Chief, Staff Relations, P5

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race colour national origin ethnic or social background genetic information gender gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion or belief HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse committed skilled and high performing teams selected on merit operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFPs values (Integrity Collaboration Commitment Humanity and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP visit our website: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable particularly women and children can access the nutritious food they need.

We are currently recruiting a highly competent candidate based in Global HQ (Rome Italy) to provide strategic and operational leadership to WFPs Staff Relations function at the P5 level. This HR leadership team role reports directly to the Director Human Resources Division.

The selected candidate will lead a team that delivers solutions to complex issues arising in grievances and disciplinary matters. The branch plays a critical role in promoting a culture of individual accountability while also ensuring that WFPs internal justice system reflects principles of fairness and due process.

JOB PURPOSE

To lead the Staff Relations Branch in providing strategic guidance on disciplinary matters informal dispute resolution and staffmanagement relations. The Chief of Staff Relations ensures the consistent application of HR policies supports managers in addressing workplace conduct issues and collaborates with key oversight and advisory offices to promote a respectful healthy and accountable work environment. The role entails frequent interaction with the Director Human Resources Division the Office of the Inspector General the Legal Office the Ethics Office and the Office of the Ombudsman.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive within delegated authority):

• Lead HRMs Staff Relations branch on matters of individual accountability disciplinary practice informal dispute resolution and staffmanagement relations and serve as HRM focal point for senior management on disciplinary cases.
• Provide decision-makers with expert balanced assessments that consider operational managerial legal financial and fairness elements in each case and ensure consistent interpretation and application of HR policies related to conduct discipline and grievance resolution.
• Drive the development and implementation of actions aimed at enforcing protection from abusive conduct (harassment sexual harassment abuse of authority and discrimination).
• Uphold WFP values and behaviors by acting as a trusted and visible advocate for a safe respectful and inclusive workplace setting the tone for professional and respectful staff relations across the organization.
• Provide expert solution-oriented advice to managers and HR professionals at a global level on complex issues arising related to the interpretation and application of HR policies and procedures the management of disputes and grievances and the handling of non-routine and potentially contentious situations relating to employment relationships or workplaces.
• Provide guidance in the discussion with concerned parties and in the decision-making and documentation processes for employee separations due to unsatisfactory performance health reasons and/or in the interest of the good administration of WFP.
• Prepare background briefings and recommend positions to the Director HRM and senior management on issues related to staff relations.
• Lead motivate and develop a team of professionals to enable high performance. Supervise and coordinate the work of staff and external firms/consultants as required.
• Represent HRM with clients and in interdivisional or external fora. Exercise delegated authority to commit WFP on HR policy issues within the designated area of responsibility.
• Other Responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree in Human Resources Management Psychology Industrial/Labour Relations or Law or a first university degree with additional years of related work experience or training/courses.

Experience:

• At least 11 years of progressively responsible postgraduate experience in the fields of human resources management industrial/labour relations and/or law practice. 3-5 years of international experience.
• Experience with managing industrial relations disciplinary matters grievances and contested employee separations.
• Experience in a United Nations System entity is a plus.

• Led and motivated a diverse and complex team of professionals to excel in their respective specializations while ensuring effective coordination and synergies.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in providing high quality advice to senior leadership on disputes grievances and disciplinary matters with the ability to integrate both operational and strategic considerations.
• Strong understanding of how internal legal frameworks investigation processes and disciplinary procedures operate within a complex international organization.
• A successful record of negotiating complex and sensitive situations involving competing interests and multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and to consult influence and partner with senior stakeholders in the development and implementation of human resources strategies solutions and policy changes.
• Ability to design develop manage and implement human resources policies procedures and new programmes.
• Ability to identify issues analyse information formulate sound opinions draw conclusions and put forward solid recommendations on complex matters.
• Strong ability to represent the organization effectively communicate complex issues with clarity identify opportunities for improvement and sustain productive relationships over time.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines while remaining calm in stressful situations.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic Chinese French Russian Spanish and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).
Fluency in French is highly desirable for this role.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• These two positions are International Professional positions and are open to all nationalities.
• Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. These positions are however classified as non-rotational which means the incumbents shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the positions are reclassified as rotational. The selected candidates will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. These positions are open to both internal and external candidates.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards () including basic salary post adjustment relocation entitlement visa travel and shipment allowances 30 days annual leave home leave an education grant for dependent children a pension plan and medical insurance.
• The selected candidates will be required to relocate to Rome Italy to take up this assignment.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application processing training interviewing testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee please disregard it. Furthermore please note that emblems logos names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application please contact us at for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport recommendation letters academic certificates etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs job requirements merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse all forms of discrimination any kind of harassment sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.