Valentina Cocco
Chevry
Summary
Strategic human resources professional with 20 years of experience, specialising in talent acquisition and recruitment automation. Expertise in workforce planning, mentoring, and competency-based training. Led initiatives for recruitment optimisation, streamlining processes for over 3,000 global staff, and co-created the Career Tips Thursday Initiative. Focused on delivering global career guidance and driving innovation in HR practices to foster inclusive workplaces.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Team Lead, Vacancy Management Unit
United Nations Office at Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland
08.2017 - Current
- Spearheaded talent acquisition and management initiatives for UNOG, enhancing workforce capabilities for over 3,000 global staff.
- Streamlined recruitment processes through automation, improving overall recruitment innovation.
- Enhanced recruitment efficiency leveraging AI technologies across all stages.
- Delivered global career guidance through coaching, mentoring, and designing workshops that equipped staff with essential skills.
- Co-created Career Tips Thursday initiative and managed it since 2021 (https://learning.unog.ch/career-tips-thursday)
Associate Human Resources Officer
United Nations Office at Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland
10.2015 - 08.2017
- Facilitated recruitment and onboarding for 3,000 staff members, improving integration and engagement for new hires.
- Designed and delivered competency-based workshops, enhancing skills and knowledge among staff and managers.
- Led reprofiling initiatives, equipping staff through targeted capacity-building workshops.
Associate Human Resources Officer
UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
Beirut, Lebanon
04.2014 - 10.2015
- Supervised staff outreach, recruitment, interviewing, selection, and onboarding for ESCWA.
- Achieved 34% increase in compliance with established KPIs through process streamlining.
- Served as focal point for gender and finance initiatives to promote organizational goals.
Associate Programme Management Officer
UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
Beirut, Lebanon
01.2013 - 03.2014
- Facilitated development and implementation of strategic framework and divisional work programmes for sub-programmes and managers.
- Established clear mission and vision to guide ESCWA's mandate execution.
- Controlled expenses to ensure effective implementation of work plans.
- Streamlined workflow of Publications Committee through logistical support and provision of substantive inputs, improving overall committee efficiency.
Programme and Team Assistant
United Nations Headquarters
New York, United States
03.2008 - 01.2013
- Managed senior staff schedules, optimizing meeting and appointment efficiency.
- Coordinated meetings, prepared agendas, and distributed minutes to improve team communication.
- Arranged travel logistics, including flights and accommodations, for executives at international conferences.
- Proofread documents and correspondence to maintain accuracy in external communications.
- Collaborated with external vendors to secure favorable terms and high-quality training courses for peacekeeping personnel.
Public Information Assistant
United Nations Headquarters
New York, United States
03.2007 - 03.2008
- Delivered over 800 briefings and tours to approximately 12,000 clients, receiving consistent appreciation.
- Communicated United Nations functions and structure to diverse audiences, including students and VIPs.
- Conducted tours and briefings in four languages: English, Italian, Spanish, and French.
- Designed training packages for newly recruited staff to enhance onboarding experience.
Intern
Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations
New York, United States
01.2006 - 04.2006
- Served as focal point for Sub-Saharan issues in Permanent Mission under supervision.
- Analyzed and summarized humanitarian Consolidated Appeals for Sub-Saharan African countries.
- Provided logistical support for meetings in Security Council and Economic and Social Council.
- Coordinated visits of senior representatives and politicians from Italy.
Accounting Analyst and Intern
Istituto Centrale per il Restauro
Rome, Italy
05.2005 - 12.2005
- Facilitated payment processing for vendors by assisting a team of four accountants.
- Reviewed reports for completeness and accuracy, flagging pending transactions to Senior Accountant.
- Prepared, reviewed, and updated accounting worksheets to ensure data integrity.
- Streamlined business processes by digitalizing invoice management.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
The City College of New York
New York, USA2011
Certificate in International Migration - Political Science
Universidad para la Paz
Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica2009
Certificate in International Functions - International Relations
Società Italiana per le Organizzazioni Internazion
Rome, Italy2005
Master's degree - Languages and Literatures
Università degli Studi di Torino
Turin, Italy and Sevilla, Spain2004
Skills
- talent acquisition
- AI-driven recruitment
- workforce planning
- job evaluation
- mentoring and coaching
- global career guidance
- competency-based training
- client relationship management
- Decisive decision-making
Languages
Italian
First Language
English
Advanced
C1
French
Upper Intermediate
B2
Spanish
Advanced
C1
German
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Team Lead, Vacancy Management Unit
United Nations Office at Geneva
08.2017 - Current
Associate Human Resources Officer
United Nations Office at Geneva
10.2015 - 08.2017
Associate Human Resources Officer
UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
04.2014 - 10.2015
Associate Programme Management Officer
UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
01.2013 - 03.2014
Programme and Team Assistant
United Nations Headquarters
03.2008 - 01.2013
Public Information Assistant
United Nations Headquarters
03.2007 - 03.2008
Intern
Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations
01.2006 - 04.2006
Accounting Analyst and Intern
Istituto Centrale per il Restauro
05.2005 - 12.2005
Master of Arts - International Relations
The City College of New York
Certificate in International Migration - Political Science
Universidad para la Paz
Certificate in International Functions - International Relations
Società Italiana per le Organizzazioni Internazion
Master's degree - Languages and Literatures
Università degli Studi di Torino