A unique opportunity has emerged for a visionary human resources leader to steer the people strategy of an organization at the nexus of international development and innovative finance, directly influencing efforts to empower the world’s most vulnerable communities. The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is seeking a Chief of Human Resources for its New York headquarters, a senior P5 position that moves beyond traditional HR functions to become a central driver of global sustainable development. This two-year fixed-term role, with a possibility for extension, calls for a professional capable of shaping a workforce that is agile, diverse, and equipped to unlock capital for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The position requires not just expertise in human resources management but a deep commitment to leveraging human capital as the primary asset for achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals and creating lasting, measurable impact on a global scale.
A Mission Fueled by Capital and People
The United Nations Capital Development Fund operates with a distinctive hybrid identity, functioning concurrently as a development organization and a development finance institution. Its primary mandate, established by the General Assembly, is to support developing nations by channeling public and private capital into investments that generate tangible and sustainable development outcomes. This mission is realized through a sophisticated deployment of financial instruments, including grants, loans, and guarantees, all strategically aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action. The organization concentrates its efforts across six critical priority areas: financing for sub-national infrastructure, supporting women-owned enterprises, advancing climate and nature finance, promoting renewable energy, building sustainable food systems, and fostering inclusive digital finance. Within this complex framework, the human resources function serves as a strategic enabler, ensuring the organization is staffed by professionals capable of navigating these multifaceted challenges.
The Management Services division provides the essential strategic leadership and operational oversight that underpins all of UNCDF’s activities, ensuring strict adherence to United Nations regulations and accountability standards. It is within this division that the Chief of Human Resources operates, playing an indispensable role in maintaining the organization’s high standards of performance and integrity. The HR team is tasked with building and sustaining a workforce that not only possesses the technical expertise required for development finance but also reflects the cultural and geographical diversity of the communities it serves. By managing the full talent lifecycle, from recruitment to retention, the HR function ensures that UNCDF’s operational capacity is always aligned with its strategic ambitions. This creates a foundation of stability and excellence that allows the organization to effectively de-risk investments, structure innovative financial solutions, and strengthen the readiness of initiatives aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the world’s most challenging environments.
A Strategic Partner in Global Development
Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, the Chief of Human Resources is positioned as a strategic business partner to senior leadership across the entire organization. The fundamental purpose of this role extends far beyond administrative oversight; it is about providing comprehensive direction and leadership over the entire HR function to ensure UNCDF can effectively fulfill its global mandate. The incumbent is instrumental in cultivating and maintaining a high-performing, culturally rich, and geographically diverse workforce that is fully prepared to confront future development challenges. This involves a close, collaborative partnership with line management to define strategic HR priorities and subsequently design and implement innovative, people-centric initiatives. These initiatives are meticulously crafted to cover the full talent lifecycle, ensuring the organization can attract top-tier talent, develop their capabilities, motivate high performance, and ultimately retain these valuable employees to secure long-term institutional knowledge and success.
A critical aspect of this senior position involves operating within the established framework of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) human resources policies and systems while tailoring them to UNCDF’s unique operational context. The Chief serves as the organization’s principal liaison and interlocutor with UNDP’s Office of Human Resources, navigating corporate structures to advocate for UNCDF’s specific needs. This requires a deep understanding of both organizational cultures and the ability to build effective working relationships with counterparts in New York and Copenhagen. Furthermore, the role carries significant advisory responsibilities, providing expert guidance on the management of Personnel Service Agreements (PSAs) and lending specialized expertise to major organizational change initiatives. This strategic advisory function is crucial for ensuring smooth transitions, fostering staff buy-in, and maintaining morale during periods of transformation, thereby safeguarding the organization’s ability to deliver on its mission without disruption.
Cultivating a Culture of Excellence and Growth
The mandate for this position is centered on championing a vibrant culture of high performance and continuous professional development throughout the organization. This responsibility involves leading the design and implementation of comprehensive talent reviews, formulating forward-looking learning strategies, and developing annual capacity development plans that are precisely tailored to UNCDF’s evolving needs. A key function is the diligent oversight of the performance management system, ensuring it operates not merely as a compliance exercise but as a tool for providing meaningful feedback, recognizing contributions, and fostering genuine professional growth. The Chief is tasked with actively promoting an environment where continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and career development are deeply embedded in the organizational fabric, encouraging staff at all levels to expand their skills and take ownership of their professional journeys. This requires constant monitoring and integration of best practices from both within and outside the UN system.
As the head of the division, the Chief provides clear strategic direction and effective oversight to the Human Resources team, which includes two P2 Human Resources Analysts and two General Service staff members. This leadership role entails establishing ambitious yet achievable annual work plans, setting clear objectives, and defining rigorous performance standards for the unit to ensure the delivery of timely and high-quality HR services to the entire organization. A core expectation is the fostering of a positive and collaborative work environment characterized by teamwork, unwavering accountability, integrity, and the consistent application of inclusive people management practices. The success of the HR division, and by extension the entire organization, hinges on the Chief’s ability to lead by example, mentor staff, and build a cohesive team that is committed to excellence and dedicated to supporting UNCDF’s critical mission of creating inclusive and resilient economies for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
The Profile of a Transformational Leader
UNCDF sought a highly qualified and experienced professional with a deep commitment to public service and a proven track record in strategic human resources management. The ideal candidate possessed a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or Organizational Psychology, complemented by a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience at a managerial level. Alternatively, individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline were considered if they brought an additional two years of qualifying professional experience, totaling at least twelve years. Significant weight was given to candidates with experience within the UN system or other international organizations, as this background provided an invaluable understanding of the unique complexities and protocols of a global public-sector environment. The selection process prioritized individuals with demonstrated expertise across all core HR functions, from recruitment and performance management to staff development and career management.
Ultimately, the successful candidate was one who could demonstrate a history of leading organizational change, adeptly handling complex HR cases, and utilizing Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) for data-driven management. Complete fluency in English was mandatory, while a working knowledge of French was considered a significant asset that could enhance effectiveness in a multilingual and multicultural setting. The organization’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion was reflected in its active encouragement of applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. In line with its core values, UNCDF enforced a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment and abuse of authority, and the selected individual underwent thorough reference and compliance checks to ensure alignment with the highest standards of integrity expected within the United Nations system.
