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. The Director, Digital Impact, Technology and Innovation & Chief Information Officer (DDITI & CIO) reports to the Deputy Commissioner-General-Operational Support.

Responsibilities

Directs and provides effective leadership for the Digital Impact, Technology and Innovation Department (DITID); develops a vision, strategies and plans for the Department; evaluates progress and performance against the approved work plan and budget; ensures exchange of information, experience and learning; identifies strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of DITID services in accordance with direction received from the Agency’s Information Management and Technology (IMT) Governance mechanism; develops and establishes work plans for Field IMT Offices; monitors compliance and ensures that the resourcing needs of the department are met; ensures effective use of staff and financial resources for the delivery of an efficient and timely information systems service to user departments. DIGITAL IMPACT: develops and leads strategies and initiatives with Field Offices and programs to create direct impact on the Palestine Refugee youth in the digital economy. Provides leadership and strategic guidance in the implementation of initiatives including the IT Service Center (ITSC) in Gaza and the Digital Hub in Lebanon. DIGITAL ACCELERATION: provides technical leadership and coordinates the Agency’s transformation programmes; drives strategic business and operational solutions to maximize organizational effectiveness and efficiency through: – Understanding business needs and processes by partnering with programme and support department directors and other Senior Management Team members. – Leading assessment of business process management, business intelligence and other information system requirements identified by key stakeholders. – Establishing and managing effective information management systems and laying the foundation for integrated data management. – Supporting business transformation planning based on the extraction and analysis of data, leading to the identification and implementation of staff, organizational and resource efficiency measures. DIGITAL WORKPLACE: drives modernization, efficiencies and change in the IMT infrastructure and services including the utilization of cloud services, AI/machine learning and use of other new and transformative technologies. Is responsible for defining and adjusting digital standards, directing, managing and evaluating the Agency’s Enterprise Architecture in conformity with digital policies and strategy including maintenance of existing enterprise applications, enhancement of existing enterprise applications, project management and coordination of new enterprise applications and technical oversight of Field applications in accordance with Agency standards and priorities. Manages the Digital Governance framework on behalf of the Agency; researches, develops and promulgates digital policies and strategy to ensure that UNRWA manages its digital resources in accordance with best practices; leads, coordinates and provides up-to-date strategic direction to the Agency’s digital transformation plans, systems and projects; ensures the provision of technical guidance on Information Management and Technology Services to HQs & Field Offices; ensures that DITID’s strategic and technical plans and activities are aligned with Agency Mid-Term Strategy and policy framework. Oversees the implementation of the Cybersecurity strategy, to establish, sustain and ensure proper definition, protection, security and management of the organization’s digital assets and its technology infrastructure, including effective business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures. Establishes technical infrastructure policies and work plans; directs, manages and evaluates Agency wide provision of infrastructure services. Develops and manages partnerships with other UN entities to align strategy and policy, UN service providers, commercial service providers and government bodies concerned with digital technologies; represents UNRWA in the UN Digital Technology Network. Ensures that Department and Field DITI staff maintain state of the art technical knowledge through continual professional development. As a member of the Agency’s Senior Management team, the incumbent may have specific responsibilities related to internal governance structures, as established by the Executive Office.

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. Default managerial competencies may apply. – Delivering Results – Managing Complexity and Change – Formulating Strategies and Concepts – Leading and Supervising – Deciding and Initiating Action – Planning and Organizing – Persuading and Influencing For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution with specialization in information technology, business administration or related discipline is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least fifteen years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience as IT professional is required. At least seven years at a senior international level, with responsibilities for staff and financial management is required. Demonstrated track record of leading and managing organization-wide complex Information Management and Technology (IMT) operations is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Experience in information systems applications for enterprise resource planning, education, health and social welfare administration is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent is required to travel frequently, particularly in the Agency’s area of operations. 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 Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. 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. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. 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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.