People and Culture Specialist, P-3, FT, #098986, Nouakchott - Mauritania WCAR

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Future

Mauritania is characterized by vast desert landscapes and low population density. Its population of 4.93 million is predominantly young, with 48.7 per cent under the age of 18. The country also hosts one of the largest refugee camps in the Sahel and continues to face the effects of regional instability and displacement. Despite these challenges, Mauritania has demonstrated resilience in the face of global shocks. Economic recovery has been notable, with growth estimated at 5.2 per cent in 2024. However, structural challenges persist. Job creation remains insufficient, particularly for young people, and poverty is widespread, especially in rural areas. Nearly 56.9 per cent of the population lives below the multidimensional poverty line, with children being the most affected age group, at an estimated 61.9 per cent. In 2023, Mauritania’s Human Development Index stood at 0.563, ranking the country 163rd globally.

At the same time, Mauritania presents important strengths that support UNICEF’s engagement. The country has maintained sustained economic growth in recent years, creating opportunities for increased investment in social sectors and improved public service delivery. Mauritania also continues to benefit from a relatively stable political and security environment, which provides a favorable context for program implementation, institutional partnerships, and field presence across the country.

How can you make a difference?

You as the People and Culture Specialist, within their area of responsibility, is accountable for implementing HR services that enhance the capacity of their clients to deliver on their business goals and objectives. In doing so, you demonstrate the ability to anticipate HR-related needs and develop subsequent plans and solutions that align HR management with business objectives.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Business Partnering
2. Strategic Human Resources
3. Implementation of assigned Human Resources Services
4. Learning and Capacity Development
5. HR Data Analytics

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: People and Culture Specialist, P-3, Nouakchott - Mauritania.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An Advanced University Degree (Master's degree) in human resource management, business management, international relations, psychology or another related field is required.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human resource management in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.
• Skills: Experience in Human Resources Strategies, HR Information Technology, HR Regulations, Communication, Advocacy, Business Management is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English is required.

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language including Arabic or a local language is an asset.
• Experience in government strategic advisory, performance management, data analytics is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.