Human Resources Consultant -Employment, career opportunity in USA

Job Title:  Human Resources Consultant
Organization:  UN Children's Fund
Country: United States of America
Deadline:  04 Oct 2013

HR Consultant, Performance Management Unit, DHR
16 October 2013 – 31 December 2013

Background

As part of its talent management strategy, UNICEF has embarked on the development and launch of a revised approach to performance management. In this context, a number of initiatives are being put in place to strengthen managers’ and staff ability to conduct effective performance conversations, and contribute to move the organization towards a more open and feedback oriented performance management culture.

As a first step, UNICEF has introduced a new performance management system based on best practices in the UN. The system, called e-PAS, has been piloted in 2010 and 2011 for all IP staff. As recommended by the June 2011 GMT, e-PAS will continue to be used by all International Professionals holding permanent, continuing and fixed term contracts during 2012/13. It is expected that the system is expanded to all groups of staff in the future. Meanwhile, all other UNICEF staff have started to use a revised paper-based PER form aligned with the e-PAS format and approach.

UNICEF recognizes that its challenges in performance management will not be answered by a new performance management system and forms alone. Equally important, is a realistic Change Management that requires continued support to all staff on application of performance management guidelines as aligned with the new approach (ongoing); training to both staff and to HR practitioners (on effective performance management soft skills (ongoing); as well as piloting of additional corporate programs i.e. performance coaching, to link performance management to staff development and growth (ongoing).

To this end, this TOR proposes to create a new contract between October and end December 2013 for a consultant to facilitate the Managing Performance for Results program which focuses on increasing staff and managers’ capacity to conduct effective performance discussions and quality assessment to impact results. The Managing Performance for Results program includes customized training for staff acting as supervisors as well as staff acting as supervisees. In the 2-day supervisor training, managers have the opportunity to reflect on what performance management is, realize how they can have an active role in it, and practice effective performance planning with reference to real supervisees. The supervisor training also includes practical models on how to provide effective feedback and how to assess performance as well as an introduction to coaching conversations. All modules are based on real situations and are fully practical. The 1-day supervisee training focuses on the same skills as the supervisor training but from the viewpoint of the supervisee. Additional practice includes peer and upwards communication and how to create meaningful performance assessment reports.

Details of the Consultancy

Title: HR Consultant
Section: Performance Management Unit (PM), DHR
Level: $500 daily rate
Duration: 16 October 2013 – 31 December 2013 (for up to 15 working days in this period)
Type of Contract: Individual SSA
Supervisor(s): Elena Dominguez, Human Resources Manager, PM, DHR
Location: UNICEF NYHQ, office-based consultancy. No travel applies.

Tasks and Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Human Resource manager, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Deliver the performance management soft skills training to supervisees and supervisors at NYHQ. Based on specific needs as proactively expressed by participants, optionally Conduct one-on-one follow-up sessions after the Manager and Staff Programs.

Deliverables

The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

• Continue to deliver the performance management soft skills training to supervisees and supervisors at NYHQ
• Conduct optional on-going one-on-one follow-up sessions with participants in the Manager and Staff Program based on active request from participants.

Qualifications and requirements

•     Advanced university degree in Human Resources, Education, social development or a relevant field.
•     Proven knowledge and skills in instruction and instructional design as applied to adult learning.
•     Knowledge of UNICEF context essential
•     Knowledge of UN common practices in HR an added advantage
•     Coaching background an asset.
•     Strong analytical, planning, communication, and writing skills
•     Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute training programs as well as transfer knowledge and skills
•     Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in multicultural environment
•     Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills

How to apply:

Applications
Interested and qualified candidates should send a detailed and up-to-date CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining their interest in and suitability for this position, to: mbarnett@unicef.org (email subject “Application HR Consultant”) by 4 October 2013.