HR Officer - Process Optimization

Host entity: UNICEF

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Human resources, Communication, advocacy, public information, Information technology and telecommunications

Application deadline: 25/10/2026

Mission and objectives

At the heart of UNICEF's work is the program countries. Each office works in line with UNICEF's mission as part of a specific program of cooperation with local governments. Their work is based on a five-year plan based on a situation analysis and is provided with technical assistance by the regional offices. UNICEF's work is part of other UN activities in the country.

Assignment context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

UNICEF’s Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) provides services to UNICEF offices around the world in the areas of Finance, Master Data Management, Human Resources Administration, Payroll, and IT Customer Care. Our mission is to be a Centre of Excellence for the global delivery of efficient services within a culture of customer service, continuous business improvement, knowledge-sharing and innovation to support the effective achievement of UNICEF's program results worldwide. New services of Recruitment Administration Services - RAS and Individual Consultant Services - ICS, and Travel have been added in 2026. Payroll & Offboarding were restructured and further streamlining and integration are in progress.

Assignment context and brief context of the project: RAS and ICS have successfully completed initial implementation and are now entering a critical phase where service stabilization, standardization, and optimization are required. International Travel is continuing to refine and scale the business model. Payroll & Offboarding (Offboarding) has identified essential streamlining and customer-experience lessons from the UNICEF Future Focused Initiative (FFI) process. While core service delivery capabilities are now in place, targeted investment is needed to rapidly strengthen service design, improve client experience, enhance operational efficiency, and embed industry-leading practices.
This initiative proposes a time-bound GSSC investment in dedicated implementation capacity to accelerate service maturity and deliver tangible improvements to service quality, productivity, client satisfaction, and business outcomes. Resources will be embedded within service teams and focused on delivering practical improvements, operational solutions, and sustainable capabilities.

Objective of the project: to accelerate the maturation of new services through dedicated delivery-oriented resources that will:
• Stabilize and optimize service operations.
• Improve client experience and service quality.
• Strengthen standardization, automation, and process performance.
• Identify and implement industry best practices and service management disciplines.
• Build sustainable capabilities that can be maintained following project completion.
• Generate measurable business value through enhanced efficiency, effectiveness, and user satisfaction.

Approach: the project will establish a coordinated 'sprint team' steered by Business Performance and Modernization (BPM) while embedding dedicated resources within priority service areas. Each resource will report to the relevant service line and will be accountable for implementing specific service improvements, business processes, tools, standards, and client-facing enhancements.

Task description

The Human Resources Officer will support the stabilization, optimization and continuous improvement of Recruitment Administrative Services (RAS) within UNICEF GSSC. The role will contribute to operational improvements, process simplification, workflow optimization, service analytics, knowledge management, automation opportunities, and client experience enhancements, with the aim of strengthening service quality, operational efficiency, consistency, and sustainability across recruitment administration services.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks
Under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Manager, the Human Resources Officer will support the RAS team in strengthening and optimizing end-to-end recruitment administration processes and related service improvements. Key responsibilities will include:
• Support the review, documentation, and simplification of end-to-end recruitment administration processes, including identification of process gaps, bottlenecks, recurring issues, risks, and opportunities for greater efficiency and standardization.
• Contribute to workflow optimization by reviewing existing ways of working, identifying opportunities to reduce manual steps and improve hand-offs, and supporting the design and implementation of practical process improvements.
• Contribute to the development, update, and maintenance of standard operating procedures, process maps, knowledge articles, checklists, templates, and other knowledge management materials to promote consistency, accessibility, and sustainability of RAS operations.
• Support service analytics and performance monitoring by compiling, reviewing and analysing recruitment administration data, case volumes, turnaround times, service levels, productivity, recurring issues and client feedback; contribute to the development and maintenance of dashboards and monitoring tools to identify trends and inform service improvements and decision-making.
• Coordinate and support client feedback and continuous improvement mechanisms, including periodic surveys and other feedback channels, to assess client experience, identify recurring pain points and translate findings into practical service enhancements.
• Identify and support opportunities for automation and system-related enhancements, including documenting business requirements, supporting testing and validation of proposed solutions, coordinating inputs, and following up on implementation with relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in reviewing and improving client-facing guidance, communications, tools, and other service touchpoints to strengthen clarity, accessibility, and the overall client experience throughout the recruitment administration process.
• Collaborate with RAS colleagues, other GSSC service teams, Business Performance and Modernization, HR colleagues, and relevant technical stakeholders to implement and embed practical improvements that strengthen service quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction.
• Coordinate and support the monitoring and implementation of agreed service improvement initiatives by preparing progress updates, action trackers, dashboards, meeting materials, and other coordination tools, contributing to measurable and sustainable improvements in RAS operations.
• Support knowledge transfer and capacity building within RAS by documenting implemented improvements, sharing good practices and developing guidance and learning materials to ensure that improved processes and ways of working can be sustained beyond the project period.

Skills and experience

• Professional experience in human resources, service delivery, business operations, process improvement, client support, administration, or project coordination is required. Relevant experience supporting process documentation, standard operating procedures, client guidance materials, data analysis, workflow improvements, knowledge management, or service performance monitoring is highly desirable. Experience in a UN organization, shared services environment, or international/multicultural setting is an asset.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge:
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Share Point and webpage management;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Digital Dexterity

Competencies and values

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Living conditions

Budapest, Hungary offers a safe, welcoming, and vibrant living environment for staff at UNICEF GSSC. The city is well-connected with major European and international destinations via regular air travel. It enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Accommodation is widely available and varies in style and cost, with modern utilities, reliable electricity, and clean water. The cost of living is moderate, and there is a wide range of food and entertainment options. High-quality healthcare, banking, and communications infrastructure are readily accessible. Working at GSSC offers a rewarding experience in a culturally rich setting, requiring adaptability and a global mindset.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 3118.83
Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 3500
Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): USD 225
Family allowance: $250 per month for one dependent. $450 per month for two or more dependents
Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements:
Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
Uncertified sick leave: 7 days for 12 months and 4 days for shorter assignments
Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months (shorter assignments are prorated)
Maternity Leave: 16 weeks / Paternity Leave: 4 weeks
For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.