Background Information - Job-specific

Under the overall guidance of the direct supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Multi-Country Office ICT Officer is responsible for the information technology related services and functions to support UNOPS in managing its operations. The ICT Officer promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Multi-Country Office ICT Officer will supervise staff of the ICT Unit. S/he works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and project teams in the Regional Office or Operations/Project Centre and UNOPS HQ staff ensuring successful performance in ICT management.

 Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions  

1. ICT Management
2. Applications
3. Network Administration 
4. Telecommunications
5. Supervisory responsibilities (applicable if supervising staff)
6. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Provides effective ICT management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assessment and evaluation of information technology capacity and requirements of the office in terms of updating hardware and software to acceptable global levels. Identification and prioritization of areas where improvements need to be addressed to be able to effectively support the organization in achieving its goals and priorities. Provision of cost implications and benefits of recommendation for budget consideration.
• Contribution to the planning of global IT strategies and policies by representing the office and providing feedback on local IT requirements, technical capacity in terms of web technology, support and skills available.
• Conduct of ongoing proactive evaluation of system performance, identifying areas of inefficiencies and potential problems. Collaboration with management for corrective actions to achieve improved and uninterrupted services. Recommendation of back-up options in potential problem areas that are beyond one’s control.
• Ensuring security of information technology operation at all times. Development of back-up programmes and ensuring strict implementation.
• Establishment of control systems to ensure that all information technology equipment is maintained regularly and in proper working condition.
• Interaction with HQ and IT staff in other UN agencies in the area and participation in information exchange meetings for systems co-ordination, consistency in direction, policy and standards; also for knowledge sharing on software expertise

Identifies, introduces and maintains software applications, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of new areas where computerization is advantageous and applicable. Recommendation of applicable software packages to use, understanding user/clients specification, needs and requirements to achieve client satisfaction.
• Maintenance of application systems and in collaboration with clients/users mutual agreement on changes/modifications to existing programs and reports generated to ensure continued system effectiveness and relevance. Provision of reports, ad hoc or otherwise, required for management information and as tool for decision-making.

Provides efficient network administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Up to date with changes in the technology and availability in the area.
• Implementation of corporate information technology policy changes applicable to the office, if any, to be compatible and up to par with other offices and achieve global IT plan.
• Manage and Monitor the performance of the network, internet and other resources and provide recommendations to improve the internet connectivity and network security.
• Management and maintenance of equipment and applications associated with electronic mail system;
• Maintenance of measures in place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures including backup and restoration of both server and local storage facilities.

Provides efficient telecommunications service, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Recommendation of strategies to ensure and improve global connectivity and telecommunication facilities.
• Proactive maintenance of telecommunications equipment to avoid interruption of service.

Undertakes supervisory responsibilities (applicable if supervising staff), focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Establishment of work plans, standards for performance evaluation, indicators for work progress and achievements, together with supervisee. Timely corrective actions to achieve objectives and deadlines. 
• Technical guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved in line with work objectives.
• Assessment and recommendation of training needs to ensure skills are updated in accordance with relevant state of the art technology.

 Provides support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on IT-related topics to ensure personnel have sufficient ICT knowledge to perform their primary functions.
• Advice to management, clients and colleagues on subject matter expertise 
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in IT

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency of the country office in ICT management, technical stability and reliability of the installed systems and success in introduction and implementation of ICT strategies and policies. Appropriate delivery of services ensures client satisfaction and enhances credibility of UNOPS as an effective and efficient organization in the ICT sector.

 Functional competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to practice areas
• Develops deep understanding in ICT Management
• Promotes learning environment in the office
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills 

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Keen ability to apply theoretical and technical skills.
• Good communication skills for explaining technical subject to users with different levels of technical literacy and understanding user requirements described in layman’s term. 
• Good interpersonal skills for building alliances and client services.    
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Job Requirements

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 

• A first University degree (Bachelor’s) in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, Information Management or related discipline is required.
• An advanced university degree (Master's) in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, Information Management or related discipline with 2 years of work experience is an added advantage.

Experience

• Two (2) years of relevant experience with a combination with a Bachelors Degree in the field of information technology and/or telecommunication and systems, preferably in an international development environment.  
• Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
• Good working knowledge and skills on the Google Workspace (i.e. Google Drive, Google meet, docs, sheets, slides, calendar, emails, Google forms, etc.) is an added advantage.

Skills 

• Information Technology - Information technology ( 2 years) - required 
• Information Technology - Troubleshooting ( 2 years) - required 
• Information Technology - Client/Support Services ( 2 years)
• Information Technology - Networking and Security - (Optional)
• Information Technology - Cisco LAN/WAN Management (Optional)
• Information Technology - MS Office (Optional)
• Information Technology - Google Suite applications (Optional)
• Information Technology - Operating System :Windows Variant (Server 2003, Server 2008) (Optional)
• Information Technology - IS Disaster Recovery (Optional)
• Information Technology - Windows Server (Optional)
• Information Technology - Information Security (Optional)

Certifications

Professional certification Such as Cisco CCNA or Microsoft certification is desirable.  

Language requirements

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Fluency in the local language (Amharic) is required
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should use the link below for applying.

CLICK HERE

Qualified females are highly encouraged to apply