HR Associate Full-Time

Job Highlight

Be at the heart of HR, ensuring seamless operations and providing vital support, expert guidance, and valuable services that empower our teams and strengthen partnerships.

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

About the Project Office

UNOPS Mozambique is a trusted partner in advancing the country’s development priorities and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Working closely with the Government and development partners, UNOPS delivers a range of services—including project management, procurement, and capacity building—to support peacebuilding, expand access to essential services, and strengthen livelihoods. The office plays a vital role in implementing projects that foster resilience and sustainable development, particularly in communities affected by conflict and climate-related challenges. With a strong track record of delivering high-impact, results-driven initiatives, UNOPS continues to contribute to long-term, positive change for the people of Mozambique.

Job Specific Context

Under the supervision of the HR Officer and with guidance from the Support Services Manager, the HR Associate administers and implements diverse HR plans and processes. Serving as the main HR contact, the incumbent delivers timely guidance and support on all HR services. This position is central to enabling effective HR operations, providing advice, and delivering services that empower personnel and strengthen organizational partnerships.

Role Purpose

The HR Associate administers and implements a wide range of HR plans and processes that support Office personnel. Serving as the primary point of contact for internal and external clients, the HR Associate provides timely guidance, information and support on HR procedures, services and initiatives, ensuring consistent and client-focused service delivery.

Functions/ Key Results Expected

Policy Development and Implementation Support

• Collect, maintain, and continuously update data on workforce trends, risks, and opportunities to inform HR policy development and corporate initiatives.
• Support the rollout and implementation of HR strategies and initiatives aligned with corporate objectives.
  Generate workforce data and statistics to support planning, including personnel movement analysis.
• Communicate HR policy updates and new initiatives to management and personnel, offering clarification and guidance where needed.

HR Advice

• Provide guidance on HR systems and processes, including recruitment, contract administration, position management, performance management, and benefits and entitlements in line with UNOPS rules and procedures.
• Offer day-to-day advice to personnel on administrative processes and practices.
• Act as a liaison between HR and internal/ external clients, proactively facilitating access to information and services as authorized.
• Support a positive onboarding experience by ensuring the timely processing of onboarding documentation.
  Advise supervisors and hiring managers on recruitment procedures, performance management, learning initiatives, and approaches to managing underperformance.
• Support institutional gender and diversity efforts by advising on issues of equity, compliance, inclusion, and organizational values.

Talent Acquisition and Administration

• Contribute to all stages of the recruitment and selection process, including requisition creation, longlisting, testing, interviews, reference checks, approvals, offer/rejection communications, and HR system updates.
• Prepare and calculate fees for Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) personnel.
• Advise UNOPS personnel, consultants, partners and project personnel on conditions of service and entitlements based on contract modality, ensuring a smooth and client-focused onboarding process.
• Maintain recruitment plans, rosters and tools to support effective workforce planning and retention.
• Coordinate with the Shared Services Centre (SSC) on personnel administration matters.
• Research policy precedents and support the HR Lead in addressing talent acquisition issues, considering any applicable exceptions.
• Submit transactional HR data in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other HR information systems, covering a range of functions including:
• Recruitment and selection, e.g. requisition initiation, approvals, offers/ rejections, etc.
• Contractual and position actions (e.g. appointments, extensions, separations, reclassifications, etc).
• Ensure completion of HR processes (e.g. absence requests, performance evaluations, etc) by following up with supervisors and supervisees.
• Establish and maintain tracking systems, alerting the HR Lead to pending actions and upcoming deadlines.
• Maintain accurate personnel files and reference records.
• Support or conduct payroll verification activities.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on HR topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from HR project implementation,
• Conduct research on HR-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Skills

• Data Analysis, Human Resources Policies, Human Resources Information Systems, Human Resources Operations.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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 Requirements

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Human Resource Management (HRM) is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in any area of Human Resource Management (HRM).
• Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language (Requirements)

Language – Proficiency Level (Requirement)

• English – Fluent (Required)
• Portuguese – Fluent (Required)

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.