Human Resources Officer (Policy) P4, Rome, Italy

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 April 2025-23:59-GMT 01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. 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, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT HR OFFICER (POLICY) AT WFP:

This position is based at Headquarters (HQ) and reports directly to the Chief, HR Policy & Compliance, and functions under the overall guidance of the HR Director.

THE ROLE:

To lead and provide strategic guidance and technical expertise on HR policy matters, ensuring alignment with WFP’s HR strategic objectives, international best practices, and coherence between HR policies and broader strategic initiatives within WFP and the UN Common System. To provide authoritative interpretation and advice on HR policies, contribute to inter-agency discussions, support policy implementation, and drive innovative solutions in HR management.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Work in close cooperation with HR teams in Global Headquarters and Country Offices; review, develop and revise policies. Provide expert advice on feasibility, soundness, legality and compatibility with existing rules and guidelines and potential impact on other functional areas across the Organization.
• Support the Chief of Policy to establish clear priorities for HR policy development and ensure coherence among HR policies and alignment with strategic priorities and initiatives taking place within the Organization and the UN Common system.
• Provide authoritative interpretation and guidance on the application of WFP’s HR policies and practices and the FAO Staff Rules and Regulations to HR senior management, managers and staff on the basis of formal rules and guidelines, exceptions and precedents, rulings and opinions of the Legal Division.
• Ensure compliance with WFP’s HR policies, FAO Staff Rules, and UN system-wide HR frameworks. Monitor the application of HR policies to identify potential risks, inconsistencies and gaps, and take proactive measures to address them. Assess the overall effectiveness of new or revised policies at regular intervals.
• Provide advice and support to the Office of the Director of Human Resources on HR and management policies within the context of WFP’s HR strategy, the UN General Assembly decisions, the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) recommendations and decisions, as well as internal reform efforts.
• Consult with HR teams across WFP to ensure the harmonization of policies and practices, particularly when adapting policies to local contexts in Country Offices and Regional Offices to maintain uniformity across the organization.
• Facilitate consultations with various stakeholders, including staff representative bodies, functional area and senior management, to gather input, address concerns, and ensure HR policies reflect diverse perspectives while aligning with WFP’s strategic priorities.
• Develop innovative HR solutions tailored to WFP’s unique needs incorporating best practices and addressing the diverse requirements of stakeholders across Country Offices, Regional Offices, and functional areas.
• Develop recommendations for policy adjustments based on data insights, workforce analysis, and internal/external benchmarks, ensuring alignment with WFP’s strategic goals and emerging HR challenges.
• Prepare position papers on HR issues for discussions or presentation at interagency platforms such as the HR Network & ICSC. Represent WFP HR in internal working groups and task forces reviewing HR policies and their linkages to other functional areas.
• Support the effective rollout and implementation of new or revised HR policies by leading and participating in HR policy briefings, communication initiatives, and awareness-raising activities, including visits to HR teams in the Regional and Country Office HR teams.
• Facilitate capacity-building workshops to improve the skills of HR teams in policy interpretation, implementation, and compliance, ensuring consistency in policy application across various regions.
• Build networks and engage with HR counterparts in other UN agencies to exchange experiences, share best practices and enhance inter-agency collaboration.
• Other responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Advanced university degree in Human Resource Management, Public or Business Administration, law, or a related social or behavioural science field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience or trainings/courses.

Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible postgraduate experience in human resource management, at least three years of which should have been in the area of HR Policy development.

• Excellent knowledge of policy development and experience in implementation of new and/or redeveloped policies in a large UN agency.
• Operational UN Common System HR experience in a country-specific or regional setting.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to develop clear goals aligned with agreed strategies and adjust plans and actions as needed.
• Ability to develop creative strategies and express ideas clearly.
• Strong skills in building collaborative internal and external relationships.
• Ability to negotiate and make decisions on complex, sensitive issues.
• High motivation, initiative, and analytical problem-solving skills.

MORE ABOUT YOU:

You have:

• Sound theoretical understanding of HR concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques and processes and specialised knowledge in a specific area.
• Proven ability to manage small, specialized teams, with a focus on coaching and mentoring team members to support their development.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to persuade, influence, and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to design, develop, manage, and implement HR policies, procedures, and new programs.
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills.
• Business acumen, project management skills, and commercial understanding.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.

Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION:

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified