Chief, Human Resources Policies Division

About the role

This senior position is based in the secretariat of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the independent expert body that regulates conditions of service for United Nations common system staff. Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the incumbent leads the Human Resources Policies Division, shaping system‑wide HR policies on planning, recruitment, mobility, career development, performance management, work‑life balance, job evaluation, conduct standards, gender equity and field entitlements.

Key responsibilities

• Direct the division’s work programme, set priorities, allocate resources and approve technical outputs before submission to the Commission.
• Commission and oversee studies to develop system‑wide HR policies, adapting best practices from public and private international sectors.
• Manage the mobility/hardship scheme, including annual hardship classification, danger‑pay, non‑family duty stations and rest‑recuperation frameworks.
• Formulate policy recommendations and provide authoritative advice to the Commission and the General Assembly, especially where organizational positions diverge.
• Monitor and guide implementation of approved policies across United Nations common‑system organizations.
• Lead the development, testing and review of common‑system job‑evaluation standards and associated manuals, and provide advisory and training support.
• Maintain ongoing liaison with common‑system organizations and other secretariat divisions.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in human resources, public or business administration, or a related field; a bachelor’s degree with additional experience may be considered.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in HR management or policy development within the United Nations common system or a comparable international organization, including senior‑level leadership, staff management and multicultural teamwork.

Required skills

• Qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Data analysis and interpretation