Senior Human Resources Assistant, G7

Responsible Us; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

United Nations Environment Programme in Montreal is seeking a Senior Human Resources Assistant, G7, to support recruitment, staff entitlements, and HR data administration. The role involves screening applications, organising tests, guiding visa matters, and maintaining automated databases while contributing to policy development and reporting.

The successful candidate will have a high school diploma plus training in HR or public administration, 8–10 years of international HR experience, and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Relevant training in human resources or public administration desirable.
• Experience in international organizations and recruitment desirable.
• Data analytics experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist recruitment and placement activities, including screening applications and coordinating interviews.
• Support entitlements processing, staff records, and HR data management.
• Prepare and maintain documentation, reports, and correspondence for HR policies and procedures.
• Provide general administrative support and assist in HR-related projects and data analysis.

Skills

English

French

Education

High School Diploma

HR-related training or public administration

Job description

Home / Jobs / Senior Human Resources Assistant, G7

Senior Human Resources Assistant, G7

United Nations — United Nations Environment Programme · Montreal

Contract Fixed-term

Experience Entry-level

Closing Date October 23, 2026

Job Description

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development. A key agreement opened for signature at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention has three objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal, Canada, and is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This position is located in the Human Resources Unit of the Administration and Operational Support Section Division of the SCBD. Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Administration Division and the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:ResponsibilitiesA. Recruitment and Placement: a) Participates in the selection of candidates for secretarial, clerical and related categories, including evaluating and screening applications of such candidates, preparing profiles of candidates, and conducting preliminary interviews, and conducting roster searches for vacancies and identifying short-list of candidates. b) Assists in the filling of posts. c) Provides input into policy development for the HR policies of staff in the General Service and related categories. d) Schedules and coordinates entry tests for secretarial/clerical/trades and crafts/security positions. e) Assists in organizing and coordinating competitive recruitment examinations. f) Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and tracking status of vacancy announcements. g) Advises staff on visa matters. B. Administration of Entitlements: a) Reviews and processes data pertaining to conditions of service. b) Reviews and processes requests for entitlements and exceptions to the Staff Rules and Regulations concerning travel entitlements, currency of payment of emoluments and rental subsidy. c) Monitors issues on conditions of service of staff and advises the supervisor of any developments. C. Staff Development and Career Support Training: a) Assists in the development of career development programme. b) Assists in the organization and conduct of training courses and workshops. D. Classification: a) Assists in reviewing and processing requests for classification. b) Provides advice and answers general queries on classification procedures and processes. c) Assists in providing documentation and background materials relating to classification appeals. E. General: a) Supervises the maintenance of automated databases and the centralized reference and filing systems. b) Undertakes research on a range of HR related issues and prepares notes/reports. c) Conducts research on precedents, policy rulings and procedures. d) Supervises compilation and preparation of statistical reports on HR related issues. e) Assists in the preparation of information circulars for HR related issues. f) Conducts exit interviews for separating staff and assists him/her in final arrangements. g) Provides general office support services; processes, drafts, edits, proofreads and finalizes for signature/approval, a variety of correspondence and other communications; performs budget preparation input monitoring and implementation in UMOJA; sets up and maintains files/records (electronic and paper); schedules appointments/meetings, monitors deadlines, h) Prepares written response to queries concerning HR related matters. i) Trains and provides supervision to new and lower-level staff in the unit. j) Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. k) Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. l) Performs other duties as required.CompetenciesProfessionalism: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions e.g. budget/work programme, human resources, database management. The ability to perform analysis, modelling, and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Commits to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from client’s point view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.EducationCompletion of High School Diploma is required.Job - Specific QualificationRelevant training in human resources, business administration, finance, public administration or equivalent is desirable.Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, management, administrative services or related areas is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. A minimum of five years’ experience in an HR staff administration environment in an international organization is desirable. Experience in the administration of entitlements and benefits, processing personnel transactions in an ERP is desirable. Experience in the application of staff rules and regulations within the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience in recruitment processes is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening SpeakingEnglish UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level IIFrench UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level IIAssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview.Special NoticeThe appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Environment Programme. Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/ Al/2013/1 on Administration of fixed term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred to take-up the appointment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING