Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reinforced its presence in Ukraine by signing an agreement with the Government to set up a Project Office that will facilitate and expand the provision of technical and humanitarian assistance to the country’s most vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas.

Ukraine joined FAO in 2003 and since 2015 the Organization has been operating in two strategic directions: emergency humanitarian response in conflict-affected oblasts and agricultural development across the whole country. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, FAO has scaled up its activities in the country to support agricultural production and food systems with the aim of protecting the food security of vulnerable households and communities across Ukraine.

This role is full-time and located in the FAO office at Kyiv.

FAO has a “zero-tolerance” policy towards any form of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and for inaction on SEA by its personnel and by the employees of entities working with or providing services to the Organization across all programmes, projects, and activities.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Project Office in Ukraine, the direct supervision of the International Administrative and HR Specialist, as well as relevant programme, operations and administrative units at FAO Ukraine. Where applicable, technical guidance and oversight will also be provided by relevant units and colleagues in the Regional Office in Budapest and Headquarters in Rome.

Technical Focus

The Human Resources Specialist ensures accurate implementation of FAO policies and procedures and facilitate the effective functioning of a client-focused and strategy-oriented HR & Talent Management services across all field offices of FAO in Ukraine.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Human Resources Specialist is responsible for coordinating and executing administrative tasks related to the recruitment, contract management, personnel servicing, and workforce support of national and international affiliate workforce, in accordance with FAO rules and regulations. Under the supervision of the International Administrative and HR Specialist and in close collaboration with the regional Human Resources Unit, the Human Resources Specialist will perform the following functions within the framework of the Country Office project portfolio:

• Act as a key local HR focal point for managers and personnel, providing guidance on HR policies, procedures, contractual matters, onboarding, separation, and related personnel issues.
• Support continuity of full HR service delivery during periods of supervisor absence, including coordinating and monitoring all HR priorities, ensuring timely follow-up on ongoing matters, providing guidance to stakeholders as appropriate, and representing the unit in meetings and coordination activities, as delegated.
• Coordinate the overall plan for hiring of national and international affiliate workforce.
• Develop and review Terms of Reference and other recruitment-related documentation, ensuring compliance with organizational standards and requirements.
• Coordinate and manage end-to-end hiring processes for national and international affiliate workforce positions within the official corporate tools, from managing the publication of calls to attract candidates, to organize and facilitate the hiring process, through to complete onboarding.
• Organize and facilitate the selection process, including coordinating interviews with the selection panel and preparing reports on evaluated candidates.
• Manage the complete contract lifecycle for affiliate workforce personnel within the internal ERP system, including monitoring renewals, extensions, and separations.
• Maintenance and analysis of staffing data, workforce planning tools, and personnel monitoring systems to support management decision-making
• Ensure HR records and supporting documentation are maintained in a complete, accurate, confidential, and audit-ready manner.
• Support local wellbeing and initiatives that promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Administration, Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Psychology, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related discipline.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in progressively responsible work experience related to human resources management and recruitment and/or delivering support services in human resources.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Ukrainian
• National of Ukraine

FAO Core 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in human resources management, including recruitment, personnel administration, contract management, and HR policy application.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing end-to-end recruitment and selection processes, including candidate sourcing, assessments, interviews, and onboarding, in a large and complex organization.
• Familiarity with HR information systems, databases, personnel tracking tools, and records management practices.

Selection Criteria

• A professional certification in Human Resources is desirable.
• Experience working with UN Agencies / INGOs / International Organization or in an international HR context will be considered an asset
• Experience maintaining HR databases, workforce monitoring tools, and personnel records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience working with HR information systems or ERP platforms is highly desirable.
• Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and work autonomously with minimal supervision
• Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and proactively follow up on actions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION