HR Policy Consultant (Regulatory Framework), Remote, Division of People & Culture (12 months)

The Consultant will conduct a thorough review and update of UNICEF’s Human Resources policies to ensure they are fully aligned with the most recent revisions to the UNICEF Regulatory Framework, which came into effect on 1 July 2024. This process will include identifying any gaps or inconsistencies between the existing policies and the updated framework, as well as recommending any necessary adjustments to enhance compliance and effectiveness.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Hope 

The HR policy pillar, within the Policy, Employee Relations, Compensation and Social Benefits (PERCS) team in the Division of People & Culture, focuses on designing UNICEF’S HR policy frameworks and procedures to support the Organization’s goals and strategies, while ensuring consistency with decisions of the UN General Assembly, the International Civil Service Commission, CEB, HLCM, HR Network as well as other inter-agency fora.

How can you make a difference? 

The Consultant will conduct a thorough review and update of UNICEF’s Human Resources policies to ensure they are fully aligned with the most recent revisions to the UNICEF Regulatory Framework, which came into effect on 1 July 2024. This process will include identifying any gaps or inconsistencies between the existing policies and the updated framework, as well as recommending any necessary adjustments to enhance compliance and effectiveness.

The consultant will be responsible for the following Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Creating a mapping & plan for updating HR regulatory documents in consultation with the project lead to agree on prioritization and identification of gaps and misalignments with the current UNICEF Regulatory Framework.

To successfully deliver the excepted outcome the consultant will need to conduct an in-depth review of UNICEF’s Human Resources policies and procedures; create and maintain a database to monitor and prioritize documents for revision.

Deliverable 2: Drafting and revising 115 HR regulatory documents.

To successfully deliver the excepted outcome the consultant will need to adapt the HR documents fit within the new Regulatory Framework templates, ensuring that all necessary components are reflected accurately. Ensure that all HR policies are clearly written and consistent with the updated framework, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring ease of understanding for all stakeholders. Clearly identify the relevant persons and offices with delegated authority to grant exceptions to specific policies, ensuring that these roles are defined within the policy documents and identifying relevant gaps.

Financial Proposal:

Please submit documents attached section an all-inclusive lump sum rate for the deliverables (in US$) to undertake the deliverable-based terms of reference.

The financial proposal needs to elaborate the proposed breakdown of the lump sum amounts through estimated number of days and daily rate (in US$) to undertake the deliverable-based terms of reference.

The proposal should also indicate the estimated break up of lump sum rates for each phase of development of individual HR regulatory document (Deliverable 2). Currently the below phases are required to develop & finalize HR regulatory documents:

• Initial development of draft and clearance from Director, Division of People & Culture
• Global consultations with relevant stakeholders.
• Finalization of second draft based on inputs received during global consultations.
• Clearance from DED, Management.
• Submission of final draft and decision review document with Regulatory Framework (RF) team for final decision review.
• Finalization of the document and issuance through RF system after decision review stage.

NOTE: Applications without a detailed financial proposal will not be considered for review.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• A university degree in human resources management, law, international relations, business, public administration, or a related field. 

• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in  applying, developing and interpreting human resources policies or administrative law matters in an international organization, preferably an organization part of the UN common system, or comparable experience in a policy or regulatory design or maintenance role.
• Demonstrated ability to work with attention to detail and high accuracy in work deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.

• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have current health insurance coverage in place. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Please note:

• Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed-upon satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or if the consultant delays submitting the deliverables.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.  

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.