Senior Human Resources Officer

Organizational Setting The FAO Human Resources Division (CSH) serves as an enabler for the delivery of objectives set out in the Organization's Strategic Framework. As a strategic partner, it engages with stakeholders to foster a culture of inclusivity, innovation and continuous development, whilst empowering all employees to contribute their best towards achieving a world free of hunger and malnutrition. The HR Division's mission is to attract, develop and retain a diverse and highly skilled workforce by providing equitable opportunities and a supportive environment that enables employees to excel as well as foster collaboration and excellence to advance FAO's mandate. The Social Security and Wellbeing Branch (CSHS) administers and optimizes medical and life insurance schemes; manages staff compensation plan for service-incurred incidents; oversees pension and after-service medical coverage services. This role champions staff well-being and welfare by collaborating across the Organization to foster a respectful, healthy, safe and inclusive workplace where personnel feel engaged, valued and have a strong sense of belonging. The Branch focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the social security operations, emphasizing the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of FAO staff as a top priority. The position is located in the Social Security and Wellbeing Branch (CSHS) of the Human Resources Division (CSH) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Reporting Lines The Senior Human Resources Officer (Social Security and Wellbeing) reports to the Deputy Director, Human Resources Division, under the overall guidance of the Director, Human Resources Division. Technical Focus Implementation of HR policies, rules and regulations as well as standards related to social security, pension, medical and life insurance schemes and staff wellbeing. Key Results Planning, management and delivery of multidisciplinary human resources (HR) programmes and related policies, products, services and advice to support the effective management of the FAO workforce. Key Functions
• Leads HR multidisciplinary team(s), leads and/or participates on cross-divisional teams/committees, leads and/or participates on organization-wide committees and represents FAO at inter-agency meetings.
• Analyses HR strategic/business/service objectives, HR reform priorities and the latest trends in human resources management to provide critical input into HR plans and strategies, HR functional stream work plans and priorities as well as the supporting operational, policy, system, tools and reporting frameworks.
• Supervises staff, oversees the delivery of multi-disciplinary HR programmes, policies, products and services and prepares a variety of plans, strategies, reports and proposals.
• Provides HR advice and expertise to managers across the Organization as well as promotes a stronger 'business partner approach' for more effective workforce management.
• Promotes and pilots new HR concepts and initiatives, manages related projects and consultants, and plays a lead role in the implementation process.
• Plans and develops consultation/communication/information/training programmes and products to promote understanding of HR programmes, services and policies, increased capacity development and facilitate the introduction of 'Change' across the Organization.
• Represents the Organization in formal meetings, negotiations and/or mediation/problem resolution meetings to reach agreement on various HR issues and/or to resolve difficult or contentious problems.
• Reviews and monitors HR services to identify trends and problem areas and recommend corrective action or new approaches. Specific Functions
• Interprets and applies FAO rules and regulations as well as policies and procedures governing human resources management, in relation to the area of social security.
• Supervises FAO's social security services, acts as Secretary of the FAO/WFP Staff Pension Committee (SPC), the Advisory Committee on Compensation Claims (ACCC) as well as the FAO Advisory Committee on Medical Coverage (FACMC) and coordinates submissions to these Bodies, including coordination with staff representative bodies and members.
• Ensures effective collaboration with the Rome-based agencies in HR matters, particularly in the area of social security.
• Liaises with the Shared Services Centre (SSC) in Budapest to ensure appropriate coordination of payroll and processing activities related to social security.
• Advises management and supports the proactive and systematic implementation of corporate HR policies and programmes.
• Manages and oversees the implementation of system-wide HR initiatives in FAO, developing related reports and documentation and contributes to follow
- up actions deriving from FAO's participation in the HR network.
• Liaises with the Office of the Legal Counsel regarding jurisprudence on service-incurred incidents; including corresponding with Third Party insurance companies and legal counsels of claimants in third party cases.
• Leads the processes of tendering, analysing bids and negotiating arrangements related to social security benefits.
• Manages and oversees the implementation of the medical insurance contracts with third party firms/entities.
• Monitors and analyses trends, costs, utilization patterns, service performance and emerging risks in social security, medical insurance and workforce wellbeing, and develops evidence-based recommendations for prevention, programme improvement and management decision-making.
• Supports the development and implementation of HR-related workforce wellbeing initiatives, promoting preventive approaches and a healthy workplace culture in coordination with relevant internal stakeholders.
• Prepares related reports and documentation, addresses and coordinates complex related queries and issues.
• Performs other duties as requested. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in human resources, management, law, finance and accounting, business administration, organizational development, industrial psychology or a related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in human resources management and administration, including experience in social security, pension, medical and life insurance schemes.
• 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
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
• Work experience across different functional areas of social security and employee benefits.
• Extent and relevance of experience in human resources management and administration, including experience in social security, pension, medical and life insurance schemes and related HR employee benefit schemes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the interpretation and application of human resources policies, rules and procedures, including the handling of complex and sensitive HR matters, in the area of social security.
• Good knowledge and experience in human resources management, including social security, in the United Nations common system is considered a strong asset and/or other international organizations, private sector or national government system.
• Extent and relevance of experience in workforce wellbeing, including preventive approaches, employee wellbeing programmes and the use of workforce or benefits data to inform organizational interventions.
• Extent and relevance of experience with computerized HR systems and their application to HR administration, service delivery and reporting.
• An HR professional certification is considered an asset.