Director - Human Resources Division

Reference: 110900352
Location: London, UK
Closing Date: 24 Oct 2011

The Human Resources Division is being established as an upgraded institutional unit in the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Division is to be led by a Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary-General. The Director is the principal technical adviser to senior management and the wider Secretariat on all Human Resources matters.

The Division supports the translation of Commonwealth ideals into human resource policies and practices by providing technical services, expert advice and other support that links people, strategy and performance within the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Division continuously seeks to align the Secretariat’s staff establishment and pool of expertise with its mission, capabilities and changing mandates in order to support senior management in ensuring that the Secretariat carries out its functions effectively and efficiently and to the high standards expected by Commonwealth member governments. The Division develops and implements Human Resources management policies, procedures and practices suitable for a modern and high performing international organisation, taking into account organisational needs, staff aspirations, good employer practices, and international administrative law. As the central authority on matters relating to the management of Human Resources, the Division is mandated by the Secretariat to function as a policy adviser, supporter of change management, employee advocate, ensuring good employment practice including employee relations.

The Division is responsible among others, for leading in the development and delivery of the following:

• Human Resources management including development and implementation of an overarching strategy and information systems.
• Human Resources policy, including regular review and co-ordination of its implementation.
• Human Resources administration including terms and conditions of service as well as contract administration for staff positions at the Secretariat’s headquarters in London; the Joint Commonwealth Office in New York; the Commonwealth Youth Programme regional centres; and, consultants and long-term experts.
• Performance management, staff development and training.
• Human Resource planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Employee relations.
• Support for implementation of change management.

The Human Resources function is being upgraded and restructured on a model of a Division that provides for the above through centres of excellence that are customised to the Secretariat’s organisational character and needs.

The paramount consideration in the delivery of Human Resources services is the need to continuously support the Secretariat to deliver the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, competence, integrity, professionalism and responsiveness in its work, with due regard to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible within the Commonwealth, and taking into account gender balance.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Secretary-General, the Director Human Resources is the principal adviser to the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretaries-General, Assistant Secretary-General and other members of senior management and staff, on Human Resources matters. The role supports the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat by leading on the development and implementation of effective, responsive and efficient human resource strategies, policies and management systems that are aligned to organisational needs and best practice.

The Director is a member of the Senior Management Group, Corporate Services Committee and the Strategic Human Resources Committee, in the capacity of a strategic institutional partner, policy advisor, employee advocate and a supporter of change management and performance improvement. The Director may also be called upon to participate in meetings of the Secretariat’s Management Committee and other governing bodies as required.

The Director is responsible for overseeing Human Resources planning (including rotation planning, recruitment and selection, learning and development and exit management), performance management, reward management, and employee relations. The Director promotes a responsive work environment in which employee engagement, growth, development and productivity is optimised through appropriate organisational culture, people philosophy and values, diversity management, equal opportunities, terms and conditions of service, consistent policy interpretation and application, staff management/relations, team work and regular Human Resources administrative reviews to ensure continuing responsiveness of the Secretariat’s Human Resources management practices to the dynamism of the Secretariat’s operating environment and changing mandates.

The Director oversees Human Resources management for the Secretariat’s headquarters in London, Commonwealth Youth Programme regional centres in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific, as well as the Joint Office to the United Nations in New York and the Small States Office in Geneva, including the process for the engagement of consultants and experts under the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.

The Director is accountable for leading a team of professionals and administrative support staff, and for the effective management of the Division.

The Director works in close partnership with fellow Directors and other senior management in order to support achievement of the Secretariat’s wider goals as well as delivery of the Division’s objectives and annual workplan.

The Division itself is in the process of being established as an upgraded institutional unit within the Secretariat, building on the current Human Resources Section, which is envisaged to require the recruitment and supervision of more senior personnel as well as a stronger focus on the provision in-house of professional policy and services including a structure based on centres of excellence. Thus, the Director is required to lead and deliver a successful change process that, within resource limitations, takes the Human Resources function to a higher level of profile and performance within the Secretariat. Thereafter, the Director will have a strong leadership and management role to ensure that the Division delivers consistently at the upgraded level.

In order to strengthen in-house capacity, the Director will be expected in particular to play a collaborative and strategic role in the review, development and delivery of an overarching Human Resources management strategy. This includes the development and delivery of improved performance and reward management policies; an enhanced contribution on the Human Resource aspects of organisational design and strategic planning; and, enhanced input to change management including Secretariat staff retention and rotation. The Director will also be expected to make substantive contributions, as well as leading others in the development, implementation and review of policies that reflect best contemporary international practice.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as the Human Resources advisor and strategic partner of the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretaries-General, Assistant Secretary General and Directors, in order to provide strategic and technical advice on Human Resources matters and in order to contribute at the level of Director within the organisation to overall management of the Secretariat’s activities and operations.
• Design, implement and continuously review an overarching Human Resources management strategy, aligned with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, in order to contribute towards promoting the Secretariat’s core values and ensuring that the roles of individual employees are aligned to the overall strategic objectives, vision and mission of the organisation.
• Develop a comprehensive Human Resource planning system aligned with the programme planning and budgeting cycles, and oversee the provision of support to other Divisions in their Human Resource planning, resourcing and deployment.
• Monitor, revise, and lead on institutionalising Human Resources policies, philosophy, values and practices that embrace and drive the Secretariat’s core values and objectives.
• Review, develop and deliver human resource policies that reflect best contemporary international practice.
• Develop and lead implementation of qualitatively enhanced performance measurement and management systems, including initiating policies to strengthen performance management, talent management and training, and reward management.
• Conduct Human Resource risks analysis and make recommendations to senior management.
• Lead and deliver a successful change management process that, within resource limitations, upgrades the Human Resources Section to a Human Resources Division.
• Manage relations with the Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association to promote good employee relations through dialogue, consultation and continuous staff engagement on Human Resources issues.
• Direct and manage Human Resources services, and ensure their timely ongoing provision and quality.
• Oversee the development and regular update of Service Level Agreements between Human Resource Division and other Divisions in order to ensure achievement of the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan objectives.
• Co-ordinate diagnostic surveys, Human Resource audits and employee surveys as needed in order to monitor and evaluate organisational culture and climate.
• Oversee and participate in recruitment of staff consistent with the diversity of the Commonwealth membership and operational needs and priorities.
• Monitor, manage and explore ways of reducing the cost of recruitment policies, practices and procedures and identify areas for specific improvement.
• In collaboration with Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division, ensure all aspects of Human Resources policy and management are consistent with international administrative law requirements.
• Represent the Secretariat externally including managing relations with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, external Human Resource service providers, etc to maintain effective relationships that will support the work of the Division and Secretariat.

Line Management Resposibilities:

• Direct and manage the staff and other resources of the Human Resources Division.
• Formulate, monitor, implement and evaluate Annual Human Resources Divisional Work Plans (HR ADWs) that are aligned to the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs in a timely manner.
• Ensure individual Work Plans link to the HR ADWs and are achieved.
• Structure and continuously evaluate the effectiveness of Human Resource services, upholding structural dimensions of the Division that enable an integrated Human Resources service.
• Provide visionary leadership for the Division’s team of Human Resources specialists and other staff; encourage and support professional growth and development of individual staff.
• Oversee the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, and ensure sound financial management of the Division’s allocated funds for cost-effective delivery of Human Resource services.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, systems, practices and service levels, to build a culture of professionalism, confidence and excellence, and accountability.
• Ensure that the Division’s outputs are of high quality and efficiency standards by implementing and monitoring quality control systems and procedures. Ensure the integrity of Human Resource management information including confidentiality.
• Ensure clarity and objectivity of reports based on comprehensive data, sound analysis, segregation of duties and management of delegated authority.
• Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for Management Committee, Strategic Human Resources Committee, Senior Management Group meetings etc.

Person Specifications

Education:

Post-graduate University Degree or equivalent in Human Resource Management/Development, Public or Business Administration, or a related area.

Professional qualification in Human Resources such as CIPD

Desirable: Working knowledge of International Administrative Law.

Experience:

• At least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resource management of which at least 8 years in a senior HR management role in an international or governmental organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of Human Resources management and its contribution to organisational effectiveness.
• Proven track record in advising senior management on Human Resources matters and policy issues.
• Experience of developing and implementing an overarching Human Resources management strategy.
• Experience of developing and implementing human resources policies.
• Experience in work force planning and establishing modern proactive recruitment and staffing systems.
• Experience of leading and delivering organisational change management.
• Experience in successful practical handling of complex employee relations matters.
• Experience of employment in multicultural and international settings.
• Experience in dealing with Staff Associations or similar styles of employee advocacy bodies.

Desirable:

• Experience of human resources risk management.
• Evidence of successfully managing workload and process improvement initiatives for performance management and corrective action, succession planning, leadership assessment and development.
• Experience in managing multi-site operations and matrix structures.

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