ICT Associate (Backend and DevOps), GS-6, UNICEF Global Shared Services Centre, Budapest, Hungary

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, results.

UNICEF's Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in Budapest, Hungary provides services to UNICEF offices globally in the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Payroll and Information Technology.

GSSC has won the 2019 Business Services Firm of the Year in Hungary, one of 26 regional awards announced at the Central and Eastern European Business Services Summit & Awards held in Warsaw, Poland.

How can you make a difference?

Information and Communications Technology ICT Associates at this level perform a full range of procedural activities in support of ICT to ensure effective communications with client departments/divisions/offices and efficient provision of support to other ICT staff.

ICT Associates are accountable for specialized support pertaining to routine ICT activities requiring thorough understanding and application of server, operating system, hardware and software documentation and functionality.

Summary of key functions:

1. Ensure timely and effective user support to UNICEF GSSC Systems.

• Maintain back-end systems, data centers and servers
• Administer data security for servers and systems and apply security and regular patches
• Troubleshooting of ad-hoc or software problems experienced on the network or facilities.
• Escalate the problem to responsible parties
• Ensure all change requests are recorded and followed up promptly and resolved within the specified time.

2. Assist in the installation, configuration, maintenance and operation of the ICT backend infrastructure elements such as Windows servers, HyperV clusters, datacenter, workstations and other backend ICT equipment.

• Deploy and maintain equipment (e.g. servers, printers, workstation computers, and other ICT equipment.
• Ensure regular monitoring, analyzing and resolving of all problems related to equipment.

3. Develop and maintain a functioning IT monitoring system for the data centers and in the cloud and provide advance alert and warnings

• Develop scripts for aggregation of performance and operational data for important IT systems
• Maintain the monitoring dashboards of backend systems
• Analyze and identify trends and root causes
• Maintain logs and system alerting and notification algorithms
• Escalate, follow up and coordinate resolution of technical issues and perform root cause analysis of alerts and failures.

4. Update System and IT cyber security patches

• Ensure all equipment is secured against network threats, protected against virus and backup schedules are adhered to.
• Apply IT security patches and updates
• Continued assessment of security threats and vulnerabilities
• Track and monitor incidents related to cyber security
• Analyze compliance to established IT security policies
• Analyze problems, identify alternatives, test and recommend solutions

5. Maintain a functioning IT disaster recovery procedure including regular testing of the backup systems. maintain spares for better IT readiness

• Build and maintain resilience of backend systems through the continuous testing and improvement of IT disaster preparedness and recovery plans
• Maintain daily backup and regular testing
• Execute test and disaster simulation and follow up closure of all identified gaps

6. Participate in beta testing of new applications and hardware and report on bugs and findings.

• Coordinate with developers, system and business owners to test new codes and applications on the backend environment.

As an advocate for every child, you will receive…

• Competitive salary which is tax-exempted in Hungary
• Net salary range of HUF 570,250 – 648,916 depending experience (medical insurance and pension premiums will be deducted from net salary). Access here the UN Salary Scale for Hungary, and here a salary calculator for simulation.
• Holidays and leave, including 2.5 days of annual leave accrual per month
• Parental leave
• Dependency allowance
• United Nations sponsored medical insurance plan, pension plan & optional life insurance plan
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning and learning path
• Access to staff well-being & career development support

Please visit Compensation and Benefit site on UNICEF Career page

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Completion of secondary education (i.e., high school diploma) is a minimum requirement
• Two (2) years of relevant work experience is required for candidates holding Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in IT related field
• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant work experience in information technology is required for candidates without degree
• ITIL Foundation Certificate or equivalent customer support certification is an asset
• Understanding of DevOps methodologies with focus on maintaining backend systems, deploying codes and maintaining and upgrading of systems
• Systematic methods of troubleshooting and analytical problem solving
• Knowledge of various backend systems and associated IT disaster preparedness
• Understanding of methodologies for monitoring of systems and services, and the use of applications and diagnostic tools
• Experience in maintaining and installing server operating systems (Windows Server 2012, 2016) and storage hardware, virtualization technologies (HyperV)
• Knowledge of cloud technologies
• Basic knowledge of PowerShell and other scripting languages
• Good working knowledge of computer information systems, including PC operating systems (e.g. Windows 10), PC hardware and applications software, MS Office
• Familiarity to network building concepts and network devices
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required
• Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is a strong asset

Remarks

Additional criteria that are considered key for the successful performance of the incumbent within the context of the job requirement may be applied by the Hiring Section as part of short listing.

Applicants must be nationals of EU countries or in possession of a valid work permit, not related to studies or current employer. Please attach a copy of your work permit to your application submission.

General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and therefore, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements. UNICEF does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff.

Remarks: Requirement for internal applicants

Internal applicants from GSSC are required to complete the courses of Learning Paths that are identified as essential when applying to the level of this post. Please visit the L&D Portal Learning and Development (sharepoint.com) for more information.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and the following core competencies:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

View our competency framework at:

https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf

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.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.