• Hiring organization: UNITED NATIONS

• Job title:  INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSISTANT

• Job Category: Information and Telecommunication Technology

• Employment Type: Full time

• Application Deadline:  Feb 26, 2025

Job Description

The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was created in 2010 to strengthen the United Nations’ interaction with the African Union. UNOAU is mandated to contribute to enhancing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent United Nations advice to the African Union on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the United Nations presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering United Nations assistance to the African Union. UNOAU plays a key role in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed by the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 19 April 2017. This position is located in the Field Technology Services (FTS) of the Administrative Support Section of UNOAU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Within delegated authority, the incumbent of the post reports to the Chief of Unit, FTS.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the  Information Systems Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Under direction of the supervisor, works as part of a team in the planning, specification, design, development, implementation and support of computer application systems and programs using UN established standards for IS technologies, programming languages and tools.

• Assists with the monitoring and expedition of computer application systems development projects; provides input for the development of standard terms of reference; serves as part of the team related to various project implementations in the mission.

• Maintains functional specifications for computer application systems, programs and procedures; assists in ongoing reviews with users and developers; liaises with users to define and specify requirements; assists with version management, data recovery and deployment to user offices.

• Implements and maintains security controls for various applications; ensures that security controls in place are monitored and enforced; assists with the maintenance of accurate access control lists including rights and privileges.

• Supports Data Recovery/Business Continuity software applications and systems.

• Provides input for the preparation of various technical and user documentation for deployed computer application systems, training materials and may conduct technical presentations; assists with the drafting of correspondence and communications, including work plan revisions, as well as unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.

• Keeps abreast of developments in the field; implements benchmarking procedures and provides input for final decisions on new acquisitions.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Server/Data Centre Administration:

• Provides full range of technical assistance in the area of server operations and administration;

• Installs, configures, tests and deploys server systems hardware and software, to include Local Area Network infrastructure, Operating Systems (Unix, Linux, Mac OS), Electronic mail, Citrix, Database systems, Web Development software, Firewall systems, Network Services Server systems (DNS, DHCP, NFS, CIFS/SMB, mail relay, and various security software.

• Provides the administration, operation, technical support, and monitoring of server systems; undertakes complex trouble shooting of server systems.

• Works with other Units within the Service to maintain optimal 24/7 operations for the server systems operations.

• Provides input to identify the need for new systems or re-engineering of the existing systems

• Responds to requests from user offices and assists in deploying/configuring systems so as to conform to infrastructure standards; implements Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity (DR/BC) and backup services following standard procedures.

• Participates in the security incident response activities; assists in the implementation, operation and maintenance of security controls; performs regular vulnerability assessments of production systems to identify weaknesses as well as to determine the need for updating systems with fixes and patches.

• Assists with the drafting of documentation and reports.

Performs other related duties as required. Network Administration:

• Assists with the implementation of network projects in accordance with Mission requirements and applicable UN policies and standards.

• Assists with the review of network configuration to ensure maximum efficiency and optimal usage of resources.

• Supports the management of network backup and security enforcement policies.

• Assists other personnel and/or contractors assigned to the Network Administration Unit.

• Works as part of the team to ensure the integrity of the various internetwork connections within the missions Intra- and Extranets.

• Assists with the implementation of new and emerging technologies for voice, video, and data integration.

• Operates and maintains the various implemented Data Security projects with emphasis in network security, monitoring, resourcing, and other UN standard technologies.

• Ensures the proper administration of access control lists including rights and privileges; participates in the security incident response activities.

• Participates in planning, implementing, operating and maintaining security controls; performs regular vulnerability assessments of production systems to identify weaknesses to bring to the attention of supervisors.

• Participates in all network implementations.

• Assists with the drafting of documentation and reports.

Performs other related duties as required. IT Service Support:

• Works as part of a team of service coordination staff.

• Assists with the receipt and logging of service requests in the automated request management system.

• Assists with tasks related to scheduled service requests, including equipment replacement, equipment installation/de-installation, software installation, LAN connection, returns to stock, site surveys, etc.

• Assists with the provision of basic training to end-users on the use of standard systems and applications.

• Provides input into the eventual drafts for end-user and/or technical documentation.

• Logs all actions in the automated tracking system, including site survey information, steps taken to resolve problems or to complete tasks, problems encountered, current status, escalation status, and other related metrics.

• Escalates problems/tasks to the appropriate parties in accordance with established procedures; monitors problems to resolution; detects problem patterns and consults with supervisor to recommend solutions.

• Assists with quality assurance procedures to ensure client satisfaction.

• Keeps abreast of developments in  information systems and technology in order to make recommendations to supervisors.

• Serves as a team member for various special projects within FTS .

Performs other related duties as required. ICT Security/ DRBC:

• Works as part of the team responsible for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plan implemented by the mission.

• Assists with the implementation and testing of DRBC plans, and works within various teams related to DRBC management.

• Installs, operates and maintains multi-user information security systems including firewalls, malware detection/prevention systems, intrusion detection/prevention, network access controls, proxy servers, VPN, encryption, URL and content filtering systems in accordance with organizational technology security standards.

• Provides input for other FTS Units to determine security requirements and integration of these requirements in system design and operations.

• Maintains security procedures, including user identification and access control processes to specific FTS resources and data.

• Acts upon all security incidents and violations, including reporting them immediately to the FTS Security Coordinator; participates in incidents management activities.

• Assists with the regular security assessments of production FTS resources to identify potential weaknesses for referral to supervisors; performs risk analysis and provide data for further analysis by supervisors.

• Maintains the scheduled updates for FTS systems with fixes and patches.

• 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.

• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Common Duties:

• Other duties and responsibilities common to the specialties above include, but are not limited to:

• Providing general assistance across the various fields of ICT support services in the mission.

• Being part of cross-functional teams within FTS in order to assist with ICT related projects.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

• A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning and installation of complex  Information Systems, equipment, and networks is required.

• At least three (3) years of experience at the international level is desirable.

• Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation engaging with the African Union or similar international organization or non-governmental organization, in a conflict or post conflict settling is required.

• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

• Experience in FTS Assets Management such as expandable, non-expandable, write off, and reporting is desirable.

• Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system Acquisition processes, including raising of shopping cart is required.

• Experience in conducting technical evaluations for FTS related goods and services is required.

• Experience in implementing high availability networking solutions, Data Center Management, Programming network devices, and integrating data and voice networks, managing Active Directory and user access is required.

• Experience in using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Processing (ERP) tools is required.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in English, both oral and written 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 may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by 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 therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

• 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.

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.

Location: Addis Ababa

How to Apply

Application using THIS LINK

United Nations Considerations