Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-07-28
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 3, 2025
Standard Job Description
Assistant Human Resources Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Assistant Human Resources Officer will function under direct supervision of the (Senior) Administrative or Human Resources Officer. Incumbent will handle HR related activities within the country/ operation, and he/she may directly supervise, coach and guide locally recruited staff responsible for the personnel administration and other HR related matters. He/she will assist the (Senior) Officer responsible for Administration/ Human Resources in the process of staffing and budget reviews, recruitment and appointment of staff, and in the performance management and staff welfare issues. Incumbent will have close working relationship with the staff-related services in UNHCR, such as the Personnel Administration Section (PAS), Affiliate Partnerships and Recruitment Section (APRS). Assignments Management Section (AMS), Talent Development and Performance Section (TDPS), Staff Health & Wellbeing Service (SHWS) and Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC).
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Provide input in the preparation of the annual operations programme review submissions, and in the review of the training needs of the staff, making appropriate proposals to meet identified needs.
- Advise and counsel staff members on their rights, obligations, benefits and entitlements in line with UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations.
- Assist in timely advertising and filling of General Service and National Officer vacancies. Prepare submissions for the review by the local Assignments Committee (AC). Process recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Conduct regular audit and verification of personnel records in the office, including audit of MSRP entries into HR module, as well as of the attendance, overtime and leave records. Monitor maintenance of the daily tracking system to ensure accurate information is provided on staff and families in case of emergency. Provide support, guidance and training to all staff performing personnel administration and other HR related functions.
- Brief newly-arrived international staff on related administrative formalities; process and follow up on their accreditations and other related documents, and arrange for their onward travel to the field office, if applicable.
- Supervise administration of UNHCR medical insurance plan for locally recruited staff. Assist staff and dependants in case of medical evacuation.
- Assist in HR related activities of the security evacuation plan, ensuring relocations/evacuations are managed and administered in line with the provisions of the UN Security Management System Policy.
- Maintain liaison with the support sections and divisions at headquarters, specifically with DHRM, on matters related to the recruitment and personnel administration support, medical and other issues of staff welfare and safety.
- Enforce local compliance with the UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations, as well as with the performance management system.
- Clear issuance and extension of contracts for locally recruited staff.
- Clear payments related to personnel issues such as settlement of travel claims, overtime claims, hazard pay, MIP reimbursements, medical and security evacuations, shipment costs.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
Minimum Qualifications
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Human Resources Management; Law; Administration; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes and exposure to provision of support services in an international organization.
Desirable
Knowledge of UN/UNHCR field operational realities, especially in hardship duty stations. Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations is an asset. High IT affinity and working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP HR module, as well as with MSRP Financials and Focus.
Functional Skills
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
HR-PeopleSoft Human Capital Management
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
PG-Resource planning
FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile Operational context:
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
Nature of Position:
The operational context in Sudan changed drastically when, on 15 April 2023, armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ongoing conflict continues to worsen the humanitarian conditions in Sudan, exacerbated pre-existing intercommunal and ethnic tensions, and triggered massive displacements. The context has changed in the last few months with improved access to some parts of the country though it remains unpredictable and volatile. There is an increasing interest from the development donors in the recent times to implement development projects in accessible areas which host large number of refugees and asylum seekers. UNHCR has been closely coordinating with these actors.
As of early June, there were 10.1 million IDPs in Sudan which also includes IDPs who were displaced before the April 2023 conflict. Some of the old IDPs have been displaced multiple times. In the recent months, IDPs and Sudanese refugees especially from Egypt have returned to their place of origin. On the other hand, Sudanese refugees are also returning from South Sudan under adverse conditions. Since the start of conflict, over 4 million are displaced to the neighboring countries. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HRP) for Sudan estimates that there are 30.4 million in need of humanitarian assistance mainly due to the ongoing conflict. Ten out of 18 states are considered hard to reach and the humanitarian response in these areas is delivered mainly through cross line and cross border modalities.
Sudan has historically hosted one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. Prior to the conflict, Sudan hosted 1.1 million refugees, majority of whom resided in Khartoum State. Since the start of conflict, UNHCR and partners have been able to map the internal movement of refugees within Sudan. Over 266,000 refugees have moved towards safer areas mainly in White Nile and Eastern states. There are an estimated 842,000 refugees and asylum seekers remain in Sudan. Due to the conflict in South Sudan, over 41,000 South Sudanese have arrived in Sudan mainly to White Nile and West Kordofan states. In addition, Sudan continues to receive new arrivals from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
While humanitarian response continues to alleviate suffering and provide lief-saving interventions to the population affected by the conflict including refugees and asylum seekers, there is a need to work together with a range of stakeholders to implement activities that promote peaceful co-existence, resilience and self-reliance for refugees, IDPs and their hosting communities.
Despite the conflict, UNHCR remains committed to stay and deliver inside Sudan. International and national staff are present in accessible locations across the country, delivering protection and assistance to the forcibly displaced population both in response to the emergency and in line with UNHCRโs regular programmes. The Country Office, which was initially based in Khartoum, has been strategically restructured into three separate locations Port Sudan, Kassala and Nairobi to better facilitate its oversight functions.
The Assistant Human Resources Officer will play a central role in providing technical and strategic support in areas of human resources management concerning affiliate staff and will ensure compliance with UNHCR policies and UN Staff Rules and Regulations.
Under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for:
Supporting the Coordination/Communication with Senior Management
Supporting MEDEVACs
Supporting interviews
Overseeing national staff vacancy management
Serving as Co-Focal point for Training and capacity building
Serving as MIP approver
Supporting with Organigrammes for AOR
Serving as Focal point for EVOLVE for AOR
Serving as Back up of the Associate HR Officer
Being PO Approver โ Contractors/Consultants
Desired Candidate Profile:
โThe ideal candidate will possess expertise in United Nations human resource management and a thorough understanding of UN staff rules. Experience with UNHCR is highly desirable and considered an added advantage. The candidate should be competent, energetic, organized, and outgoing, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a proactive attitude. Exceptional communication skills and the ability to thrive in a high-pressure office environment are essential.
Key qualifications and attributes include:
โข Proven experience in effectively managing and providing HR support to affiliate workforce
โข Extensive experience in recruitment and onboarding of affiliate workforce
โข Experience in providing orientation to new hired colleagues
โข Demonstrated experience in maintaining affiliate employee job data and employment records
โข Familiarity with Workday and COMPASS
โข Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality in handling personnel records
โข Strong team orientation and collaborative mindset
โข Professionalism in addressing employee concerns
โข Solid analytical skills, with the ability to identify key issues, evaluate options, and provide clear recommendations
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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,
Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsFI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, HR-PeopleSoft Human Capital Management, PG-Resource planning, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
EducationBachelor of Arts: Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts: Law
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance