Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. This position, located within the Communication, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and ICT section within UNDRR, works with close guidance from the UNDRR Bonn office, Risk Knowledge Branch, and will be based in Bangkok, Thailand. This is a temporary project position to support the development of a new ‘Tracking System for hazardous events and disaster losses and damages’ (disaster tracking system in short, DTS). The new system will replace UNDRR’s DesInventar platform and be more comprehensive and interoperable. The overall initiative to develop a new generation of losses and damage tracking system is led by the UNDRR Bonn Office in partnership with UNDP and WMO and has a clear focus on providing services to member states to enhance their disaster losses and damages tracking capabilities. More details at https://www.undrr.org/disaster-losses-and-damages-tracking-system.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the IT Project Manager and Programmer, the overall guidance of the Information Design & Technology Solutions (IDTS) unit and in close collaboration with the UNDRR Bonn office, the incumbent will perform the following functions: Professional and Technical Expertise 1. Develop quality software code in line with industry standards and commitments to open source for Digital Transformation as promoted by the UN system. 2. Develops, maintains, or enhances existing user systems; troubleshoots and ensures continued user and stakeholder support. 3. Guides the development and maintenance of applications that require complex integrations between several systems and program elements; ensures appropriate data security and access controls. Reviews technical level of effort. 4. Researches, analyzes and evaluates new and emerging technologies; makes recommendations for their adoption and deployment by UNDRR. 5. Develops and maintains comprehensive technical documentation. Business Analysis and Product Management 1. Plans, manages and executes technology projects to support the achievement of UNDRR’s business and program goals, involving strategic planning, business analysis, stakeholder management, feasibility studies, systems analysis, design, development and implementation of highly complex information systems. 2. Provides specialized technology advice to business stakeholders and users, analyzes business and users’ requirements, and translates these into product requirements; determines application systems integration. 3. Researches, ideates, and proposes solutions for the successful rollout of the UN Data Strategy across UNDRR teams. Project Management 1. Plans and manages own tasks as part of the overall project lifecycle, estimates effort, manages risks and assumptions, resolves issues, negotiates and adheres to timelines and milestones. 2. Reports on progress, proactively engages stakeholders and expectations, solicits input and involvement as needed. 3. Contributes to any recruitment or procurement activities related to the project. General ICT 1. Co-owns (with colleagues in the IDTS unit) responsibilities related to ICT standard operating procedures, coordinates with ICT service providers for server and systems infrastructure administration, deployment operations, addresses ICT risks and incidents, and other design and IT processes. 2. Contributes at his/her level to activities related to IDTS unit budgeting (including project preparation and submissions, progress reports, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (work programme, budget, etc.). Collaborates with UNDRR ICT team to plan and implement a strategic, coherent approach to technology project development, considering data strategy, micro services, and modular/reusable approaches to technology development. Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the planning and development of highly complex digital products and information systems or other relevant specialized area. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Planning and 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in computer science, information systems/management, business, engineering or related field is required. A first-level university degree in a similar field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Project management certification (Prince2 Practitioner, PMP, or similar) is desirable. IT Service Management certification (ITIL Foundation or similar) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of highly complex digital products and information systems (including large-scale web-based applications, database design and administration and enterprise search) is required. Experience leading and implementing technology projects in a business analyst/product manager role (or similar) is required. Demonstrated technical experience with Node.js, Java, Haskell or similar is required. Experience working on disaster data is desirable. Hands-on technical experience in 5 or more of the following technologies is desirable: • Spring • Web services • Git • MySQL • PostgreSQL • React, Angular or similar front end frameworks • Linux • Azure Cloud • Docker containers • ‘Backend as a service’ technologies (Hasura or similar) • Unit and automated testing Experience with PHP and Zurb foundation responsive framework, API microservice architecture, GIS and data visualization is desirable.

Languages

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

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 for a period of 364 days. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary 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 temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. 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 temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary 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 temporary 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family friendly policies and standards of conduct. At the United Nations, 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. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professional’s programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.