: Provision of practical written and verbal advice and assistance on HRMSR matters as requested, having ensured quality control and timely turn-around of cases; Plan, contribute to and implement HRMSR initiatives in the field of prevention, advocacy and awarenessraising; Perform other job-related duties and as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced university degree in Law or Industrial/Labour Relations, Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, or Political Science. Experience: At least 5 years post-graduate professional experience in the field of human resources management, industrial/labour relations or employment law, preferably within the United Nations system of organizations. Practical experience with advising on managing industrial relations, disputes, grievances and contested employee separations is desirable.
Knowledge & Skills: This position requires expertise in the field of human resources management, grievances, and labour relations within the UN system. An understanding of the policy and/or legal implications of decisions in disputes and grievances concerning employees. Ability to advise management in matters requiring a balancing of competing priorities and levels of risk exposure. Good written and oral advocacy skills, as well as analytical ability, to provide support to management. Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner, including ability to prepare briefing notes, presentations, legal submission and reports and to communicate effectively. Strong analytical skills and ability to independently conduct research, process information, prepare reports, and provide advice on a range of relatively complex employmentrelated issues, with a solution-oriented approach. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to establish and maintain effective, respectful and harmonious working relations with all individuals, regardless of gender, national and cultural backgroud. Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages)
