Performance Rebuttal Reviewer (Retainer), Multiple positions

Background Information – Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 9,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The People and Performance Group (PPG) is a strategic HR unit, helping UNOPS empower people, drive organizational excellence and manage change across the organization in order to help UNOPS deliver on its strategic intent.

We are a hard-working and committed team, bringing together experienced professionals with strategic HR management, including talent management and recruitment, learning and development, HR policy, organizational design and personnel well-being expertise – all of us having a passion for achieving results and building innovation into our way of doing business.

UNOPS is establishing a pool of Performance Rebuttal Reviewers as part of the organsiations’ effort to strengthen administrative mechanisms for UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) holders to challenge administrative decisions affecting their contractual rights and obligations.

Performance Rebuttal Reviewer will contribute to the transparent independent performance rebuttal process by reviewing rebuttal cases, conducting fact finding and issuing recommendations on the rebuttal outcome to the HR Director in line with the relevant UNOPS frameworks, values and principles. The pool of Performance Rebuttal Reviewers will be coordinated by HR Specialist (Performance Management), who will be receiving rebuttal requests and assigning the cases.

This role requires coordination with personnel at different levels and functions across the organization including HQ, Regional and Country Offices.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Rebuttal cases review & advise
2. Conflict resolution & mediation support
3. Post-case analysis

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the Head of Talent Management , Performance Rebuttal Reviewers will be coordinated by the Performance Management Specialist. The main functional responsibilities will include:

1. Rebuttal cases review

• Manage the review of the assigned rebuttal cases to assess and advise whether the performance management process was conducted in line with UNOPS Organisational policies and procedures and relevant UN jurisprudence.
• Conduct a prompt comprehensive independent review of rebuttal cases through the established fact finding methods.
• Liaise with relevant counterparts across UNOPS and senior management, when required
• Conduct interview(s), if necessary, with individual, supervisor and other relevant parties, including senior management;
• Gather, review and analyze relevant facts, including but not limited to interviews, statements, electronic records and documents.
• Prepare a comprehensive report with recommendation and advice to the HR Director and UNOPS senior management with rating recommendation and lessons learnt.

2. Conflict resolution and mediation support

• Provide conflict resolution and mediation support, when required, particularly in relation to the implementation of the rebuttal decisions/outcome
• Facilitate conversations with all involved parties, including senior leadership, to gather information and help the opposing parties work through their differences
• Coordinate with and advise to the relevant stakeholders
• Provide sound advice to senior management on sensitive cases
• When required, travel to field offices to perform conflict resolution work

3. Post-case Analysis

• Prepare post-case analysis with advise on the recurrent performance related issues, trends observed, lessons learned and advise on appropriate mitigation measures moving forward
• Support ongoing improvement of the relevant policy and process implementation
• Provide inputs to the relevant reports on lessons learnt and recommendations
• Contribute to the relevant training and capacity building initiatives

Expected deliverables:

• Rebuttal report for each case should be submitted within the established timeline since the case assignment
• The report should cover, at minimum, the case background, review process, analysis of the collected and reviewed information and records and recommendation in regards to the performance rating.
• Inputs and advise on lessons learned and performance management practices and policy, recommendations on preventive measures to avoid occurrence of similar cases in future;
• Contribute to the relevant PPG reports when required
• Engage in mediation and conflict resolution support, when required

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree preferably in law and/or HR Management, or first university degree with extensive experience in a similar position.
• Professional certification in Human Resource Management would be an asset.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of responsible experience in Performance Management, appeal mechanisms, interpersonal conflict, employer-employee claims, or equivalent.
• HR Experience within the UN system, international organizations and/or similar institutions is a distinct asset.
• Proven track record in performance evaluations and rebuttal, and/or performance management policy interpretation and analysis;
• Experience in working with sensitive and confidential issues related to people management; Cultural sensitivity
• Able to work in a multicultural environment.
• Analytical, innovative and proactive, with advanced interviewing/information elicitation skills.
• Field experience is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Full working knowledge in either Spanish or French is a distinct advantage

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: IICA 3 (ISC11) Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and 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, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

How to apply

UNOPS Website https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=24436#6