*The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Human Resources Officer in the Operations and Management Directorate. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.*
Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are renowned for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.
The role – the Human Resources Officer will be responsible for providing timely, high quality and customer-focused advice, support and services across a broad spectrum of HR needs including HR operations, change management, policy advice and HR projects.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Delivery of HR Services
• Under the supervision of the HR Adviser, advise, coach and support managers to manage their staff and take responsibility for people issues including performance and disciplinary matters;
• With support from the HR Adviser, provide accurate and consistent HR advice to managers across all HR policies and processes, including: performance management, employment relations, change management, and interpretation of employment agreements and policies;
• Develop, promote and embed HR policies and practices;
• Provides orientation to new managers and ongoing training on HR systems and processes.
HR Operations
• Provide customer service to employees;
• Administer employee contracts and employment certificates;
• Maintain employee records as per existing guidelines;
• Administer visa requirements and act as a liaison with the relevant authorities (High-Commission, Embassies);
• Ensure staff members are aware of their host country requirements and laws and comply with them at all times.
Support in the management of HR Projects
• Assist the senior HR team in the implementation and management of SPC wide HR projects;
• Provide administration for the project processes including update and maintenance of project documentation, arrange project meetings and produce minutes, and issue project communications;
• Contribute to the design, implementation and ongoing management of relevant projects across the HR team;
• Participate in the preparation of communication to managers, employees and HR.
Policy and Process Development
• Contribute to the updating and publishing of HR forms, templates, best practice process and guidelines to be accessible for managers;
• Assist with the development, review and implementation of HR policy, tools and best practice guidelines;
• Identify and implement system and process improvements to support the ongoing delivery of HR advice and support to managers.
Team effectiveness
• Contribute to a positive team culture that enables high performance of the HR team;
• Practice a continuous improvement approach by reviewing own work methods and maintaining a positive approach to solving problems/issues;
• Contribute to the efficient delivery of HR support, being flexible, adaptable and operating as a team, undertaking work in other areas where necessary to assist.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• Degree in HR Management, Industrial relations, or a related discipline.
2. Technical expertise
• 5 years of relevant experience, ideally in an international setting and large structure;
• High level of professional integrity, ethics, and reliability;
• Outstanding organizational and time-management abilities and attention to detail;
• Computer literate, especially with MS Office with demonstrated relevant work experience with a Human Resources Information System;
• Active promotion for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
3. Language skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications and people skills for effective communication in English and in French.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness;
• Strong customer service skills;
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – the Human Resources Officer is a band 8 in SPC’s 2020 salary scale; starting salary range of range 2,850–3,467 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 419,768–510,535 (USD 3,933–4,784; EUR 3,518–4,278). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.**Recruitment principles** – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 10 January 2021 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time.
Job Reference: AL000348
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
· an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
· a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
· responses to all screening questions
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.
Screening questions:
Please list any HR tool that you have previously used and tell us about each of them. Which one did you prefer using and why?
Describe a change that you had to contribute to or implement in your current or previous organization. What was your role and the challenges faced, if any? Please also share any lesson learnt from the experience.
Tell us about your experience in conducting training on either HR systems or HR policies/procedures? How would you describe your communication style?