ASSOCIATE EXAMINATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions. The Human Resources Services Division (HRSD) provides dedicated services in support of human resources requirements of client entities, from process development through service delivery. The Division establishes and manages rosters across all job families, organizes testing and examinations, provides operational support and other advisory service for clients for the full spectrum of their delegated authorities, and supports managers and business partners in the use of non-staff personnel. The Human Resources Staffing Service (HRSS) offers expertise in the areas of talent acquisition and innovation, testing and examinations, operational workforce planning and organizational design across UN Secretariat entities. The Assessment and Innovation Section (AIS) provides administrative support to Global Roster Section (GRS) in building and managing rosters for Young Professionals Programmes (YPP) examinations, Competitive Examinations for Language Positions (CELP), and Generic Job openings (Generic Job Openings), administers Language Proficiency Examinations (LPE), provides assessment services for position specific job openings in the Professional category and the General Service and related categories, and provides innovations and technical solutions for talent management including enhancements of Inspira and development and maintenance of the United Nations Online Examinations and Tests System (UNOETS). The position is located in the Assessment and Innovation Section (AIS), Human Resources Staffing Service (HRSS), Human Resources Services Division (HRSD), Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Associate Examination Officer reports to an Assessment Manager, Human Resources Officer in AIS. ResponsibilitiesThe Associate Examinations Officer will play a key role in advancing innovation of talent assessments in the Service and assist in planning, organization, development and administration of competitive examinations, assessments and tests for the recruitment of staff across all categories. A primary focus will be the administration of assessments via the UN Online Examinations and Testing System (UNOETS), a Moodle-based online testing platform. The Associate Examinations Officer will support the design and development of system enhancements in collaboration with a remote development team, maintain and update communications and assessment templates, train clients on system use, and manage data and reporting requirements for UNOETS. Additionally, the Associate Officer will contribute to the development of communication materials, user guides and job aids, human resources reports, presentations, and briefing notes relevant to the Service. Recruitment and Staff Selection • Coordinates with clients in identifying assessment solutions for upcoming vacancies • Assists in planning, organizing, developing and administering various competitive examinations and assessments and tests related to recruitment of all categories of staff. • Apply principles in developing psychometrically sound content for assessment for staff selection to positions at the United Nations Secretariat across functional titles and levels. • Contributes to the innovation of talent assessments in the Human Resources Staffing Service. • Reviews existing processes and proposed improvements as required to address challenges and requirements in the Human Resources Staffing Service. • Assists in the development of various test item types, including reasoning questions (numerical, logical, verbal, nonverbal), situational judgment, etc. • Contributes to the analysis of test items to mitigate bias and ensure reliability and validity. • Contributes to the development of tests that are job relevant and in compliance with best practices in assessment. • Prepares statistical analysis and reports regarding the performance of developed tests and assists in the development of an approach for sustainable test performance reporting. • Provides support in the review and improvement of assessment, examination and testing approaches, processes and workflows, development of guidelines, standard operating procedures for operational activities. • Serves as ex-officio in examinations boards and expert/interview panels. • Provides support in the identification, review and recommendation of testing and assessment tools, such as internet-based or computer-based testing tools, adaptive testing, or asynchronous video interviewing. • • Develops and maintains effective working relationships with various stakeholders including examination administrators at different duty stations, agencies' focal points, examination applicants. • Prepares correspondence, instructional and informational materials to various exam stakeholders. • Keeps abreast of technology innovations, current literature, practices, and trends in modern testing and assessment techniques and shares knowledge with others Quality assurance • Contributes to the review of testing content and scoring for the assessment of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and support the establishment of scoring guide. Other duties • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision making, presentation and reporting. • Assists in the preparation of presentations and written outputs on the full range of policy and practical issues related to the recruitment process. • Assists with the preparation of the Section's work programme and budget and the monitoring of the budget performance. • Performs other duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationAn Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in industrial psychology / occupational psychology (applied work psychology), human resources management, computer science, psychometrics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in (1) talent/employment assessment as part of a corporate (profit or non-profit) recruiting or staff development function or in (2) psychometric test development and/or research or related area is required. No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination, the United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination or the General Service to Professional Examination. Experience with Moodle-based assessment platforms is required. Experience supporting the design and/or development of enhancements to Moodle-based assessment platforms is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).