UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Love

Why working for UNICEF video 

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF Country Office in Romania is implementing Country Programme 2023-2027, focusing on three key priority outcomes:

1.  By 2027, increased political and fiscal space, created through advocacy and strategic partnerships with children, public and private sector, and civil society, resulted in increased investments in evidence-based policies, programmes and budgets for child rights and social inclusion;

2. By 2027, all boys and girls have access to quality integrated health, early childhood and education services, and families are resilient and empowered to demand quality services in an inclusive care environment.

3. By 2027, all children, especially the most vulnerable (with disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, with disabilities, from Roma communities), are safe and better protected from separation, violence, abuse, discrimination, and neglect.

For more information on UNICEF Romania please see https://www.unicef.org/romania/ro

Job organizational context:

The Human Resources Officer will provide leadership and guidance to HR unit and critical and high-quality HR services and support to a senior management, managers, and colleagues in Romania CO.

The Human Resources unit provides HR support and services to UNICEF Romania CO staff, senior management and managers. This position offers a rewarding opportunity for a qualified HR professional to contribute to the overall delivering results for children in Romania in a challenging and complex operating environment. Romania CO underwent significant changes in the last two years, following the onset of war in Ukraine, when the office tripled in size and operated in L3/L2 emergency context for protracted period. This was followed by the rightsizing process that affected number of staff and personnel and is still in progress.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Business Partnering

– Through research of policies and analysis of data, provide support to the HR Business Partner in advising their clients on HR-related needs and developing subsequent plans of action. Provide accurate and timely advice to clients on HR processes and policies, ensuring the highest level of client-orientation.

– Proactively advise clients on the resolution of human resources issues ensuring equitable and transparent solutions that protects both the staff and organizations interests in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures.

– Promote the organizational goals and targets for gender equity and cultural diversity.

2. Strategic Human Resources

– Liaise with the HQ Divisions, regional and country offices to support and contribute to corporate HR strategy formulation and global implementation.

– Provide feedback and make recommendations on the establishment and improvement of HR systems, policies and processes.

– Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting edge practices in HR management and contribute to the development of global policies, procedures and introduce innovation through sharing of best practices and knowledge learned.

3. Support to Implementation of assigned Human Resources Services

– Provide support to various or one specific HR occupation (recruitment, job classification, career development, performance management, data analytics, learning & development etc.) to help their supervisors in implementing efficient client services that help either attract, retain and/or motivate staff of the highest caliber.

– When assigned casework in the relevant area on either a routine or non-routine basis, analyze and synthesize issues and problems, and interpret established, formal guidelines to address and recommend solutions or further actions required.

4. Learning and Capacity Development

– In collaboration with business owners, support the design and delivery of learning plans for staff.

– Contribute to the mapping of competencies for all staff included in the assigned client portfolio, assisting in the development of a comprehensive framework in support of the development of the talent pipeline.

– Research on efficient and cost-effective learning products which enable staff to develop their skills and competencies.

– Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

– Provide orientation briefing to new staff.

5. HR Data Analytics

– Collect, interpret and analyze HR data to help inform decision making on HR processes and strategies.

– Support the development and implementation of data collection systems to optimize data quality.

– Coordinate with country offices and partners to provide assistance in their HR information management.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• A University Degree in human resource management, business management, international relations, psychology or another related field is required
• Two years of professional experience in human resource management in an international organization and/or large corporation is required
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset
• Experience in promoting, leading and coordinating well-being activities and advancing cultural change agenda is considered as asset
• Experience in performing in change management and/or emergency context is considered as asset

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female and male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.