Associate Officer ICT

Volunteering IT & Telecom Admin

Contract

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The UNV Associate Officer ICT will contribute to these objectives by providing technical and operational support for security-related ICT systems, databases, applications and infrastructure, strengthening system reliability, information management, operational continuity and the Security Section's capacity to respond effectively to evolving security requirements. On 15 June 2026, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2822 (2026), extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027. The Mission's mandate, as established under resolution 2626 (2022) and subsequently extended, includes promoting and facilitating humanitarian assistance, supporting human rights and the rights of women and girls, advancing inclusive governance, strengthening resilience and economic stability, and exercising good offices to promote constructive engagement, peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Security Council has underscored the critical importance of UNAMA's continued presence, together with United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, throughout Afghanistan, and the need to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel. In this context, the UNAMA Security Section supports the implementation of the Mission's mandate by facilitating the safe and secure conduct of United Nations operations in a complex and challenging security environment. The Security Section relies on specialized and integrated information and communications technology (ICT) systems to support the protection of United Nations personnel, premises, assets and operations. These include electronic identification and access-control platforms, Pass & ID servers and databases, physical security and surveillance systems, security communications infrastructure, personnel-accountability applications and operational security information-management tools across Kabul and field duty stations. These systems support countrywide identification and badging, personnel tracking, real-time Who-Is-In/Who-Is-Out information, emergency recall and bunker accountability, and timely operational visibility for the Security Operations Centre (SOC), Country Security Operations Centre (C-SOC), Guard Force and other authorized security components. They also facilitate incident analysis, access-log retrieval, identity verification, information integrity and the secure management of operational security records.

The Associate Officer ICT assignment provides dedicated technical capacity for the development, administration, integration, maintenance and continuous improvement of these mission-critical systems, in coordination with UNAMA ICT and other responsible technical service providers. Particular emphasis is placed on system availability, information security, operational resilience, emergency preparedness, backup and recovery arrangements, technical documentation and structured knowledge transfer to ensure the continuity and reliability of security-related ICT services throughout Afghanistan.

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Security Officer (DCSO), or designated representative, and in close coordination with UNAMA ICT and relevant Security Section technical and operational units, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

A. Security Information Systems, Applications and Identity Management

• Administer, maintain, enhance and, where required, develop the Security Section's databases, web-based applications, SharePoint solutions and electronic information-management systems, ensuring functionality, information security, data integrity and operational reliability. • Provide technical administration and support for the Security Section's Pass & ID infrastructure, including identification databases, badge-production applications, associated servers and electronic identification services for UNAMA and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes operating in Afghanistan. • Support the modernization, interoperability and authorized integration of electronic identification and access-control systems with relevant United Nations platforms, including TRIP and FSS, in coordination with designated system owners and technical service providers. • Develop, maintain and improve electronic daily staff lists, personnel-accountability applications, security incident reporting and analysis tools, and other customized applications supporting operational security information management. • Support the administration and technical functionality of identity-verification systems, access-control records, authorized access-log retrieval and electronic personnel-tracking applications, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of security-related information.

B. Operational Security ICT Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity

• Provide specialized technical support to information and communications systems supporting the Security Operations Centre (SOC), Country Security Operations Centre (C-SOC), Guard Force and other designated Security Section units, including system monitoring, troubleshooting, service restoration and operational continuity. • Support the installation, configuration, maintenance and technical interoperability of ICT-enabled physical security systems, including electronic access control, surveillance and CCTV interfaces, personnel-tracking applications, perimeter-security technologies and security communications infrastructure, within assigned technical responsibilities. • Support the technical readiness and reliable operation of electronic systems used for emergency preparedness, personnel accountability, emergency recall, real-time Who-Is-In/Who-Is-Out information, bunker accountability and other authorized security emergency-management arrangements. • Assist in maintaining the availability, resilience and continuity of mission-critical security ICT services, including the identification of technical vulnerabilities, escalation of system disruptions, implementation of approved corrective measures and coordination of technical recovery arrangements. • Implement and periodically test approved data backup, restoration, system-recovery and information-protection procedures, maintaining accurate technical records and supporting continuity arrangements for critical security applications. • Provide technical assistance in the assessment and resolution of hardware, software, network connectivity and system-integration issues affecting security operations, coordinating with UNAMA ICT and other responsible technical service providers as required.

C. Technical Coordination, Documentation, Capacity Development and Knowledge Transfer

• Liaise with Security Section operational units and relevant ICT service providers to identify technical requirements, assess system performance and recommend improvements to electronic security systems, operational applications and information-management processes. • Contribute to the preparation of technical specifications, functional requirements and assessments for the procurement, replacement, and upgrading and maintenance of ICT equipment, software and electronic security technologies, in accordance with applicable United Nations procedures. • Develop and maintain technical standard operating procedures, system documentation, user instructions, configuration records, troubleshooting guidance and relevant information-security controls. • Provide technical guidance, user orientation, practical training and workshops for Security Section personnel in Kabul and field duty stations on identification systems, security applications, electronic accountability tools and other assigned ICT services. • Support structured knowledge transfer, technical handover, system documentation and capacity development to ensure continuity of critical security ICT services during personnel transitions and organizational changes. • Coordinate with relevant technical and operational counterparts on authorized system upgrades, application integration, information-security requirements, technical risk mitigation and the implementation of approved system improvements. • Perform other related ICT duties consistent with the assignment and delegated responsibilities.

Communication Integrity Professionalism Technological Awareness Working in Teams

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in information and communications technology (ICT), including hands-on work with databases, applications and integrated information systems, is required. Demonstrated hands-on experience developing or substantively enhancing databases and operational applications, including implementing functional improvements, troubleshooting application issues and maintaining data integrity, is required. • Demonstrated experience in developing, administering, maintaining and troubleshooting secure web-based information systems and operational ICT applications, including access controls, protection of sensitive information, system reliability, technical documentation, operational continuity, and implementation or testing of backup and restoration arrangements, is required. • Demonstrated hands-on experience in developing, enhancing or integrating databases and operational information-management systems, including implementing, upgrading or maintaining interfaces and data exchanges supporting electronic identification, access control, identity management, personnel accountability, electronic staff lists, security incident reporting and analysis, or comparable operational applications, is required. • Demonstrated experience in the technical operation, administration, maintenance or support of ICT-enabled security systems used in Security Operations Centres, emergency preparedness and response, electronic surveillance, security communications or personnel-accountability functions is required.

Desirable Experience and Training • Experience delivering ICT support in international field operations, complex or high-risk environments, or geographically dispersed duty stations is desirable. • Relevant professional training or certifications in information security, ICT service continuity, security risk management, emergency preparedness, security operations management or security information systems are desirable. • Experience delivering practical technical training, user orientation or structured knowledge transfer for ICT applications and operational information systems is desirable.

Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.

Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. https://www.unv.org/

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Added 1 month ago - Updated 4 days ago - Source: unv.org