Assistant Human Resources Officer

February 6, 2026

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-04-01

Assistant Human Resources Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Assistant Human Resources Officer will function under direct supervision of the (Senior) Administrative or Human Resources Officer. Incumbent will handle HR related activities within the country/ operation, and he/she may directly supervise, coach and guide locally recruited staff responsible for the personnel administration and other HR related matters. He/she will assist the (Senior) Officer responsible for Administration/ Human Resources in the process of staffing and budget reviews, recruitment and appointment of staff, and in the performance management and staff welfare issues. Incumbent will have close working relationship with the staff-related services in UNHCR, such as the Personnel Administration Section (PAS), Affiliate Partnerships and Recruitment Section (APRS). Assignments Management Section (AMS), Talent Development and Performance Section (TDPS), Staff Health & Wellbeing Service (SHWS) and Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC).

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Provide input in the preparation of the annual operations programme review submissions, and in the review of the training needs of the staff, making appropriate proposals to meet identified needs.
- Advise and counsel staff members on their rights, obligations, benefits and entitlements in line with UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations.
- Assist in timely advertising and filling of General Service and National Officer vacancies. Prepare submissions for the review by the local Assignments Committee (AC). Process recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Conduct regular audit and verification of personnel records in the office, including audit of MSRP entries into HR module, as well as of the attendance, overtime and leave records. Monitor maintenance of the daily tracking system to ensure accurate information is provided on staff and families in case of emergency. Provide support, guidance and training to all staff performing personnel administration and other HR related functions.
- Brief newly-arrived international staff on related administrative formalities; process and follow up on their accreditations and other related documents, and arrange for their onward travel to the field office, if applicable.
- Supervise administration of UNHCR medical insurance plan for locally recruited staff. Assist staff and dependants in case of medical evacuation.
- Assist in HR related activities of the security evacuation plan, ensuring relocations/evacuations are managed and administered in line with the provisions of the UN Security Management System Policy.
- Maintain liaison with the support sections and divisions at headquarters, specifically with DHRM, on matters related to the recruitment and personnel administration support, medical and other issues of staff welfare and safety.
- Enforce local compliance with the UN/UNHCR staff rules and regulations, as well as with the performance management system.
- Clear issuance and extension of contracts for locally recruited staff.
- Clear payments related to personnel issues such as settlement of travel claims, overtime claims, hazard pay, MIP reimbursements, medical and security evacuations, shipment costs.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
Minimum Qualifications
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Human Resources Management; Law; Administration; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of UNHCR administrative procedures and processes and exposure to provision of support services in an international organization.
Desirable
Knowledge of UN/UNHCR field operational realities, especially in hardship duty stations. Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations is an asset. High IT affinity and working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP HR module, as well as with MSRP Financials and Focus.

Functional Skills
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
HR-PeopleSoft Human Capital Management
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
PG-Resource planning
FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

This is a National Officer position offered under a Fixed-term contract for an initial period of 1 year. Candidates applying to the position must be nationals of Panama or non-Panamanians should already reside in the country at the time of application with a valid work and residency permits which is required to be attached to the application. Candidates must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.

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.

Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner,
A2-elementary,
B1-lower intermediate,
B2-upper intermediate,
C1-advanced/proficient,
C2-fluent

Candidates may be required to sit for a written test.

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on United Nations salaries, allowances and benefits, visit the International Civil Service Commission web portal at http://icsc.un.org as well as https://careers.un.org/payandbenefits?language=en

Key Competencies & Experience:
- A minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in Human Resources, including demonstrated experience overseeing end to end recruitment, talent acquisition, performance management, HR policy implementation, and workforce planning.
- Proven experience in providing strategic HR guidance to managers and senior leadership, including in areas such as staffing reviews, budget planning, organizational design, and complex personnel cases.
- Strong background in personnel administration for both national staff and affiliate workforce.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate HR processes with a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgement.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and client orientation skills, with the ability to build trust and provide HR advice.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills, with the capacity to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines.
- Adaptability, discretion, innovation, and the ability to operate independently, while fostering teamwork and collaboration within the HR function.

Education & Technical Skills:
- Degree in Human Resources or International Relations or Business Administration or Office Management or related fields is mandatory.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint;

Languages:
- Mandatory: Fluency in English and Spanish
- Desirable: Working knowledge of French

Required competencies:
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
- Managing Resources
- Analytical Thinking
- Planning and Organizing
- Change Capability and Adaptability

English

,

Spanish

,

French

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Panama is responsible for overseeing operations across a diverse and geographically dispersed region, including Panama, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Belize, and the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Within this complex operational context, the Assistant HR Officer will lead the effective delivery of HR services across all countries under the MCO’s purview.

The Assistant HR Officer will oversee all HR-related activities within MCO Panama and will directly supervise, coach, and guide one HR Associate responsible for personnel administration and other HR matters. The incumbent will support the Representative in staffing and budget review processes, lead the recruitment and appointment of personnel, and provide guidance to staff on performance management, welfare issues and any HR related matters.

The role requires close collaboration with the Bureau for the Americas and UNHCR staff‑related services.

This position provides strategic oversight of recruitment and talent acquisition across the MCO, ensuring that end‑to‑end recruitment processes are planned, executed, and monitored in line with UNHCR policies and operational needs. The Assistant HR Officer ensures timely and compliant onboarding of personnel and exercises managerial responsibility over the administration of HR matters across multiple duty stations. Given the cross‑border scope of the MCO’s operations, the incumbent leads the provision of remote HR support, ensuring coherent interpretation and consistent application of HR policies and procedures across all locations, while guiding managers and staff on complex and sensitive HR issues.

Living and Working Conditions:

Panama City is classified as an A duty station (family) and has good infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards.

In terms of security Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America and it is rated as security level 2 (low). The city is a communication hub, and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good option for travelling in general.

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office is located in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the city centre, called ‘Ciudad del Saber’ where most of the other UN agencies are also located, as well as international schools, NGOs and research centres.

The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment) especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market, including in the area of the office in houses or in the city centre towers in modern apartments. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. There is a wide range of international schools, several of them offering IB curriculum including some in the office area.

In terms of recreational activities Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neighboring countries, the city offers a lot of malls, and doing shopping and going to malls is a common weekend activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city, and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities.

As other fast-growing cities, in Panama the traffic is heavy at peak hours and considered an issue for people living in Panama City. The climate is hot and humid with a rainy season lasting 8 months a year.

For the everyday life it is recommended to have Spanish knowledge as English is not widely spoken in the shops and services.

The government offers the possibility for UN spouses to get work permits and provides UN staff members with tax exemption cards for shops and restaurants.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, HR-PeopleSoft Human Capital Management, PG-Resource planning, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Bachelor of Arts: Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts: Law

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance