Job Description
The United Nations is seeking an accomplished and visionary Chief of Service, Human Resources Management (D1) to provide strategic leadership within the Office of Human Resources under the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. Based in Nairobi, this executive-level opportunity is designed for a highly experienced human resources leader who is passionate about shaping a high-performing, inclusive, accountable, and future-ready international workforce.
As Chief of Service, you will guide the development and execution of progressive human capital strategies that strengthen organizational performance while supporting the evolving priorities of the United Nations. The position requires a forward-thinking leader capable of balancing operational excellence with long-term workforce planning across a diverse, multicultural environment. You will advise senior executives on strategic people management initiatives, organizational design, workforce transformation, talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development, performance management, and employee engagement.
Working in collaboration with senior managers, regional offices, specialized agencies, and global HR teams, you will ensure that human resources policies remain aligned with organizational objectives while promoting fairness, transparency, integrity, diversity, and equal opportunity. The successful candidate will oversee complex HR operations, champion innovation through digital transformation, strengthen workforce analytics, and implement modern people management practices that enhance productivity and organizational resilience.
This leadership position demands exceptional judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to navigate complex organizational environments involving multiple stakeholders, international regulations, and evolving workforce expectations. You will contribute directly to organizational effectiveness by identifying emerging workforce challenges, recommending practical solutions, and ensuring that HR services consistently deliver measurable value across the organization.
The role also involves strengthening leadership capability throughout the organization by promoting continuous learning, coaching senior managers, improving employee wellbeing initiatives, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture where every employee can contribute fully to the United Nations' mission. You will represent the Office of Human Resources during high-level consultations, interdepartmental initiatives, and strategic planning forums while ensuring compliance with internal governance standards and international employment frameworks.
The ideal candidate combines extensive executive HR leadership experience with strong analytical capability, outstanding communication skills, and a demonstrated record of delivering organizational transformation. Success in this role requires strategic vision, ethical leadership, collaborative decision-making, and the ability to inspire confidence across culturally diverse teams operating in dynamic global environments.
This position offers a unique opportunity to influence one of the world's leading international organizations by strengthening its most valuable asset—its people. The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing organizational excellence while supporting the United Nations' commitment to sustainable development, international cooperation, operational efficiency, and service excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for the overall human resources management function across assigned organizational portfolios.
- Develop and implement comprehensive workforce strategies aligned with institutional priorities and long-term organizational objectives.
- Serve as the principal adviser to senior leadership on complex human resources policies, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness.
- Lead organizational transformation initiatives designed to improve operational efficiency, employee engagement, and institutional performance.
- Direct talent acquisition strategies that attract highly qualified professionals from diverse international backgrounds.
- Oversee succession planning frameworks that strengthen leadership continuity across critical functions.
- Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and equal employment opportunity initiatives throughout the organization.
- Guide performance management programs that encourage accountability, continuous improvement, and professional excellence.
- Supervise senior HR managers and multidisciplinary teams while promoting collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
- Ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of HR regulations, administrative policies, and organizational procedures.
- Strengthen leadership capability through executive coaching, mentoring, and management development programs.
- Lead workforce analytics initiatives to support evidence-based strategic decision-making.
- Promote employee wellbeing programs that improve workplace satisfaction, resilience, and productivity.
- Direct organizational restructuring projects while minimizing operational disruption and supporting effective change management.
- Coordinate complex employee relations matters using balanced, impartial, and solution-oriented approaches.
- Establish measurable HR performance indicators and continuously evaluate service delivery effectiveness.
- Manage high-level recruitment, selection, appointment, promotion, and career development initiatives.
- Strengthen partnerships with internal departments, international agencies, and external stakeholders on strategic workforce initiatives.
- Oversee budget planning and efficient allocation of human resource management resources.
- Encourage innovation by integrating digital technologies into HR operations and employee services.
- Lead policy reviews to ensure organizational practices remain current, transparent, and globally competitive.
- Monitor emerging workforce trends and recommend practical improvements to organizational people strategies.
- Present strategic HR reports, workforce forecasts, and policy recommendations to executive leadership.
- Ensure ethical standards, confidentiality, and accountability remain central to every HR process.
- Foster a respectful, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture that values professional integrity and continuous learning.
- Support crisis workforce planning and business continuity initiatives when organizational priorities require rapid response.
- Represent the organization during executive meetings, international conferences, and high-level consultations relating to human resources management.
- Encourage knowledge sharing, institutional learning, and professional development across HR functions.
- Build strong relationships with managers to improve workforce capability, organizational resilience, and long-term institutional success.
- Perform additional executive leadership responsibilities consistent with the strategic objectives of the Office of Human Resources.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Applicants should possess an advanced university degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Psychology, Industrial Relations, Management, Law, or another closely related discipline from a recognized institution. Extensive executive
- level leadership experience in strategic human resources management within large, complex organizations is essential. Demonstrated expertise in workforce planning, organizational development, talent management, succession planning, employee relations, leadership development, policy formulation, performance management, and organizational transformation is highly desirable. Candidates should possess exceptional strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, negotiation, decision
- making, and problem
- solving abilities supported by excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The successful candidate must demonstrate experience leading multicultural teams while promoting diversity, inclusion, integrity, accountability, and professional excellence. Strong knowledge of international employment practices, governance frameworks, institutional compliance, and organizational change management will be advantageous. Proven ability to manage competing priorities, influence executive stakeholders, interpret complex policies, and deliver sustainable organizational improvements is expected. High ethical standards, sound professional judgment, political awareness, confidentiality, resilience, adaptability, emotional intelligence, financial management capability, project leadership experience, digital HR systems knowledge, workforce analytics expertise, and fluency in written and spoken English are essential. Knowledge of another official United Nations language will provide an added advantage.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official United Nations careers portal before the closing date. Applicants should complete the online application form, upload an up-to-date curriculum vitae or Personal History Profile (PHP), and provide all required academic and professional information. Ensure that employment history, leadership achievements, educational qualifications, language proficiency, and relevant certifications are accurately completed. Only applications submitted through the official recruitment system before the application deadline will be considered. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in competency-based assessments, technical evaluations, reference checks, and panel interviews as part of the United Nations recruitment process.