UNOPS Human Resources Associate Positions 2025: Multiple Home-Based Opportunities For Global HR Professionals
UNOPS delivers services in areas such as infrastructure, procurement, financial management and human resources. With a presence in over 80 countries and handling thousands of projects each year, its workforce is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by providing operational support to partners including governments, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector.
In this light, the Human Resources Associate role forms a critical link in UNOPS’s operational chain, ensuring that the organisation has the talent, policies and support systems necessary to deliver its global mandate.
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The Role: Human Resources Associate (Vacancy VA/2025/B5011/30917)
Duty Station & Contract Type
The vacancy is for a multiple-position role: Human Resources Associate. The duty station is home-based; however, it is specified that only Brazilian nationals or individuals holding a valid residence and work permit in Brazil are eligible to apply.
The contract type is a Local ICA Support, at level LICA-6, with an ongoing contract subject to performance, funding availability and organizational need. The application window opens 28 October 2025 and closes 09 November 2025 (midnight Copenhagen time).
Background / Departmental Context
The vacancy is placed under UNOPS’s Global Project Office (GPO), New York Project Office (NYPO), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS) portion of the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC). The SDC was formed by combining the portfolios of Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services, and Development & Special Initiatives Portfolio. This Cluster provides services to partners globally — approximately across 125 countries.
Specifically, the role supports the implementation of HR services for a partner organisation: the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). UNODC is a UN specialised agency that works globally in areas such as illicit drugs, crime, terrorism prevention, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime and corruption. The HR Associate will help ensure that the HR needs of UNODC’s projects (delivered via UNOPS) are met.
Key Functional Responsibilities
According to the vacancy description, the HR Associate will engage in a range of HR functions that fall under four broad work streams: policy development & implementation; advisory services; talent acquisition & administration; and knowledge building & sharing. Some of the core tasks include:
1. Support to policy development & implementation
- Assist in collecting data on HR trends, risks and opportunities, sharing local HR best practices.
- Support projects tied to corporate HR initiatives aligned with the UNOPS HR strategy.
- Aid in communicating HR policy changes and new initiatives to management and personnel, providing guidance as required.
2. Advisory Services
- Provide guidance on HR systems and processes such as Recruitment, Contracts, Position Management, Performance Management, Benefits & Entitlements — consistent with UNOPS rules and procedures.
- Serve as liaison between the HR unit and internal/external clients; act as a first point of contact for queries and ensure positive first impressions for new hires (on-boarding).
- Advise hiring management on good practices in recruitment, performance management, learning & development.
- Support gender, diversity and inclusion initiatives in HR, including providing advice on equity, inclusion and compliance. (
3. Talent Acquisition & Administration
- Assist the organising and delivery of training and learning initiatives on HR-related topics.
- Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesising lessons learned and disseminating best practices in HR.
- Collect feedback and ideas on internal processes and help drive improvements.
4. Knowledge Building & Sharing
- Actively engage in sharing of local HR best practices within the global network.
- Support the generation and dissemination of HR-related knowledge artefacts and insights.
- Build expertise that enhances the collective capacity of HR across UNOPS and partner organisations.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Education: Completion of secondary education (High School Diploma or equivalent) plus six years of relevant experience; OR a first-level university degree (Bachelor) preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration or equivalent, plus at least two years of relevant experience.
- Work Experience: The vacancy requires as minimum the aforementioned years of experience. The exact desirable experience beyond the minimum is not specified in the excerpt, but given the level (LICA-6) one may infer a need for some robust HR operational experience, particularly in complex organisational or project settings.
Additional Information
- Applicants are required to apply online through the UNOPS Jobs portal. All applications must be received by the stated closing date (09 November 2025) at midnight Copenhagen time.
- The vacancy posting emphasises that UNOPS will not at any stage request candidates to make any form of payment as part of the recruitment process. This is a key reminder given the prevalence of fraudulent recruitment scams.
Why This Role Matters: Strategic Significance
Human Resources as a Strategic Enabler
In the context of global development, humanitarian and peace-building operations, having the right talent in place is absolutely critical. The HR Associate role within UNOPS is far more than an administrative post. It serves as a strategic enabler — helping ensure the right humans are in the right positions, that HR policies support operational agility, that diversity and inclusion are actively advanced, and that talent acquisition aligns with both organisational values and project imperatives.
By supporting a partner such as UNODC, this HR Associate role helps to underpin efforts in areas such as justice systems strengthening, anti-corruption, crime prevention and more. These are high-impact areas of international cooperation — therefore the HR processes behind them are themselves highly relevant.
Home-Based Role with Global Reach
Although the duty station is “home-based”, the role remains embedded in a global organisation with a far-reaching impact across continents. The designation of only Brazilian nationals (or valid residence/work permit holders) indicates a localisation strategy: supporting local talent within Brazil to connect with global operational work. This kind of hybrid model (local hire with global organisation) is increasingly important in large international organisations.
Career Development and Learning Opportunity
For applicants, this role offers an opportunity to work inside a UN organisation, gain experience in HR operations at scale, and connect with diverse stakeholders across culture, geography and organisational disciplines. Such exposure is invaluable for professional growth in HR, talent management, organisational development or international development fields.
Who Should Apply: Ideal Candidate Profile
Skills & Attributes
Based on the responsibilities and organisational context, the ideal candidate would bring:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills: The role requires liaising between internal clients, new hires, management and HR systems.
- Advisory mindset: Being able to guide personnel and managers on HR processes, performance management, contracts and recruitment.
- Analytical capacity: Collecting HR-trend data, assessing risk/opportunity, contributing to policy formulation.
- Talent acquisition experience: Having experience or familiarity with recruitment processes, on-boarding, training initiatives.
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): Implementing and advising on gender and diversity initiatives is explicitly mentioned.
- Organisational and project mindset: Given the global scale and partnership model of UNOPS, the candidate should be comfortable working in a matrix organisation, collaborating across units and delivering to deadlines.
- Humanitarian/development awareness: While not explicitly required, familiarity with the UN system or development/humanitarian context would strengthen a candidate’s fit.
Qualifications & Eligibility
As outlined under the education/experience section:
- Secondary diploma + 6 years relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Administration plus 2 years relevant experience.
- Must be Brazilian national OR have valid residence and work permit in Brazil (reflecting localised hiring).
- Ability to apply online, submit required documents within the application window.
- Willingness to operate in a home-based model, likely in Brazil, supporting global operations.
Cultural Fit and Values
Because UNOPS emphasises sustainable development, operational excellence, transparency and inclusion, the candidate should align with these values:
- Commitment to the UN values and code of conduct (including integrity, respect for diversity).
- Willingness to work in dynamic and possibly complex international contexts.
- Adaptability to evolving organisational needs and project mandates.
Application Advice: How to Stand Out
If you’re interested in applying for this role, here are detailed tips to help strengthen your application:
- Tailor your CV/resume to highlight HR operational experience, specifically in talent acquisition, performance management, contract administration, or HR policy implementation. Use metrics where possible (e.g., “supported recruitment of 50+ staff across multiple locations”, “reduced time to hire by 25%”).
- Craft a strong cover letter or motivation statement that explains why you are interested in working for UNOPS, how your HR background aligns with the role’s responsibilities, and what you bring that differentiates you (e.g., experience in international development, familiarity with remote/virtual HR operations, multilingual abilities).
- Showcase your understanding of HR in global contexts — evidence that you’ve worked or are comfortable working with diverse teams, multiple stakeholders, and possibly remote/home-based structures.
- Highlight any development/humanitarian exposure if you have it — this might be working with NGOs, UN agencies, or projects aligned with development goals. Even if not required, this can set you apart.
- Demonstrate initiative in HR process improvement or learning delivery — for example, training staff, developing onboarding materials, implementing new HR tools.
- Reference diversity & inclusion work — given UNOPS’s emphasis on gender and diversity, mention any relevant experience or interest in DEI initiatives.
- Proofread carefully and meet all application requirements — submit your application before the closing date (09 November 2025, midnight Copenhagen time), and ensure you include all required documentation. Late or incomplete applications are typically not considered.
- Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria — especially being a Brazilian national or resident with valid work permit, and with the correct education/experience combination.
- Prepare for the selection process — this may include competency-based interviews, technical HR questions, and situational scenarios (e.g., how you would manage a recruiting challenge or performance management issue). Reflect on your HR experience and prepare examples.
- Be aware of the recruitment timeline and do not fall prey to scams — UNOPS explicitly states they will never ask for payments in recruitment. Trust only verified communications.
The Value Proposition: What the Role Offers
Professional Growth
Working with UNOPS gives you access to a global network, complex operations and a UN-system organisation. This stands out on a résumé and can open doors for future roles in HR, talent acquisition, learning & development, or global operations.
Impact
Though labelled “home-based” and localised to Brazil, the role supports global operations — meaning your contribution will extend beyond one country and affect international project outcomes. Being part of the HR service chain for UNODC-linked operations can be especially meaningful given their global development, justice and security focus.
Cross-Cultural Exposure
Even in a home-based position, you’ll engage with stakeholders across countries, cultures and operational units. Virtual collaboration, international HR best practices and global policy frameworks will be part of your daily work.
Stability and Career Opportunity
The contract is indicated as ongoing (subject to performance and funding), which can offer more security than short-term assignments. For someone looking to build a career in HR within an international development context, this is a strong opportunity.
Challenges and Considerations
While the opportunity is compelling, there are aspects to consider:
- Competition: UNOPS vacancies often attract a strong pool of candidates. Standing out requires targeted and strong application documents.
- Home-based model: While flexible, home-based roles may demand strong self-management, independence, remote communication skills and proactive engagement.
- International HR complexity: HR in a global UN partner context can be complex—varied contracts, multiple jurisdictions, diverse policy frameworks, remote teams — so adaptability and tolerance for ambiguity are useful.
- Performance and funding dependency: The ongoing contract is subject to funding and organisational needs, so ensuring job performance and alignment with strategic HR goals will matter.
- Eligibility restriction: Only Brazilian nationals or valid resident/work-permit holders in Brazil can apply — which limits the candidate pool but also means high relevance for eligible candidates.
- Home-based status but global impact: You may need to collaborate across time-zones, with global teams, so remote working skills are important.
Summary
The Human Resources Associate role (VA/2025/B5011/30917) at UNOPS represents an exciting and meaningful opportunity for HR professionals based in Brazil (or eligible to work in Brazil) to enter or continue their career within a major United Nations organisation. It combines strategic HR responsibilities (policy support, advisory services, talent acquisition, knowledge building) with the operations of UNOPS’s global mission in development, humanitarian and peace-building services.
For an ideal candidate with relevant HR experience, a strong motivation to work in the international development/UN system and the ability to operate in a remote/home-based context, this position offers professional growth, global impact and a strong platform for future career advancement.
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