Chief, Information Management Communications and Technology Section

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 157,212 USD and 197,023 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Information Management, Communications and Technology Section, Division of Administration. The Chief of Section reports directly to the Director of Administration.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Administration, the incumbent will be expected to carry out the following duties:

1. Provides policy guidance to the Director, Division of Administration on ICT strategy development and management of the implementation of ICT strategy, policies and procedures;
2. Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; ensures that work programmes are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section and in liaison with other organizations and agencies as appropriate;
3. Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section; provides substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others;
4. Conceptualizes, develops strategies for and oversees ICT projects' lifecycle closely: requirement analysis, specification, design, development, testing, deployment and support;
5. Leads and coaches Section's staff to adhere to methodologies;

6. Plans and directs major systems projects of significant importance to the institution, or major components of these complex systems which typically impact critical operations and large or multiple users;

7. Develops and monitors performance measures in ICT services to support business continuity and disaster recovery for ESCAP, including its remote offices;

8. Ensures the development of high standard of ICT service delivery, procedures and practices to maintain a stable and effective systems environment, as well as ensuring client satisfaction of the service;
9. Develops innovative solutions and defines business models for cost recovery depending on services provided;
10. Facilitates communications with digital and ICT experts in the broader UN family to build coordinated efforts towards digital transformation, in line with the Secretary-General’s strategy;
11. Leverages the use of technology, best business practices, project management, data analytics, creativity and innovative thinking for better business intelligence, decision support and knowledge management;
12. Develops strategies and programmes related to data management and governance and provides strategic advice and support to the Management of ESCAP in relation to transforming ESCAP’s business model through digital transformation technologies;
13. Contributes to the reporting on budget performance, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports;
14. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data;
15. Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery;
16. Carries out administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (ePerformance), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates;
17. Recruits staff for Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values;
18. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision;
19. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries;
20. Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism - Demonstrated knowledge of ICT fields of work; - Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in the IT industry; - Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others; - Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; - 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; - Knowledge of systems design, and development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex information systems; - Knowledge of evolving Artificial Intelligence tools and digital transformation technologies; - Ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters; - Knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s). - Ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives; - Ability to advise senior management on complex systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters; - Ability to improve business processes and approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities. Knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s); strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues; - The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management; - 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.

Accountability -Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; -Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality Standards; -Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; -Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; -Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity -Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; -Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet clients’ needs; -Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; -Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"; -Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; -Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Leadership -Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; -Empowers others to translate vision into results; -Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; -Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; -Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; -Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; -Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Managing Performance -Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; -Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; -Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; -Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; -Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; -Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; -Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; -Appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, information technology, or related fields is required. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Certification in project management such as PRINCE2 or any other industry recognized certification is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, and execution of ICT strategy, project lifecycle management and developing and implementing procedures and practices for ICT standards is required.

A minimum of six years of international and supervisory experience in leading IT teams, in information technology infrastructure (including cloud infrastructure), leadership, customer relationship management and resource management, is required.

Experience in leading large scale change management project(s) related to ICT, including briefings or presentations to senior management and external stakeholders on key initiatives and projects is required.

Experience in leading the implementation of digital transformation using innovative solutions, such as Artificial Intelligence, is required.

Experience in cost recovery strategies is desirable.

Experience in maintaining up-to-date knowledge of ICT technological applications, including future projections on the potentials of current and new technologies, is desirable.

Experience providing policy advice to senior managers on systems development in a changing business environment is desirable.

Experience in managing restructuring processes, including realignment of workforce is desirable.

Experience in performing or supervising information security assessments and in providing technical advice on the design of highly secure information technology solutions is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be assessed through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

This is a temporary position and will initially be available for a period of 6 months.

If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service.

Subject to availability of funding for the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.