Result of Service

The ultimate result of the service is to support ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC) in implementing project activities for the Arab SMEs Summit, which involve platforms development, network management, system administration, cybersecurity, hardware procurement, IT policy enforcement, vendor coordination, and staff IT training.

Work Location

Amman

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Individual Contractors (IC) services are needed to assist ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC) in implementing its project activities related to the organization of the Arab SMEs Summit.

The IC will work under the supervision of the Executive Director of The ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC).

In particular, the IT Officer will be tasked to do the following:

• Overseeing the setup, configuration, and maintenance of the organization’s network infrastructure to ensure smooth and secure data communication.
• Managing servers, operating systems, software applications and platforms development to ensure optimal performance, security, and availability.
• Providing technical support to staff, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and assisting with IT-related inquiries.
• Implementing and maintaining cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, and data encryption, to protect the organization’s digital assets.
• Establishing regular data backup procedures and creating disaster recovery plans to minimize data loss in case of system failures or breaches.
• Ensuring that software applications and systems are up-to-date with the latest patches and updates to address security vulnerabilities.
• Managing the procurement, installation, and maintenance of hardware equipment such as computers, printers, and networking devices.
• Developing and enforcing IT policies and procedures to guide staff in the proper use of technology resources and ensure compliance with security protocols.
• Coordinating with external vendors for IT-related services, including software licenses, hardware maintenance, and technical support.
• Providing training sessions to employees on the proper use of technology tools, cybersecurity best practices, and other relevant IT topics.
• Tracking and managing the organization’s IT assets, including hardware, software licenses, and peripherals.
• Overseeing the adoption and management of cloud-based services, such as cloud storage and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications.
• Setting up and maintaining communication and collaboration tools, such as email systems, video conferencing platforms, and project management software.
• Assisting in the development and management of the IT budget, including cost estimation, resource allocation, and expense tracking.
• Collaborating with other departments to understand their technology needs and aligning IT strategies with the organization’s goals and growth plans.
• Undertaking additional tasks and assignments as delegated.

The individual contractor will also assist in various administrative services through coordination and support of consultation meetings on the above subject.

Qualifications/special skills

A bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Business or IT Management is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
A minimum of 3 years of professional work experience in developing and maintaining software platforms or applications, with proficiency in relevant programming languages and technologies is required.
Network Management: practical experience in designing, configuring, and managing network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and firewalls, with a strong understanding of network protocols and security is required.
System Administration: Demonstrated expertise in system administration, including the setup, maintenance, and resolution of server-related issues is desirable.
Hardware Procurement: Proven experience in hardware procurement and vendor management, including contract negotiations and ensuring cost-effective solutions is desirable.
Vendor Coordination: Good experience in coordinating with IT vendors, managing service-level agreements (SLAs), and ensuring the successful delivery of outsourced IT services is desirable.
Flexibility: Adaptability to changing tasks, roles, and responsibilities in dynamic work environments is desirable.

Languages

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in Arabic and English are required.

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

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.