Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

Database Systems Specialist is responsible to the Head, Infrastructure and Operations Section.

Responsibilities

Controls, develops, tests, documents, implements and keeps up-to-date the agency central database systems operational procedures as recommended by relational database standards, used by centrally hosted enterprise information management application systems, including:
• Designing, development, implementing, testing, and validating data and software systems for central enterprise information management application systems hosted on premise and in the Cloud;
• Developing and performing database tuning and performance optimization procedures;
• Monitoring, reporting and planning capacity for application system database in terms of hardware, software and licensing;
• Monitoring database transactions and security audits, plan and oversee patch updates and upgrades, perform data analysis of key problem areas to assist in root cause analysis;
• Assists in designing and building data warehousing, business intelligence, and DevOPS platforms;
• Participating in software acceptance testing;
• Controlling and documenting the deployment of production database, application software modifications and related change control, testing and log maintenance procedures;
• Providing support in data archiving, backup and disaster recovery policies and procedures;
• Providing remote and on-site technical assistance to other Technology Development and Operations Division (TDOD) support staff in determining production systems equipment or software malfunction and taking necessary corrective measures;
• Liaising with database and application software vendor(s), as required;
• Identifying, recommending and installing other third-party software tools required for efficient administration and operation of the central database production system;

Assists in developing database architectures, data model, data dictionary, coding standards, and quality assurance policies and procedures applicable for on premise and cloud-hosted applications.

Responds to and resolves web-based database access, performance and data integrity issues.

Plans and coordinates data migrations between systems.

Assists and reviews changes to database design to assess impact on physical database and makes necessary recommendations and implementation.

Keeps abreast of latest technology developments on deployed databases and systems facilities and provides advice and recommendations to section head on database development issues.

Identifies and recommends related database technical training for TDOD support staff.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default.

Applying Technical Expertise
Learning and Researching
Creating and Innovating
Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
Relating and Networking

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

A university degree from an accredited educational institution in computer science, information technology.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certification in Agile project management is required.

ITIL and Database Administrator training and certification is desirable.

Formal training in database administration and development techniques is required.

Work Experience

At least six years of progressively responsible and relevant professional information systems experience, two years of which should be at senior level, managing a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) production environment are required.

Expert knowledge of Windows Server Operating System and SQL database administration techniques is required.

Experience and proficiency in database structures, theories, principles, and practices, and database tuning and troubleshooting is required.

Experience in designing, building, configuring and supporting agile database and web-based solutions in a DevOPS environment is required.

Experience in implementing large web-based centralized database systems is desirable.

Experience of application design and development in relational databases running on Windows environment and Azure relational database is desirable.

Knowledge of UNRWA’s operations and computer facilities environment is desirable.

Are you currently residing in Duty station. Please specify your current location. It is required.

Languages

Very good command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Conditions of service:

Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment for 3 years; including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need.

Grade and Salary: Grade 16 Monthly basic salary JD 1098.9 plus special occupational allowance (SOA) of 50.82 of the basic salary (SOA may change from time to time).

Other benefits: Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).

The incumbent may be required to travel in Agency’s area of operations;

The incumbent may be required to work outside normal duty hours and on call basis.

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Jordan, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Jordan,
and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.

Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency
to meet its commitment to gender parity. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post.

Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 or LDC Bands E to H must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Additionally, providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate disqualification of a candidate.

For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under “Category” RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade.

Equivalency:
Equivalency may apply for this post.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered.

The Agency may disqualify applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated whilst misconduct processes were pending.

UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers, about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations.

The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

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.