Senior Advisor Human Resources

The Human Resources Branch (HRB) within the Administration Division of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) delivers high-quality human resources management, policy, learning and development, staff wellbeing, and administrative support to senior managers and the workforce at large. By providing expert advice and client-focused services, HRB ensures the Secretariat fulfils its strategic and operational functions effectively, in alignment with its tenure-based mandate and with a healthy and resilient workforce.

Operating under the leadership of the Head, HRB and the overall guidance of the Director, Administration, the Branch upholds a culture of respect, inclusivity, and compliance with the Organisation’s legislative framework and principles of International Administrative Law.

The Senior Advisor, Human Resources is critical to the daily operations of HRB, supporting and advising the Head, HRB in providing comprehensive, consistent, and strategic guidance on a wide range of HR matters, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities. This role manages the portfolios and posts under HR policy, organisational design, staff relations, data and risk management as well as business continuity, ensuring the Head, HRB is kept up-to-date. Additionally, the role leads HR and cross-functional projects, at the request of the Head, HRB.

Main Responsibilities:

Human Resources Strategy and Policy:

• Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with organisational priorities, biennial programmes, budgets, and best practices in people management;
• Provide consistent solutions-oriented advice and interpretation of HR policies, fostering effective collaboration within HRB and throughout the Organisation;
• Promote actively knowledge transfer by sharing HR expertise and best practices, providing regular updates and communications as well as by encouraging development;
• Evaluate and review HR policies and practices to ensure clarity and efficiencies while promoting compliance with administrative law; coordinate and draft inputs to governing documents.

Human Resources Advisory and Representational Services:

• Support the Head, HRB in day-to-day HR operations, ensuring strong client-orientation, process consistency, compliance, and continual improvement;
• Advise managers and staff throughout the employee lifecycle, interpersonal matters as well as performance management by recognising excellence and addressing performance issues;
• Represent the Head, HRB in committees, boards, and panels (e.g., recruitment, selection), and liaise with external stakeholders, including national authorities, as directed;
• Provide strategic guidance on organisational design to optimise workforce structures and to enable delivery of long-term objectives.

Engagement, Culture and Staff Relations:

• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture through employee engagement initiatives and mentoring colleagues;
• Address complex employee concerns with discretion, keeping the Head, HRB informed and escalating when necessary;
• Oversee grievance procedures, investigations, and disciplinary actions in collaboration with the Office of Legal Adviser and under the guidance of the Head, HRB;
• Collaborate with the Health and Safety Branch, managers and staff on return-to-work plans and related initiatives. Oversee the development of communication and learning opportunities to promote and maintain respectful dialogue and a professional work environment;
• Facilitate constructive dialogue when performance and interpersonal concerns arise, assess risk, propose solutions and seek advice from the Head, HRB when necessary.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Monitor and share internal and external HR trends, including those within the UN Common System;
• Generate data-driven reports to inform decision-making and senior management discussions;
• Ensure compliance with governing documents, audit recommendations, and best practices and other legal requirements;
• Monitor risks and business continuity needs, discussing with Head, HRB.

HR Projects:

• Lead and execute HR projects and cross-functional initiatives as directed by the Head, HRB;
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance workflow efficiencies, streamline processes and ensure regular communication of modified or new processes;
• Deputise for the Head, HRB when required.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field;
• A first level university degree in a related filed in combination with a minimum of 9 years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.

Source: https://opcw-career.talent-soft.com/job/job-senior-advisor-human-resources-p-4-_476.aspx