Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located centrally in the Division of Administration (DoA) of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Information and Communication Technology Service (ICTS), Operations Management Section (OMS). The incumbent will report to the Chief of the ICT Service Delivery Unit.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Information Systems Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Manages a team of ICT technicians responsible for second and third-level support for services provided by the unit, including data center, cloud and hybrid hosting, server management, storage and backup systems, business continuity, and disaster recovery services. • Manages projects involving feasibility studies, systems analysis, design, development, and implementation of new, moderately complex ICT systems, develops project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics, and performance measures. • Develops detailed system and other functional specifications and user documentation for major systems. • Provides specialized advice to users, analyzing users’ 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 user support, including resolving difficult problems, advising on the use of new techniques, monitoring transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness of assigned systems, etc. • Maintains and operates computer systems that require integration of many interrelated systems and program elements; ensures appropriate cybersecurity and access controls considering both local and remote threats and risks. • Organizes and performs unit and integrated testing, designing and utilizing test bases; assists users in acceptance testing. • Develops training materials, operating, and user manuals; trains staff in assigned systems. • Develops disaster recovery plans and ensures appropriate planning and training of those responsible. • Researches, analyzes, and evaluates new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment. • Writes reports and papers on systems-related topics, team performance and KPIs, system requirements, information strategy, scope of work for procurement activities (RFPs, ITBs), vendor performance evaluations, etc. • Facilitates communications between ICTS and its clients for good client relations. Serves as coordinator 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. • Handles all aspects of contract administration including the establishment of service level agreements with vendors and chargeback policy for users. • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff, consultants, etc. • Performs service description assessments to determine utility and warranty of current services, and update service catalogue descriptions accordingly. • Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of information technology/information management, particularly in service design and support, process engineering, systems analysis, database design and programming. Knowledge of Cybersecurity controls in a server environment, threat hunting techniques and incident response management. Knowledge of server management tools (SCCM, Ansible) and operating systems (Linux and Windows). Knowledge of server and application virtualization and hypervisors (Citrix, Docker, VMWare, HyperV, KVM). Knowledge of physical infrastructure design and operations, including hardware and software maintenance requirements. Good knowledge of United Nations information infrastructure and Enterprise Architecture is an asset. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, to include proficiency in the development and implementation of systems of moderate size/complexity. Knowledge of interactive systems; good knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and United Nations ICT strategy as it relates to user area(s); independently maintains assigned systems and develops innovative approaches to resolve a wide range of issues/problems. 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. 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. Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) foundation certificate is desirable. Formal certification in Cybersecurity (such as Cisco CyberOPS, CompTIA Security+ or equivalent) is desirable. Project management certification (such as PRINCE2) is desirable. Formal training in Cisco Datacenter networking (ACI) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required. Experience in operation of medium to large-scale ICT services, particularly in systems management, datacenter and network administration is desirable. Proven experience in leading technical teams, assigning tasks and managing complex technical services and projects is desirable. Experience with recent breeds of software defined networking, back office operating systems and virtualization techniques is desirable. Experience with information infrastructure and Enterprise Architecture in the UN Common System is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals 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.