Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the in the Field Technology Services (FTS) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), duty station Bangui. The Information System Assistant will report to the Telecommunications Officer.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Information Systems Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:
• Assists with the planning of all major information systems projects within the Mission, monitoring the progress of the systems analysis, design, development, testing and implementation of new, moderately complex systems, and/or, participates as a member of a team with responsibility for major components of more complex systems.
• Assists with the management of the Information Systems budget, formulating and monitoring budget allocations and expenditures, verifying funding and ensuring no overrun occurs.
• Supports the development of technical specifications for the procurement of equipment and contractual services and coordinates the technical evaluation of offers and proposals received.
• Handles all aspects of contract administration including the establishment of service level agreements with vendors and chargeback policy for users.
• Assists the team with the development of strategies to implement global information systems projects originating out of DOS/OICT and the Mission.
• Assists the team with the development, implementation and monitoring of information systems standards, guidelines, and procedures.
• Assists the team with the development of detailed systems and other functional specifications and user documentation as required.
• Provides advice to users, analyzing user requirements and translating these into new applications.
• Determines application systems integration and linkage issues.
• Maintains, upgrades, or enhances existing user systems.
• Troubleshoots and provides continuing support, to include resolving difficult problems, advising on the use of new techniques, monitoring transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness of assigned systems, etc.
• Supports the team with the development of training materials, operating and user manuals and trains staff in the use of assigned systems.
• Assists with the development of disaster recovery plans relating to information systems and ensures appropriate planning and training of those responsible.
• Researches, analyses, and evaluates new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment.
• Participates in writing reports and papers on systems-related topics, system requirements, information strategy etc.
• Develops the yearly work plan, mentors, and supervises personnel of the Unit. Internetworking and Infrastructure.
• Participates in the development of plans for major IT systems’ projects within the mission, monitoring the progress of the design, installation and commissioning of various networks and systems.
• Contributes to the maintenance of internet working systems that includes routers and switches, operating systems’ platforms, database management systems, servers, workstations, and related equipment.
• Devises and administers disaster recovery plans; provides training for support staff in implementing these plans to ensure optimal readiness.
• Shares responsibility for the proper implementation of backup and recovery procedures.
• Maintains a regular review of the network resources access control, data security, and server and data stores security systems.
• Ensures all information security systems are properly configured and maintained.
• Supports the user access control for network resources and overall network security. Implements new technologies approved by UN office of information technology.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff, consultants, etc.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of organizational information infrastructure, including hardware, software and application systems. Knowledge of relevant programming language(s) and ability to use programming skills to develop information 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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

High school or equivalent diploma is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Prince 2 and ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) certificates are desirable.

Work Experience

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in Information Systems and Technology, or related area is required.

Experience providing services in the field of Information Systems and Technology or related area to or in a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization is desirable.

Experience in the field of information systems or related area in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Experience in providing ICT Project Management services is desirable.

Experience using System Analysis Program – enterprise resource planning (SAP ERP) in managing ICT asset life cycle 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

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.