Generic Vacancy Announcement : ICT Manager, P4, Fixed Term, Kabul, Afghanistan

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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 134,636 USD and 173,585 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.

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for children's rights. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, and protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle. UNICEF strives to ensure that all children are born alive, stay safe and keep learning.

For 70 years, UNICEF endeavored to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers, and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

Job organizational context: The ICT Manager (Level 4) reports to the Chief of Operations in large and complex offices with a broad range of projects and several field/zone offices, with a technical reporting line to the Regional Chief of ICT.

Purpose for the job: Based on the established policies, guidelines, and service level agreements (SLAs), the purpose of the incumbent role is to exercise a large scope of ICT functional accountability and internally manage complex ICT systems and operations and externally enhance collaboration and capacity building; improve the delivery of results and knowledge management; build business relationships and foster innovation.

The Generic job profile (GJP) may be modified by regional or country offices to meet their specific needs.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties or tasks

1. Manage the ICT function and provide technical and operational support:
   • Manage ICT and supervise Staff to enable the implementation of corporate ICT priorities, solutions and services;
   • Prepare ICT-related plans, budget, set priorities and performance indicators as well as yearend assessment, reviews, and reporting;
   • Safeguard the physical and logical security and safety of the ICT environment and infrastructure;
   • Provide quality assurance of projects and activities in accordance with ICT functional accountabilities
   • Monitor risks and threats to ICT environment or infrastructure and take appropriate action;
   • Manage compliance and escalate exceptions (proactive) and deviations (reactive);
   • Manage ICT-related communication materials internally, from NYHQ, GSSC or regional office;
   • Support the office business continuity plans development and ensure the inclusion of ICT inputs and perspectives;
   • Act as UNICEF focal point for inter-agency activities;
   • Liaise with regional office, GSSC and ITSS to keep abreast of new initiatives and opportunities to innovate and modernize office operations and to contribute to the collective ICT evolution.
   • Validate the compliance with the host government regulatory requirements vis-à-vis the Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA), i.e., data collection of sensitive information or personally identifiable information (PII), telecommunications licenses, use of specialized equipment, such as HF/VHF radios, high-gain antennae, satellite phones, VSATs, VOIP, drones, etc…
2. Manage the ICT function and provide technical and operational support:
   • Manage ICT and supervise Staff to enable the implementation of corporate ICT priorities, solutions and services;
   • Prepare ICT-related plans, budget, set priorities and performance indicators as well as yearend assessment, reviews and reporting;
   • Safeguard the physical and logical security and safety of ICT environment and infrastructure;
   • Provide quality assurance of projects and activities in accordance with ICT functional accountabilities
   • Monitor risks and threats to ICT environment or infrastructure and take appropriate action;
   • Manage compliance and escalate exceptions (proactive) and deviations (reactive);
   • Manage ICT-related communication materials internally, from NYHQ, GSSC or regional office;
   • Support the office business continuity plans development and ensure the inclusion of ICT inputs and perspectives;
   • Act as UNICEF focal point for inter-agency activities;
   • Liaise with the regional office, GSSC and ITSS to keep abreast of new initiatives and opportunities to innovate and modernize office operations and to contribute to the collective ICT evolution.
   • Validate the compliance with the host government regulatory requirements vis-à-vis the Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA), i.e., data collection of sensitive information or personally identifiable information (PII), telecommunications licenses, use of specialized equipment, such as HF/VHF radios, high-gain antennae, satellite phones, VSATs, VOIP, drones, etc…
3. Enhance governance, collaboration, build relationships and capacity:
   • Participate in office management –CMT, operations and programme meetings to exercise the functional accountabilities of the ICT function;
   • Represent UNICEF ICT in inter-agency functions;
   • Support counterparts and implementing partners to build capacity and nurture independence;
   • Engage with programme sections, counterparts and implementing partners to form: technical and business reference groups” to identify, analyze, research and promote innovative and viable solutions;
   • Assist in oversight, assessment and audit of vendors, counterparts and implementing partners
   • Assist in the promotion of creativity and innovative thinking to re-engineer work processes and make the best use of technology within and outside UNICEF;
   • Support Supply and programme staff to establish local LTAs for ICT-related programme contracts for services and products;
   • Conduct oversight of providers and third parties of ICT-related services and products to programme;
   • Study and understand the business requirements, i.e., PPP, RBM, HACT, etc… to improve the delivery of results;
   • Stay abreast of ICT trends, developments and best practices through professional development –journals, training, certification, etc….
4. Improve the delivery of results:
   • Build and strengthen relationships with counterparts, i.e., government, sister United Nations agencies, international nonprofit organizations (INGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs);
   • Promote the use of collaboration tools for knowledge management, capacity building and preserving institutional memory;
   • Lead the implementation of eTools and facilitate training workshops or clinics;
   • Work closely to facilitate HACT implementation with partnership managers, programme and operations staff;
   • Collaborate with the Risk Focal Point the risks and opportunities included in the risk register and support stakeholders to address them;
   • Liaise with HQs, RO and other CO to share knowledge, and experience; discuss opportunities and risks for the improved delivery of results;
   • Represent UNICEF ICT in One UN, Delivering as One and other UN reform initiatives.
   • Collaborate with C4D and use their advocacy, outreach and dissemination tools for better utilization of technology to advance the delivery of results;
   • Facilitate project management methodologies trainings and support the application by staff, counterparts and implementing partners;
   • Participate in person or remotely in UNICEF global, regional or country offices events and discussions to contribute results-based management/programming.
5. Foster innovation:
   • Promote creativity and innovative thinking to re-engineer work processes and make the best use of technology within and outside UNICEF;
   • Evaluate innovation initiatives potential opportunities and possible risks to improve productivity, efficiency and effectiveness and share with senior management, regional office, ITSS and Innovation Division;
   • Establish a local governance board for the formal review and assessment of local innovation initiatives;
   • Ensure exit strategies are incorporated in all innovation initiatives prior to approval;
   • Implement approved innovative projects such as eTools, RapidPro, Ureport, etc…
   • Support counterparts and implementing partners to implement approved innovation initiatives;
   • Facilitate TED-like events inviting local and international scholars, CEOs, and technology gurus;
   • Connect academia to innovation opportunities, i.e., vocational schools, colleges, and universities;
   • Work closely with Communication to promote to local philanthropists the benefits and rewards of innovation for their active participation, support, and funding;
   • Engage the private sector to maximize the use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) resources for no-cost innovation initiatives, e.g., bulk telecommunications services at low cost or free during periods of under-utilized resources.

Impact of Results

The ICT function supports UNICEF’s mission and strategic plan by enabling programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency through innovation, partnerships, and providing ICT solutions and services in a timely, secure and safe manner.

With regards to the performance of the incumbent, any failures not properly addressed or corrected will have a high operational and damaging impact to the UNICEF office as a whole. The absence or lack of sound management of the ICT functions will affect UNICEF’s ability to support local counterparts and implementing partners and potentially affect UNICEF ICT globally and possibly have legal or financial repercussions affecting UNICEF’s brand and reputation.

UNICEF values and competency Required (based on the updated Framework)

i) Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• Nurtures, Leads, and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

or

Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

*The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures, Leads, and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.

For the ICT Manager: to qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree is required in computer science, software engineering, information technology management, business administration, or another relevant technical field.

*A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with ten years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in information technology management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation is required. Experience in a UN organization is an asset.
• Certification and/or proven experience in one of these several ICT technical competencies: ICT Project Management, Business Analysis, Information Security, ICT Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security, and Software Engineering and Programming
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.