Organizational Context:

With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
Main duties:
The Director of Human Resources shall:

i) Formulate guidelines and strategies covering the UPU HR policies and programmes under his/her responsibility, and provide authoritative advice to the executive head and management/staff of the organization;
ii) Initiate, plan, coordinate and direct, through subordinate managers and experts, the programmes and activities of functionally specialized units in the accomplishment of tasks, making decisions on administrative and operational matters covering the DRH;
iii) Represent the organization at various bodies, forums and events.

1. Strategic duties

1.1. As a member of the IB Management Committee (and IB Careers Committee)
– Make proposals in terms of general policy, internal organization, budget and resources, and staff management.

1.2. As Director
– Formulate substantive guidelines, frameworks and projects in all areas of HR (recruitment and planning, career development, training, performance evaluations, HR administration, staff regulations and rules, compensations and benefits, social security and staff welfare, classifications, etc.) in line with the UN system, ensuring that activities are carried out;
– Analyze and revise major documents/papers on the above-mentioned issues;
– Provide substantive input to ensure a good working climate.

2. Management of the DRH

2.1. Implementation and coordination of ongoing activities
– Oversee and ensure that the activities of programmes and units are carried out in line with the organization’s HR policies and strategy;
– Identify best practices and implement procedures to improve workflow and productivity.

2.2. Support and expertise
– Provide authoritative advice to the executive head and management on complex and sensitive HR and staff policy matters;
– Provide substantive expertise and decision making on sensitive issues relating to the activities of the DRH;
– Propose and implement proactive measures to avoid appeals of administrative decisions;
– Manage requests for reviews and appeals in order to resolve crisis situations, and coordinate IB action in the event of work disputes and disciplinary matters;
– Assume overall responsibility for conducting surveys on salaries and in relation to decisions on salary scales and staff allowances.

2.3. Administrative matters
– Oversee administrative matters necessary to the functioning of the DRH, including:
– supervising the budget and ensuring that available funds and resources are used in the best manner;
– reporting to the executive head on the directorate’s performance in line with results-based management and in a coordinated manner.

2.4. Project supervision
– Supervise the strategic projects of the different programmes of the DRH, such as the development and maintenance of a common human resources policy in the areas of compensation, service conditions and tasks.

2.5 Team management and organization
– Propose a clear organizational structure and ensure that job descriptions accurately reflect the responsibilities of each staff member in the directorate;
– Prepare the work plan of the directorate and allocate work assignments;
– Lead, manage and motivate staff through the setting of measurable annual objectives, ensuring that staff performance is evaluated and objectives are achieved;
– Propose training and career development measures and organize regular staff meetings;
– Ensure effective allocation of staff according to the workload of the various programmes.

3. Responsibility to UPU bodies

3.1.Council of Administration (CA):
– Coordinate the preparation of reports and papers for presentation to the CA and present HR policies and results to the CA;
– Prepare amendments to the Staff Regulations for submission to the CA.

4. Representation
Internal:
– Represent the executive head and the organization in discussions and negotiations between representatives of line management and the staff on all personnel matters;
– Organize consultation with elected staff representatives and chair/participate in advisory bodies and committees (Appointments and Promotions Committee and others).

External:

– Maintain high-level contacts with associated UN agencies on HR matters;
– Represent the organization in matters within the scope of the director’s responsibilities at inter-organizational bodies of the United Nations, particularly the HR network of the Chief Executives’ Board (CEB), the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and other HR working groups.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education:
A Masters degree from a University or its equivalent in areas such as HR management, law, social sciences or similar.
Experience:
A strong, proven experience of over 10 years at management level in HR in an international organization, public administration or the private sector.
Technical knowledge:
1. Very good knowledge of HR management (organization, staff recruitment and development, compensation and benefits, HR administration issues, consultation with staff representatives, HR legal issues, etc.).

2. Legal background in the field of HR.

3. A good knowledge of the rules of the United Nations common system (conditions of service, job classifications, etc.) would be desirable.
Skills and abilities / competencies:
1. Leadership: ability to lead and manage staff, delegate, and coordinate staff activities.

2. Ability to identify problems and solutions and to manage complex organizational issues.

3. Ability to plan and organize.

4. Ability to strictly apply moral values and principles (ethics).

5. Judgement and decision-making authority, ability to interpret official and legal documents.

6. Ability to defend and explain difficult and complex issues.

7. Good interpersonal skills and customer orientation in a multi-cultural environment.

8. Very good communication skills (oral and written).

9. Cost awareness.
Language skills:
Fluency in English or in French. Capacity to communicate in the other language would be an asset.
Additional Information:
French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau.
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Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year).
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The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with
disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence.
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Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from
being excluded from the selection process.