Human Resources Officer

Organizational Setting
FAO's Human Resources Division (CSH) provides HR strategies, policies, tools, guidance and oversight to FAO Offices worldwide to ensure that the Organization attracts, develops and retains a diverse, skilled and highly motivated workforce, delivering on the mandate of the Organization. Over the next years, the Human Resources Division will focus on developing and implementing a people centered strategy, and positioning HR as a strategic partner contributing to the achievement of the mandate of FAO.

The post is located in the Social Security Branch (CSHS). CSHS coordinates and provides advice and information on pension, social security and insurance schemes and provisions for FAO. It administers the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) on behalf of FAO current and former staff members, investigates requests for recognition of accidents/illnesses as Service-Incurred, administers related compensation benefits and manages medical and other insurance plans offered to FAO staff, consultants and other non-staff and retirees. The Human Resources Officer (Medical Insurance and Wellbeing) will play a critical role in the implementation of the next iteration of FAO's commitment as part of the joint UN system workplace mental health and wellbeing strategy, creating an enabling healthy working environment for all FAO staff members to thrive. The incumbent monitors the day-to-day implementation of HR initiatives contributing to the organizational mental health and wellbeing of its staff members under the supervision of the Senior Human Resources Officer and in close coordination with relevant offices in accordance with FAO specific policy and guidelines. UN system workplace mental health and wellbeing strategy aims to increase the effectiveness of the UN system by optimizing the psychological health of UN staff. The strategy is for all personnel, across diverse roles, contexts, and environments, from field missions to Headquarters. The strategy aims to promote a psychologically healthy and safe workplace that fosters positive culture and enhances staff wellbeing, prevents stigma and discrimination, and contributes to a productive and harmonious working environment. A variety of organization-specific and inter-agency efforts have been made to address psychosocial wellbeing and mental health in the United Nations workplace. FAO, as a UN system specialized agency, continues its efforts to implement the strategy and design its organizational priorities based on the programme of work and the needs of its employees.

The post is located in the Human Resources Division (CSH) at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Human Resources Officer (Medical Insurance and Wellbeing) reports to the Senior Human Resources Officer supervising the Social Security Branch, CSHS.

Technical Focus
Monitors, reviews and coordinates the staff wellbeing HR related initiatives and programme and ensure the cross-cutting programmes are implemented related to the HR policies, procedures, social security benefits and mental health strategy as applicable to FAO workforce. Contributing to HR wellbeing initiatives and productivity enhancement, conducting research and analysis, coordinating emergency response and support, serving as a HR wellbeing focal point, managing communication and outreach efforts, engaging stakeholders, and mobilizing resources.

Key Results
The provision of human resource services to management and staff.

Key Functions

• Plans and delivers services in designated human resource field(s);
• Consults with 'designated business partners' on specific HR requests, issues, and problems, and provides advice, policy interpretations, and options on how to proceed.
• Analyzes requirements and researches and analyzes information, data, statistics, and/or trends for the preparation of plans, strategies, reports, policies and/or other products.
• Reviews on-going service delivery, related policies, procedures, systems to recommend changes, develop proposals, and coordinate updates/revisions.
• Collaborates in the development of information/training materials and products to increase understanding of HR services and policies, promote capacity development and facilitate change across the Organization.
• Researches and provides information to management and staff to resolve problems and/or reach agreement on various issues.
• Leads short-term work groups and participates on Organization-wide committees and working groups.

Specific Functions

• Supports monitoring and coordination of the day-to-day activities of the Human Resources wellbeing initiatives and contributes to the programmes to improve productivity, efficiency and quality of service delivery and contributes to the implementation of new or modified policies, developments, projects and workflows.
• Conducts research into emerging trends, issues and best practices related to human resources staff wellbeing initiatives, cross-cutting social security benefit and entitlement matters within and outside of the UN common system.
• Reviews and updates FAO's administrative framework related to social security and wellbeing, and coordinates HR related functions to support the implementation of organizational staff wellbeing policies.
• Supports the implementation of the FAO Human Resources Personnel Support Plan during emergencies and crises, establishes the Family Focal Points (FFPs) network in FAO regional and decentralized offices, facilitates to capacity building of FFPs, and coordinates the duty of care for critical incident responses from the Human Resources Division.
• Provides practical and technical support for the implementation processes related to human resources social security and staff wellbeing at FAO, including collaboration with partners within the UN common system or external service providers.
• Supports annual HQ FAO wellbeing events in collaboration with the Health Services and co-lead any outreach wellbeing events in FAO regional and country offices.
• Analyzes and assesses escalated complaints pertaining to social security benefit claims with service providers in accordance with the internal administrative framework;' Supports FAO's initiatives derived from inter-agency platforms and working groups.
• Acts as HR focal point for the employee wellbeing related working group or committee and liaises with various stakeholders on system and business process improvement.
• Provides analytical support to various committees and corporate initiatives on issues related to staff wellbeing;' Supports various HR teams in implementing the mental health and wellbeing strategy.
• Monitors processes, conducts periodic external evaluations, and contributes to the development of new tools and learning resources.
• Supports the oversight of projects, including communication and knowledge sharing initiatives (such as newsletters, social media presence, digital content development, case study development, etc.).
• Supports outreach initiatives communication and awareness of social security-related tasks functions across the organization and in collaboration with other internal stakeholders or UN agencies.
• Supports the Senior HR Officer in engaging the necessary leadership support, champions, and partners to maintain momentum for successful HR initiatives regarding the implementation of the employee wellbeing strategy. This includes securing the necessary resources to address any constraints encountered during the programme implementation.
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Law and Finance or other related fields
• Five years of relevant experience in administration, legal or human resources management, including relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: staff wellbeing, programme management, HR entitlement and benefits, HR communication and outreach, medical insurance or HR social security related matters.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships.
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, and particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in staff wellbeing, programme management, HR entitlement and benefits, HR communication and outreach, medical insurance or HR social security related matters.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the application of programme management at the international level is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in project management of system change/improvement programs is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting clearly and concisely reports and policy papers.
• An HR professional certification is considered an asset.

Job Posting
05/Jan/2026

Closure Date
27/Jan/2026, 12:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit
CSH

Job Type
Staff position

Type of Requisition
Professional Project

Grade Level
P-3

Primary Location
Italy-Rome

Duration
Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number
2010886

CCOG Code
1A06

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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