Project Manager (Change Management) P4 – Division of Human Resources, New York HQ – Temporary Appointment

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, an advocate

UNICEF is enhancing its ability to adapt, transform and renew itself in response to the ever-increasing demands and complexity to further increase its efficiency and effectiveness in delivering on its ambitious agenda. In early 2020, the Executive Director requested an organizational improvement exercise to reimagine UNICEF’s current business models with the specific aim of making them fit for purpose as one of the key drivers of accelerated action for children. As a result, the Division of Human Resources (DHR) considered a renewed approach of transforming HR and bringing in more efficiency by reducing its footprints in New York and being closer to clients.

DHR’s future model must support UNICEF’s strategy of becoming an agile and innovative organization. The change offers an opportunity to shape and align the future of work modalities and ongoing improvement initiatives. The move to a new location aims to further positioning the HR function as strategic and closer to the clients. DHR would like to recruit a Project Manager-P4 for one year to support its Change Management process.

The Project Manager will report to the Chief-Analytics & Operations Team with a matrix reporting line to the Director-Division of Human Resources. S/he will also work very closely with the different teams in DHR.

How can you make a difference?

Based in the Project Implementation Team and under the guidance of the Chief, Analytics & Operation Team, the PM will work closely with the Reference Group, Change Management Group and coordinate with the Core Management Team to develop and implement the project plan. S/he will coordinate and liaise with various internal and external stakeholders as required.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the general guidance of the Chief, Analytics & Operations and the matrix supervision of the Director-DHR, the Project Manager will be responsible for managing the change process through overseeing key planning, coordination, communication, and quality assurance throughout the change process.

• Translate the recommendations of the Change Management Team into a Project Plan, outlining a realistic timeline for various activities and project deliverables required to achieve the objectives to drive project implementation.
• Review and incorporate key recommendations from the Office Management Plan, HR mitigation strategy and the Organizational Development strategy.
• Manage consultations with relevant stakeholders along the change journey to ensure their views are taken into account. Analyze and prepare reports of the outcome of such meetings.
• Establish and maintain a monitoring framework to view and update on progress. Ensure flexibility and adapt the project plan based on feedback from internal and external stakeholders. Use data, tools and technology to set up frameworks and advise on best ways to achieve the agreed goals, taking agreed priorities and deliverables into account.
• Formulate agendas and prepare briefing notes and presentations for the Director for key management meetings, townhalls and all staff meetings prioritizing key information and issues to be shared.  Produce minutes of all related meetings, create relevant reports and maintain the repository of all documents and change communications.
• Take the lead on communications to ensure consistency and transparency in messaging to staff and relevant stakeholders being cognizant of sensitive matters.
• As part of the Change Management Team, work with the HR Business Partner to coordinate and communicate project implementation progress, review staff feedback, develop communication strategies and monitor impact of improvements on staff.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor/s.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in Human Resource Management, Organization Development, Business Management, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant HR experience, including communication and engagement in behavioral and cultural change.  Prior experience in project management is an advantage.
• Skilled in Project Management tools and techniques.
• Excellent drafting skills and ability to communicate effectively to varied audiences. Strong presentation skills and innovative thinking.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual and design thinking.
• Ability to work with multiple teams in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.