Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. UNON supports the programme implementation of the UN Environment (UNE) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (www.unon.org).

The post is located in the Infrastructure Management Section (IMS) of the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) in UNON, Nairobi.

Under the general guidance of the Chief, UNON/ICTS/IMS and the direct supervision of the Chief UNON/ICTS/IMS/Network and Communications Unit (NCU) the incumbent will be responsible for day-to-day network administration, network security and technology research. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Network Administration:
a) Participate in the management of UNON’s Local Area Network including Wireless Network and Wide area Network.
b) Analyze and plan for the implementation of network projects in accordance with applicable UN policies and standards.
c) Review network configuration ensuring maximum efficiency and optimal usage of resources.
d) Participate in the management of network backup and security enforcement policies.
e) Assist with and supervise the work of personnel and/or contractors assigned to the Network Security Unit.
f) Assist with the implementation of new and emerging technologies for data integration.
g) Support the design, implementation and maintenance of Data Security projects with emphasis in network security, monitoring, resourcing, and other UN standard technologies.
h) Maintain properly administered access control lists including rights and privileges.
i) Create scripts in python and ansible to automate repetitive network task. Develop and design solutions around network automation and programmability.
j) Participate in major network implementations.
k) Participate in creating and updating network documentation and reviewing of syslog data.
l) Liaise with UNON service desk to troubleshoot any network related problems.
m) Log-in service requests and update work orders in accordance with established procedure; distribute work assignments and monitor progress.
n) Log all actions in the work order tracking system, steps taken to resolve problem or to complete task, problems encountered and current status.
o) Acts as problem escalation point for technical staff at lower levels; escalate problems/tasks to the appropriate parties in accordance with established procedure.
p) Monitor problems to resolution; detect problem patterns and recommend solutions.
q) Perform quality assurance procedures to ensure client satisfaction.
r) Perform other related duties as required.

2. Network Security:
a) Participate in planning, implementing, operating and maintaining security controls.
b) Perform regular vulnerability assessments of production systems to identify weaknesses and determine the need for security updates and fixes.
c) Draft documentation and reports.
d) Implement information systems policies, strategies and activities of the Information and Communication Technology Services.
e) Participate in analysis of IDS alerts and regular review of network equipment operating system and corresponding vendor security advisories.
f) Ensure all network equipment is adequately monitored with appropriate alert escalation.

3. Technology Research:
a) Carry out research and evaluation of hardware, software and communication products and assist in establishing and maintaining performance indicators.
b) Participate in testing and evaluating new tools and technologies and making recommendations on the adaptation of such tools to the immediate supervisor.
c) Draft end-user and/or technical documentation.
d) Keep abreast of developments in information systems and technology in order to make recommendations to supervisors.
e) Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
f) Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

4. Perform any other relevant duties.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of information technology and applications, including computer system network; good technical skills, ability to conduct network maintenance, provide server services and user support; the ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision making; show pride in work and in achievements; demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; remain calm in stressful situations.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Completion of secondary education/ high school diploma is required.

A minimum of CCNP Routing and Switching and Devnet are required.

Additional technical trainings or certifications with emphasis on Network Routing and Switching, Intrusion Detection Systems, Network Programmability and Automation and Network Security and Wireless is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in the information technology in the areas of Routing and Switching, Python Scripting and Network Automation, Troubleshooting, Wireless and Network Security is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first level University degree.

Strong technical skills in network design, implementation, troubleshooting, and management is required.

Familiarity with various vendor network equipment (Cisco, Checkpoint, Fortinet, Ruckus) is required.

One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of equals a rating of’ confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is on a local basis and is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension subject to legislative body funding availability. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

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.

Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

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.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

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.