Human Resources Officer

BACKGROUND

The Convention on Wetlands is recognized by the international community as an intergovernmental agreement and its Secretariat is administered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Secretariat shares the premises provided by the Government of Switzerland to both IUCN and the Convention, located in Gland. The Ramsar Secretariat is under the authority of the Standing Committee of the Convention and ultimately of its Conference of the Parties.

Legally, Ramsar Secretariat staff, including the Secretary General, are IUCN employees and their contracts are governed by the IUCN Global Human Resources Policy, Expatriate Policy, the Conditions of Service for Switzerland, and Swiss labour law. IUCN does not have the status of an intergovernmental organization under a host country agreement in Switzerland: consequently, IUCN must obtain a Swiss work permit for non-Swiss staff. IUCN and Ramsar staff do not have diplomatic immunity or international civil servant (UN) status.

We welcome local applications.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties and Responsibilities

Ramsar staff members, currently 21, are IUCN employees so the Human Resources Officer will work very closely with IUCN HR Unit for Ramsar staff matters. The IUCN HR Unit specifically takes care of the following: organization level policies and procedures, setting and application of salary scales and allowances, issuing of contracts and extensions to contracts (IUCN HR holds Ramsar contracts), permit/entry visa processes, administration of all social security, pension and employee insurance matters.

We are looking for a self starter HR professional for a 50% position to cover all areas of the HR function for the Ramsar Secretariat.

Recruitment & Selection:
- Draft Job Descriptions for new positions in coordination with other staff members, as appropriate.
- Coordinate Position Vacancy Announcements with IUCN HR Unit to post on IUCN’s job vacancy portal.
- Coordinate with Ramsar’s Webmaster to announce the vacancy on Ramsar’s web site.
- Make first assessment of online applications and produce a “long, short list” of eligible candidates for the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General or whichever staff members are involved in the recruitment.
- Recruitment Logistics - as needed, arrange travel and accommodation for shortlisted applicants called for interview, etc.
- Organize and participate in interviews for all Ramsar staff. Follow-up with candidates for feedback, and obtain/communicate references.

Employee Relations:
- Represent HR and IUCN at Ramsar staff meetings
- Organize Social events
- Oversee new staff integration
- Coordinate staff exit processes, including preparing supplementary reference letters and exit interviews with IUCN.

Performance management:
- Guide the annual performance appraisal process for the Secretariat
- Maintain contact with the Standing Committee Executive Team for the SG’s Annual evaluation process.

Compensation, policies and procedures:
- Liaise with IUCN HR on Compensation and Benefits issues
- Be the first point of contact for advice to the Secretary General and Ramsar Staff on HR issues/IUCN conditions of service/HR policy issues and Swiss Labor Law (with reference back to IUCN HR staff as necessary);
- Oversee practical adherence to IUCN HR Policies and Procedures for Ramsar (i.e. leave, absences, grievances, code of conduct, contract terms, pay scales etc…)

General Human Resources Matters:
- Responsible for all the Ramsar HR administrative duties (update existing job descriptions etc.) as needed.
- Oversee the operation of the current intern programme
- Respond to other requests for information on internships
- Respond to spontaneous requests for employment.
- Provide HR input to Ramsar development plans

REQUIREMENTS

• 5-7 years of experience in a similar HR function in Switzerland.

• Bachelor degree in HR/ Brevet Federal in HR.

• Proven experience as generalist in all areas of human resources.

• Bi-lingual English-French, both written and spoken.

• Experience in the analysis and application of policies and procedures.

• Capacity to work effectively with and within two different teams, the Ramsar Secretariat and IUCN HR team.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work and communicate effectively in a multicultural environment and across a range of cultural environments.

• Experience in an International environment/NGO/Environmental Organization an advantage.

• Proactive, responsive and committed to client service.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong team player with a capacity to work on own initiative.

• Good knowledge of office computer applications (spreadsheet, document processing, etc.) and experience in the use of Human Resources Information Systems.
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 40'320 to CHF 50'400, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.

APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/