HR Policy Consultant Roster

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Bureau of Human Resources Management (HRM)

Duty Station : Paris

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC±0 (UTC) Time) : 31/12/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW

UNESCO is seeking qualified candidates to constitute a roster for middle level international consultants to contribute to human resources policy research, analysis and drafting. The individual consultants will have the opportunity to work towards strengthening human resources governance across the Organization and supporting UNESCO’s mission with enhanced human resources compliance, coherence, accountability and operational efficiency.

Long Description

The Human Resources (HR) Policy Development and Coordination is a specialized team within the Bureau of Human Resources Management that provides advice to UNESCO globally on the design and interpretation of HR policies, develops new or revised HR policies in collaboration with policy owners and coordinates consultative processes with interest groups, stakeholders, consultative bodies and staff associations.

The HR Policy Team has regular interactions with other teams in the Bureau of Human Resources Management and other Corporate Services, Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Institutes at UNESCO, Staff Associations, and the Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs. The HR Policy Team also interacts with the CEB, counterparts in other organizations of the UN Common System, the Human Resources Policy Community of Practice and the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

ASSIGNMENTS

Individual consultants retained on the roster may be contracted on a temporary, assignment-based basis to deliver specific outputs within an agreed scope of work and timeframe. Assignment periods may range from one to eleven months, on a part-time or full-time basis, on a deliverable-based manner, undertaken remotely and focusing mostly on policy benchmarking, research, analysis and drafting.

Consultant assignments would include, but would not be limited, to:

Long Description

• Carry out HR policy research, analysis and benchmarking, identify gaps and inconsistencies, work collaboratively with policy owners and interest groups and prepare proposals, recommendations and reports. 
• Develop HR policy revisions, technical proposals on HR policies, guidelines, procedures and toolkits to meet UNESCO's evolving operational needs.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data and lessons learnt to inform policy making and draft findings and recommendations. Participate in HR policy consultations with interest groups, consultative bodies and staff associations.
• Develop capacity-building, change management, awareness-raising and communication materials, guidance and toolkits to support the effective implementation of new policies and HR initiatives. Translate complex policy and change provisions into clear, accessible learning and communication products tailored to diverse audiences.
• Provide guidance on interpretation and application of human resources policies, regulations, rules administrative issuances drawing on applicable legal framework, established practice and precedents. Conduct policy and legal analysis of individual cases, requests, and human resources matters, and formulate reasoned recommendations for decision-making. Review and assess requests for exceptions, derogations, extensions, and other human resources measures to determine their compliance with the applicable regulatory framework. 
• Other assignments may occasionally include conduct of extensive legal research and provision of detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence; provision of legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions; drafting, review and advice on legal documents and correspondence.

CONTRACT DURATION

1 to 11 months, for a contract at any one time, on a full-time or part-time basis.

Long Description

Work may be conducted remotely - no requirement to relocate for these individual consultant assignments.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business or public administration, law or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with minimum two additional years of HR Policy-related professional experience on full-time basis may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, policy development, administration of entitlements and benefits, conditions of service and compensation or related area.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Experience in the development of human resources policy for international organizations is required.
• Experience in the application and interpretation of staff rules and in researching human resources related issues in international organizations is required.
• Experience in administrative law or administration of justice, or relevant field, would be an asset. 

LANGUAGES

English and French are the working languages of the UNESCO Secretariat. For this call for applications, English proficiency, both oral and in writing, with highly developed drafting and analytical skills in English is required. Knowledge of French is highly desirable.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are kindly invited to submit their applications through the UNESCO Careers website, and should click on “Apply Now”, complete and download the Employment History form (PDF format) under the section "Employment History Form / My Documents".

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.