Human Resources Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

FAO is seeking a Human Resources Specialist (Consultant/PSA) to support the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (Cairo) with recruitment, workforce planning and HR operations across multiple locations. This non-staff role is up to 11 months, with a closure date of 28 October 2026.

The incumbent will provide guidance to hiring managers, prepare vacancy announcements, draft reports, maintain confidential records and assist with talent management and performance review processes.

Qualifications

• Advanced University degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, or related field.
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in Human Resources and Administration.
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English.

Responsibilities

• Respond to queries concerning HR related matters and inform hiring managers about policies and procedures.
• 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 vacancy announcements and contracts.

Job description

Job Description - Human Resources Specialist (2602088)

Job Description

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2602088

Human Resources Specialist

Job Posting

07/Oct/2026

Closure Date

28/Oct/2026, 10:59:00 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)

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.

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).

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

• For Consultants: 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.

Selection Criteria

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

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.