Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Division of Administration (DoA), Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), Service Delivery Unit. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Associate Information Systems Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates, as a team member, to the work programme of the team; works within a team of systems integrators, developers and technology specialists.
• Analyzes business needs and requirements, proposes solutions, develop project plans, manages resources to meet budget, scope and timeline objectives.

• Supervises and evaluates staff; participates in the recruitment and selection and evaluation of new staff or contractors.
• Participates in preparing user requirements and other technical specifications.
• Assists in the design, development and installation of information systems.

• Undertakes analysis of well-defined modules within the system, develop enhancements and new features to existing systems; may design and implement small, stand-alone systems as needed (e.g. to meet individual user requirements).
• Undertakes rigorous testing and proving of applications software.

• Maintains assigned portions of systems, providing operational support for system’s applications, analyzing and implementing system changes/upgrades, etc.

• Participates in developing and maintaining Information Systems project plans, schedules, and budgets. Assists in identifying appropriate human and technical resources to complete the project, assists in assuring that deviations from project schedule are addressed and communicated, assists in developing timely project status reports, monitoring project risk factors, escalating project issues, and providing Quality Assurance for all project deliverables.

• Writes and develops programs to interface with existing systems.
• Ensures data security and integrity.

• Participates in developing disaster recovery plans.
• Prepares, updates and maintains system’s documentation and related technical/procedural manuals.
• Assists in procurements, including conducting needs assessments and benchmarks, preparing technical specifications and evaluation criteria.

• Assists in the set-up and monitoring of software performance measures.
• Participates in Helpdesk support services.
• Participates in facilitating communications between ICTS and its clients for good client relations and be responsible for small to medium client accounts.

• Assists in the development of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the client and ICTS, for either specific IT services or general technology support, including any charge back mechanisms.

• Advises users on the most suitable hardware and software for different tasks; maintains and enhances software.
• Drafts training materials and conducts training sessions and demonstrations of systems for users.

• Participates with senior staff in assessing and testing new technology.
• Performs other duties as required.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of cloud computing architecture (Azure and/or AWS), DevSecOps principles and information security risk and vulnerability management frameworks is an asset. Knowledge of relational database management systems (such as Oracle DB, MS SQL, Maria DB), central computer management systems and network operating systems, including application packaging and deployment solutions, Microsoft related technologies including Windows Server, Microsoft Active Directory, Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft SCCM, Microsoft App-V. Knowledge of basic systems analysis and design techniques, testing, debugging, and documentation standards, database design, storage and internal systems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree only is required for candidates who have passed a United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination or G to P Examination.

Job – Specific Qualification

Formal certification in Database Management Systems, Microsoft related technologies, Project Management and IT Service Management frameworks (such as Prince 2 and ITIL) is desirable.

Formal certification in Cybersecurity (such as Cisco CyberOPS, CompTIA Security+ or equivalent) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required. (No experience for candidates who have passed a United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination is needed.)

Experience in managing ICT infrastructure and supervising complex ICT services delivery is desirable.

Experience in coordinating technical risk assessment projects, including following-up on technical findings and implementing corrective and proactive measures is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available through 31 December 2023, with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a assignment.

• While this assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.