ICT Specialist

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

General Context:
Encompassing 45 countries, RBA is UNDP’s largest Regional Bureau, with almost one third of the countries in crisis or post-crisis situations. To help the Africa region overcome its development challenges, UNDP’s strategic goal in Africa is to develop the region’s capacity to promote pro-poor growth and accountability (CD-PGA), as a strategy for accelerating its progress towards achieving the SDGs. Achieving this strategic goal requires a refocusing of UNDP’s resources in the region on capacity development, and strengthening its own internal capacity in required substantive and managerial areas. RBA will achieve this goal by enhancing its standards of efficiency and accountability in a number of key functions including: i) innovative region-wide strategic thinking, advocacy and partnerships; ii) translation of corporate and RBA strategies and goals into successful capacity development results on the ground; iii) more strategic partnerships and support to UN reform; and iv) continuous upgrading and enhancement of in-house substantive and managerial effectiveness and accountability.

Specific Post Context:
ICT remains a critical area in RBA’s efforts to ensure that technology is appropriately harnessed to strengthen business processes and results throughout the region, and especially in Country Offices where poor local infrastructure has exacerbated an IT situation that lags far behind other regions. As recommended by the RBA review, the Bureau is currently working with OIMT and other central units handling IT issues to develop and implement an Africa-specific IT strategy that takes full account of the special needs of the Africa region.

The present ICT Specialist position is part of the response to this need. Reporting directly to the Chief of Management Support Unit, the ICT Specialist is responsible for ensuring that RBA IT issues are consolidated, analyzed and dealt with in a comprehensive manner with a focus on strengthening business processes. S/he is responsible for developing RBA specific IT solutions (integrating business solutions, fostering efficiencies and knowledge sharing) and undertaking the required capacity building of staff and users as well as promoting an IT development agenda. S/he works in permanent liaison with OIMT to ensure full understanding of the critical issues confronting ICT in the Africa region and seek out solutions to address them.

Duties and Responsibilities

1). Development and Implementation of an RBA-specific business tools.

2). Operation, troubleshooting, maintenance and management of the ICT infrastructure.

3). Co-ordination and management of ICT projects and tasks and capacity building for RBA NY.

Function 1: Development and Implementation of RBA-specific business tools

Develops RBA Analytics Tools which underpin the Bureau oversight function and business processes;

Elicits, analyzes and validates business requirements, translates business requirements into application functionality, specifications, and test plans.;

Presents RBA data and performance metrics in a visual, dynamic fashion to facilitate timely review and decision making by RBA HQ and CO management. Using charting techniques, helps create various type of visualizations and dashboards;

Manages the current web application to ensure optimum performance; troubleshoots and provides continuing user support;

Develops new functionalities and strive on providing the best user experience;

Monitors infrastructural components of UNDP information systems and suggest options to improved designs;

Liaises with staff in business units, external IT specialists, and provides specialized advice to users;

Develops business systems documentation;

Maintains effective communications with end users.

Expected results:
Fully functioning and comprehensive RBA Analytics system developed, implemented and maintained.

Function 2: Operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and management of ICT infrastructure

Ensures full compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and procedures;

Operates network utility infrastructure and procedures and manages provision of user access;

Troubleshoots and monitors network problems;

Provides timely and efficient response to user needs;

Implements back up and restoration procedures for local drives and follows up on implementation of security measures;

Installs Hardware & Equipment, sets up and maintains software packages, and provides effective troubleshooting;

Liaises with OIMT on technological issues including upgrades, system backup functions, adopting and configuring new software and hardware standards;

Liaises with OAS on asset management issues, including tracking of RBA computing resources in ATLAS;

Arranges for the required user training so that users can optimally use ICT resources and standard corporate packages;

Ensures the proper maintenance of an up-to-date inventory of both software and hardware as well as spare parts.

Expected results:
Better performing ICT systems at RBA headquarters, regional service centers and COs.

Function 3: Supports RBA Content Management, Knowledge Sharing and External Outreach.

Support RBA external websites:
Provides web support services for UNDP Africa website(s) and online workspaces for RBA teams;

Handle the contract administration with external vendors;

Ensures adequate usage of the RBA Content Management System for knowledge sharing and management;

Maintains the Content Management System, and monitors publication of new materials on the portal, removing outdated/irrelevant materials, migrates existing documents and applications and updates links in the Document Repository;

Ensures the successful implementation of specific ICT projects on an on-demand basis from the Directorate;

Participates in training for regional and CO staff;

Ensures the implementation of new systems or upgrades to UNDP HQ ICT systems ;

Identifies needs and arranges for the required technical training of staff at RBA HQ in related IT products systems.

Expected Results:
Successful implementation of an RBA knowledge management system and streamlined usage of the RBA content management system.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

Functional competencies

Solid knowledge and experience of programming languages including PHP, HTML, CSS3, JavaScript, JQuery, JSon, XML and SQL. Experience in .NET & SharePoint technologies would be an asset;

Ability to provide IT support services including IT hardware/ infrastructure support, ERP support, web technology, HTML, and UNDP’s web server and fire wall protocols;

In-depth knowledge of corporate systems and UNDP corporate ICT strategy technical standards and infrastructure;

Knowledge of Windows 7/8/10, Microsoft Office Suite, Database management and Graphics software and other IT applications support, web design and maintenance;

Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, elaboration and implementation of new systems experience working in an international organization in an administrative capacity;

Ability to develop systems for structuring, codifying and providing access to information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
Master’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or other ICT-related studies. Professional certification will be an added value;

Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience is required in software development, web design and use of hardware/software, telecommunications facilities, knowledge of database packages.

Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English. Knowledge of French is an asset.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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