David Bearfield

Background

About David Bearfield

As Director of HR for the United Nations Development Programme, my challenge is to transform the HR function, enabling the Office of Human Resources to make a major contribution to UNDP's strategic plan. I aim to provide inspiring, engaging and dynamic leadership which enables our highly motivated, purpose-driven team to excel - as individuals and together. Our focus is the implementation of an ambitious People Strategy - People for 2030, linking excellence in people management to the successful implementation of the UN SDG’s. We have won multiple awards for People for 2030 initiatives, most notably receiving 2 People Management awards in 2022 from the CIPD. My ambition is for UNDP's HR function to be a world leader in its field, enabling UNDP to fulfill its inspiring vision. I have a very strong belief in the positive impact that Human Resources Management can make in the international public sector, and its contribution it can make to society more broadly. I have dual nationality Swedish/British and speak four languages fluently, I have a career spanning over 30 years. I started my career in the UK civil service Fast Stream, dealing with EU Legislation for the Department of Transport and moved into the Diplomatic Service in Brussels for the 1992 UK Presidency of the EU. From 1993 to 2018 I worked for the European Commission, where I held a range of posts from Head of Internal Communication to working for Commission Vice-Presidents Neil Kinnock and Siim Kallas. From 2007 - 18 I was Director of the European Personnel Selection Office, responsible for the corporate recruitment and L&D functions for all EU Institutions. As EPSO Director, I delivered a transformation of the Office and the EU's recruitment system - winning several international awards as a result, and enabling the EU to attract and select top talent to help it meet the challenges of the future.