[Hiring] WAE Consultant @World Food Programme

Role Description

The Staff Relations Branch (HRMSR) reports to the Director, Human Resources Division and is responsible for providing strategic advice to senior management in connection with employee grievances and disciplinary matters. The branch's goal is to protect the integrity and efficiency of the Programme, while also ensuring that WFP's internal justice system reflects principles of fairness and due process. In addition, Staff Relations works with managers, other offices, and staff representative bodies to promote a healthy workplace environment and constructive relations between staff and management, including through consultations on policy initiatives and through informal resolution of grievances and potential workplace conflict.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Support the handling of disciplinary matters, including matters involving alleged harassment, abuse of authority, and sexual misconduct. Under the guidance of the Staff Relations team lead, review fact-finding reports and relevant supporting documentation, conduct research, assist with the analysis of issues arising from the case, and prepare initial drafts of memoranda, employee notifications, and other relevant documentation for review.
• Assist in assessing and implementing protective measures for employees, including non-disciplinary suspension pending the completion of investigation or disciplinary processes, by gathering relevant information, conducting research, and preparing supporting documentation under the guidance of the Staff Relations team lead.
• Support efforts to address concerns of inappropriate and abusive behaviour by engaging with the employees concerned as appropriate, gathering and organizing relevant information, identifying matters requiring further consideration, and assisting the Staff Relations team lead in implementing managerial interventions.
• Contribute to the review and improvement of relevant policies, procedures, guidance materials, and working tools in the above areas, including through research, benchmarking, preparation of initial drafts, and incorporation of comments and feedback.

Deliverables at the End of the Contract

• Provision of sound and practical written and verbal advice and assistance in the above areas of responsibility, ensuring timely delivery of quality outputs.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Human Resources Management, Law, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Marketing, Communications, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of human resources management or law.
• Practical experience in advising on investigative and disciplinary matters, employment grievances, and disputes is a strong asset.
• Coaching, mediation, conflict resolution training and/or experience is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• Expertise in the fields of human resources management, employment disputes, investigative and/or disciplinary matters within the UN system is required.
• A good understanding of the policy and/or legal implications of decisions in employment disputes and in matters of discipline and conduct is expected.
• Ability to advise management in matters requiring a balancing of competing priorities and levels of risk exposure.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills, as well as ability to provide support to management.
• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to independently conduct research, process information, prepare reports, and provide advice on a range of relatively complex issues, with a solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to establish and maintain effective, respectful, and harmonious working relations with all individuals, regardless of gender, nationality, and cultural background.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information.

Languages

• Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, or Chinese) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is desirable.