Leonard Otti
New York,USA
Summary
Dynamic Human Resources leader with over 19 years of progressive experience within the United Nations system, specializing in strategic HR management, talent acquisition, and organizational development. Demonstrated success in designing and implementing inclusive, data-driven talent strategies that align with UN reform priorities. Played a pivotal role in gender parity initiatives, particularly through the expansion of the Senior Women’s Talent Pipeline (SWTP), while fostering inter-agency collaboration and promoting inclusive recruitment practices. Recognized as a trusted advisor to senior UN leadership, leveraging extensive expertise in policy reform, strategic planning, and supporting field missions through complex transitions and restructuring.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Training Program Coordinator
UN Secretariat UNMIK
01.2005 - 12.2005
- Analyzed/identified training and staff development needs, projected future training requirements; through needs assessment surveys and feedback evaluation forms
- Co-Developed and delivered training workshops with a focus on P11/PHP Preparation, Appraisal Interview, Performance matters, Competency based interviewing, exploring opportunities job search through the web, CV cover letters resume writing aimed at enhancing career development among UNMIK staff;
- Provided advice and guidance to mission staff on training and staff development issues through individual consultations
- Liaised with other UN agencies and organizations in the mission to identify training resources; through setting up of information sessions and following up on implementation of budgeted trainings
- Conducted needs assessments, focus groups and analyze surveys on training; Based on needs assessment and client surveys, revised existing and/or developed and delivered new training programmes
Partner Manager
UN Secretariat
01.2024 - Current
- Oversee Rostering, manage and successfully administer Generic Job Openings (GJOs), Young Professionals Programme (YPP), Competitive Examinations for Language Professionals (CELP), and Managed Reassignment Program (MRP), Senior Women Talent Pipeline (SWTP) ensuring effective partner communication.
- Direct a team of roster managers, achieving efficient and high-quality outcomes. Establish and maintain successful relationships with partners for roster exercises.
- Contribute to successful rostering and recruitment initiatives, including Staff Selection 2.0 and anti-racism.
- Lead stakeholder engagement, achieving consensus for roster exercises.
- Oversee planning and forecasting for GJOs, CELP, YPP, MRP, and SWTP, ensuring alignment with goals.
- Provide strategic guidance to SWTP, ensuring alignment and support.
- Compile and evaluate client surveys, guiding improvements. Lead after-action reviews, ensuring continuous improvement. Provide strategic and operational oversight, ensuring successful assessment outcomes
Chief Talent Acquisition Section
UN Secretariat
01.2019 - 01.2024
- Develop and deliver on an agreed schedule of Generic Job Openings to replenish, build and maintain rosters that serve the most urgent requirements of DOS supported field missions:
- Manage and Coordinate work of the Talent Acquisition Section in accordance with the sections work plan as part of the Human Resources Support Division (HRSD) manage the rosters across 23 occupational groups at all levels from FS-4 to D-1.
- Coordinate development and enhancements to the inspira staffing module and support to the field on insipra:
- Participate and implement a simplification and innovation agenda for the rostering process.
- In the context of the UN Gender Parity Strategy, contribute to implementing enabling mechanisms to increase the number of qualified women on DFS-supported FCRB rosters and ultimately increase the number of women serving in UN peace operations
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Chief Recruitment Unit
UN Secretariat, Department of Field Support
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Develop and deliver on an agreed schedule of Generic Job Openings to replenish, build, and maintain rosters that serve the most urgent requirements of DFS-supported field missions:
- Manage and Coordinate work of the Recruitment Unit in accordance with the units work plan to develop and maintain rosters for all job families: HRM policy advice and interpretations of rules and regulations to OGMs, HRAs, interns, missions and proponent offices on the application of human resources policies, practices and procedures as it relates to the recruitment process in accordance with existing human resources framework.
- Provide day to day guidance and support in the planning, coordination and administration of the expert panel process for all GJOs issued. Provide day to day management,.
- Oversee the management of the EP budget of $1.2 million to cover the cost of the rostering related expenses from missions.
- Monitor staffing needs of the Unit and identify surge requirements.
Chief Career Support and HR Capacity Building Unit
UN Secretariat
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Provide advice to field staff on career development initiatives, address staff career development and mobility concerns .
- Assist in the development of systems, policies and practices for a range of career support elements for field staff including mobility and rotation of international staff in peacekeeping operations, as well as to staff development, through assessing occupational requirements, developing career paths through remote and in-situ career advice to field staff, recommending assignments and career moves, and developing succession plans.
- Advise the Director and Deputy Director Field Personnel Division on career development issues, prepare special reports and make recommendations on improving policies, procedures and practices.
- Develop and implement, in collaboration with the OHRM, career management strategies, frameworks and tools for staff serving in United Nations peace operations.
- Manage succession planning, vacancy management
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Human Resources Officer
United Nations Secretariat, DPKO
10.2006 - 11.2010
- Provided advice to field staff on career development initiatives, addressed staff career development and mobility concerns.
- Assisted in designing, planning, implementation and evaluation of career development policies and plans for DPKO field staff.
- Assisted in the development of systems, policies and practices for a range of career support elements for field staff including mobility, reassignment and rotation of international staff in peacekeeping operations, as well as to staff development, through assessing occupational requirements, recommended assignments and career moves, and developed succession plans.
- Advised the Chief Career Development Unit and Chief Recruitment Outreach and Career Development Section on career development issues, prepared special reports and made recommendations on improving policies, procedures and practices.
- Participated and coordinating attendance of DPKO field representation at the annual Career Development Roundtable
- Supervised job interviews and conducted exit surveys to verify compliance with HR best practices.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of current HR systems; identified areas requiring enhancement or replacement.
- Facilitated employee relations, benefits administration and performance management initiatives to support workforce needs.
- Streamlined recruitment processes for improved efficiency in hiring top talent.
Training Officer
UN Secretariat UNMIK
01.2006 - 10.2006
- Established and officially launched the first UNMIK Career Resource Center (CRC) and the first DPKO mission CRC fully equipped with career and life planning information to serve the entire UNMIK staff of 3000 personnel.
- With the appointment of a new unit and chief of the unit, ably managed to sustain the units training development with the development of new mini- workshops internal no-cost to be run on CV, cover letter and resume writing to enable staff members enhance the career development and life planning and sphere head the first Career Support programme in a Peace Keeping mission.
- Successfully coordinated a Career Support Visit in a short time frame of 2 months , drafting agenda with a focus to staff being downsized culminating in a 1 week visit seeing 259 staff participants in workshops, one-on-one consultations, town hall meetings a total of 20% of the entire UNMIK staff and 50% of the staff to be downsized
- Assessed skill gaps for employees and developed training courses to meet identified needs.
- Implemented post-training surveys and evaluations in order to measure the efficacy of delivered courses.
- Supported career advancement for employees through personalized coaching and mentoring sessions.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to develop relevant training materials that addressed specific organizational challenges.
Administrative Officer
UN Secretariat UNMIK
02.2002 - 12.2004
- Compiled standardized reports and oversaw 3 successful mid term budget reviews and daily budget disbursements to a tune of 4 million Euros.
- Developed and Implemented a system for the application of a fair share principle in the disbursement of KCB budget funds allotted for the provision of services to ethnic minorities which saw an equitable ratio of disbursements (60:40) between the two groups
- Developed and designed 8 fully functional databases and data management systems Registering and licensing of importers of plants, plant products, live animals, animal products and food of plant and animal origin including Paper based certificates accompanying daily shipments into Kosovo of plants, plant products, live animals, animal products and food of plant and animal origin; Animal disease surveillance; Decentralized border inspection payment mechanism.
- Managed sensitive data securely by establishing strict access controls and implementing proper storage protocols.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Maintained accurate records, ensuring timely processing of invoices, payments, and financial reports.
- Managed files and records for clients and adhered to safety procedures to prevent breaches and data misuse.
- Streamlined office processes by implementing efficient administrative systems and procedures.
Education
Executive Master's - Management of International Organizations
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Milan, Italy06-2016
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda01.1998
High School Diplomas -
Kings College Buddo
Kampala, UgandaSkills
- Strategic HR management
- Talent acquisition
- Data analysis
- Data visualization
- Workforce planning
- Building senior leadership pipelines
- Collaboration with senior leaders and inter-agency stakeholders
- Strategic planning
- HR policies and procedures
- Policy development
- Organizational development
- Human resources management systems
Languages
English
Luganda
Swahili
Timeline
Partner Manager
UN Secretariat
01.2024 - Current
Chief Talent Acquisition Section
UN Secretariat
01.2019 - 01.2024
Chief Recruitment Unit
UN Secretariat, Department of Field Support
01.2017 - 01.2018
Chief Career Support and HR Capacity Building Unit
UN Secretariat
01.2010 - 01.2017
Human Resources Officer
United Nations Secretariat, DPKO
10.2006 - 11.2010
Training Officer
UN Secretariat UNMIK
01.2006 - 10.2006
Training Program Coordinator
UN Secretariat UNMIK
01.2005 - 12.2005
Administrative Officer
UN Secretariat UNMIK
02.2002 - 12.2004
Executive Master's - Management of International Organizations
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Makerere University
High School Diplomas -
Kings College Buddo
Motivation Statement
Odong expresses his interest in the P-4 Talent Management Officer role, emphasizing his 19+ years of experience in human resources within the UN system. He highlights his expertise in strategic HR leadership, talent acquisition, organizational development, gender parity initiatives, and inter-agency collaboration.
Key Skills And Achievements
- Strategic HR management and talent acquisition
- Data analysis and visualization for workforce planning
- Building senior leadership pipelines (e.g., Senior Women's Talent Pipeline)
- Collaboration with senior UN leaders and inter-agency stakeholders
- Extensive experience in UN systems, policies, and reforms
Biographical Information
2006-01-03, 2025-10-30
Un Cs Status
Active (Continuing Appointment)
Roster Status
Yes
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 06-Jan-1976
- Nationality: Uganda
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