Human Resources Officer

Human Resources Officer

WCO – World Customs Organization

Brussels, Belgium

1. INTRODUCTION

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 186 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.

As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a wide range of conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.

In June 2024, WCO Council approved a modernization plan for the Organization, which included a restructuring designed to address challenges identified by Members and the Secretariat which came into effect on 1 July 2025. The Human Resources (HR) Service has been heavily engaged in supporting this modernization process, whilst at the same time investing in building and developing a modern HR function.

2. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE VACANT POSITION

The Human Resources Service is looking to recruit an official as a Human Resources Officer to join the team in Brussels. The HR Officer will be primarily responsible for activities related to talent management, in particular: attracting and recruiting talent and building the employer brand, implementing recruitment tools and best practices, and supporting effective performance management and employee engagement.

The HR Officer will work closely with the HR Team, which is led by the Head of HR and comprises another HR Officer and an HR Coordinator. From January 2026, an additional Officer, focussed on Learning & Development will be added to the Service. This is a small team, and it is important to be flexible and willing to take on different tasks as needed.

This position would suit an individual experienced in aspects of talent management, in particular recruitment and performance management, looking to grow their career in a truly international environment. We are looking for a colleague who is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the WCO’s modernization efforts and to make a positive and lasting impact for the organization and its staff.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of HR, the HR Officer will focus on the following key activities:

• Actively contributing to the modernization of HR in the WCO, taking the lead on development of HR policies and initiatives as required;
• Analyzing HR data, trends and emerging issues and developing information, training materials and products to support service delivery and new HR initiatives;
• Coordinating and actively participating in all stages of the recruitment process, including:
  • Collaborating with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and plan recruitment strategies;
  • Implementing and managing an applicant tracking system, ensuring the experience of candidates and hiring panels and the recruitment process is optimized;
  • Advising and guiding hiring managers in all stages of the recruitment process and ensuring alignment with the WCO Values, policies and best practices;
  • Identifying opportunities to build talent pipelines for future vacancies;
  • Working with the Communications Service to improve the external employer brand and outreach.
• Advising and coaching managers in the management of performance;
• Designing and administering employee surveys to assess engagement and belonging, analyzing results and collaborating with management on action plans to improve engagement and retention;
• Conducting exit interviews, analyzing results and collaborating with management on follow-up actions to improve retention;
• Providing guidance to managers and staff members concerning rights, obligations, the application of the Staff Manuals and HR policies;
• Ensuring a proactive approach to the management of contractual terms, adherence to HR policy and the Staff Manual;
• Updating and reporting from the HR Information System;
• Any other related duties, as required, that may be entrusted to the Human Resources Officer by the Head of HR.

4. EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, law, business administration, organizational development, industrial psychology or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, skills and experience;
• Relevant HR training related to the responsibilities of the position.

5. EXPERIENCE AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• At least five (5) years of practical experience in relevant fields of HR;
• Experience in handling recruitment and implementing recruitment tools;
• Experience in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures;
• Strong IT literacy, in particular in the use of Microsoft Office;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong sense of initiative and anticipation, creativity and flexibility in work;
• Attention to detail and the ability to manage competing demands;
• Motivated by the opportunity to work in a multicultural environment;
• Able to demonstrate tact, discretion and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive staff issues;
• Motivated by continuous improvement and the development of new skills.

6. ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE BUT NON-ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• HR experience from an international organization or an intergovernmental organization;
• A relevant professional membership or accreditation, such as SHRM, CIPD, HCI or ATD;
• Experience in identifying and implementing an applicant tracking system.

7. LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English and/or French (the WCO’s official languages);
• Knowledge of the other official WCO language would be considered an asset.

8. CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS

• Staff member under WCO contract of three (3) years (with the possibility of renewal);
• Probationary period: six (6) months;
• Full-time employment (thirty-seven (37) hours and forty (40) minutes weekly) at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;
• Thirty (30) days of annual paid leave;
• Salary based on the Co-ordinated Organisations’ salary scale, grade B4, step 1; amount of 4,641.01 EUR/month (remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium);
• The basic salary can be augmented by allowances based on the staff member’s eligibility, and it is subject to the mandatory withholding of terminal allowance (for retirement planning) and medical and life & disability insurance contributions.

This position is subject to the WCO Staff Manual (for permanent staff). If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to specifically indicate this in the application.

9. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how they meet each of the essential qualifications and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to describe tangible achievements in their CVs and/or in their cover letters, as well as to include references.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an assessment which may include a written test and/or an interview. All short-listed candidates may be requested to provide copies of their original diploma, certificates and proof of relevant experience. Pre-selected candidates may also be subject to reference checks to confirm the information provided in their application.

Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than Sunday 31 August at midnight Central European Time, including a CV and cover letter in English or French. This application should be sent by email to: [email protected].

The subject line of the email sent by each candidate should clearly indicate the job vacancy for which they are applying.

Interested candidates may submit a request for additional information via email, providing their full name and contact details.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application, according to the criteria for the position and the applicable WCO rules.

10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The WCO is committed to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, as well as to promoting diversity among its staff members. Accordingly, applications from qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, will receive equal treatment and due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting nationals from WCO Members on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The age limit for employment at the WCO is 65. Please note that the WCO Headquarters building is a non-smoking environment.

Any personal data collected and processed as part of the recruitment procedure will be in accordance with the WCO’s Personal Data Protection Policy (available on the WCO website: (https://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/policies.aspx). Any questions or complaints in this regard may be addressed to the WCO’s Data Protection Officer ([email protected]).