Human Resources Specialist

FAO; Roma; On-site; EUR 46,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

FAO wants an HR-focused consultant to support the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa in recruitment, workforce planning, performance management and HR operations. The role emphasizes policy compliance, reporting, and coordination with the Human Resources Division and other UN agencies.

The incumbent will assist with Terms of Reference, selection processes, contract preparation for national affiliate workforce, and lessons learned from HR process improvements.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in HRM, Business Admin, Public Admin or related field as required.
• Experience in HR and Administration, recruitment, and reporting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with HR actions and provide guidance to managers on policies.
• Oversee recruitment processes for staff and affiliate workforce.
• Coordinate vacancy announcements, application screening, interviews, and reports.
• Monitor salaries, leave, social security matters and HR actions for affiliates.
• Draft reports and statistics, maintain confidential personnel files, and support audits.

Skills

HR policies

Recruitment

Workforce planning

Performance management

HR reporting

Confidentiality

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Advanced university degree in HRM / related field

Job description

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget. RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget. RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to Human Resources Officer, RNE.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the RNE Region with technical HR advice across recruitment, workforce planning, performance management, and HR operations, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. The incumbent will also support HR reporting, process improvement, and coordination on complex HR matters.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Respond to queries concerning HR related matters and inform hiring managers about corporate policies and procedures related to HR matters and ensure compliance with them.
• Assist with the preparation of Terms of Reference for affiliate workforce.
• Provide oversight for the selection and recruitment process of all categories of staff and affiliate workforce, including guiding hiring managers on the preparation of vacancy announcements, screening of applications, coordinate interview arrangements, draft the selection reports, prepare the contracts for national affiliate workforce and, when applicable, their extension/termination.
• Liaise with the Human Resources Division regarding recruitment of staff.
• Monitor requests for human resources actions before approval by FAO Representative, including payment of salaries for national affiliate workforce, leave, travel, social security related matters.
• Train and provide guidance and support to other human resources support staff, as well as develop and update training materials if needed.
• Draft reports and statistics related to human resources matters, as appropriate.
• Review, maintain and update confidential personnel information in the corporate archives, as well as local filing systems, with administrative documents and relevant confidential personnel information files, and provide support to audit processes relating to human resources.
• Identify needs and provide recommendations for improvement of human resources processes within the office.
• Assist and advise on workforce planning of affiliate workforce taking into consideration budget allocation.
• Liaise with the Human Resources Division and the Share Service Centre on specific matters that require their attention/consultation.
• Liaise with other UN Agencies on matters related to local salary scales for affiliate workforce.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings regarding HR matters.
• Participate on project teams meetings and work groups, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating HR activities.
• Act as focal point for talent management, notably on learning and development.
• Oversee the performance management system and monitor and review the HR work plan
• Provide specialist HR advice and expertise to designated partners on specific or complex cases in consultation with the regional HR Officer and the Human Resources Division.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Labour Relations, Social Sciences, Labour/Employment Law, Economics or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.

For PSA

University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Labour Relations, Social Sciences, Labour/Employment Law, Economics or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization.

• At least 1 year of relevant experience in Human Resources and Administration
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

• A second FAO language (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese or Russian) would be considered as an asset

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

07/Oct/2026

Closure Date

28/Oct/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

RNE - Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (Cairo)

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Various Locations-Various Locations

Duration

Up to 11 months

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.