Chief of Unit, Information Systems and Telecommunications

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located within the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Laayoune. The Chief of Unit, Information Systems and Telecommunications reports to the Chief of Operations and Resource Management (CORM) or her/his designate.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Information Systems and Telecommunications will be responsible for the following duties: •Manages the daily operation of the work related to communications and information technology. •Plans and directs all major communications and IT systems projects within the mission, monitoring the progress of the design, installation and commissioning of the various networks and systems. •Plans and prepares the inputs for the work program; provides leadership, guidance, and mentoring for staff, and fosters teamwork and improved communications among all staff of the Unit; leads the development of training modules and other training activities in all aspects of information and Communications Technology (ICT); coordinates and oversees delivery of ICT training to staff and other users in the mission. •Takes the lead in the preparation of the mission's ICT budget; coordinates the generation of reports to the relevant UNHQ finance and budget review bodies as required. •Manages the acquisition of goods and services; coordinates needs assessments and the establishing of benchmarks as well as preparation of Statement of Works (SOWs) and Request for Proposals (RFPs) in coordination with the Procurement office to establish and manage contracts. •Determines the need for testing/evaluating new products and technologies; provides leadership in introducing technological changes, and ensures that proper change management procedures and guidelines are in place and adhered to. •Ensures proper inventory control and asset management of ICT systems and services in coordination with the mission's Property and Inventory Control Unit; oversees all the ICT resources and manages them in accordance with the approved ratios. •Serves as the main liaison, and represents the service, with its clients; negotiates and coordinates with relevant national authorities with respect to ICT policy and related matters; ensures effective coordination with various UN agencies in order to maximize possibilities of inter-agency collaboration in the field of IT and Telecommunications. •Serves on various committees and review bodies within the mission. •Performs other duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of Information Systems and Telecommunications Technologies for large and complex organisational environments; ability to organise and manage diverse and cross-functional groups, across geographically dispersed locations, for large-scale regional and, where applicable, inter-mission projects in conflict and post conflict areas; knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial, procurement and human resources policies and procedures; ability to provide specialized advice on a broad range of ICT issues to the Senior Management of the Mission; 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

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.

•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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Telecommunications, Information Systems, Geospatial Technology or related areas. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Information and Telecommunications Systems or related area is required. Experience in the strategic global planning and design of highly-complex Information and Telecommunications networks and systems or related area is required. Proven track record of managing and delivering highly complex projects and experience in integrating large-scale Information and Telecommunications Systems or related area is required 2 years' experience providing services in Information and Telecommunications Systems or related areas in or to a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization is desirable. 2 years ’ experience in Information and Telecommunications Systems or related areas in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Two years’ managerial experience is desirable. Experience in budget, staffing and performance management and reporting is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable.

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.