ICT Associate (Cloud Operations), G6, FT, ICTD Digital Core - Valencia, Spain

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 fulfill 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, a connected world.

The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF’s Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally, through the use of innovative technology-enabled solutions.

The Core Infrastructure Services is a unit for global architecture and engineering in UNICEF. Cloud Infrastructure and On-Premises Architecture are one of the most critical organizational IT systems of the unit’s portfolio. The position is under the supervision of the ICT Specialist (IaaS).

How can you make a difference?

The ICT Associate Cloud Operations is accountable for providing technical assistance and support for CORE Cloud Infrastructure services in the administration, maintenance, documentation, and monitoring of UNICEF's CORE Microsoft Azure Infrastructure as well as associated On-Prem components. In collaboration with other team members monitors Cloud (Azure) Infrastructure, provides installation and configuration services along with operational support for UNICEF's Global cloud infrastructure. Identifies risks and emerging faults and enhances cloud infrastructure capacity, security, redundancy and fault tolerance.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Under guidance from the Cloud Architect, Timely and effective technical assistance and support for UNICEF's CORE IT Cloud Infrastructure - PaaS, IaaS and Azure AD, monitoring, configuration and operational support.

• On a continuing basis, administer and maintain ICTD Core Cloud Infrastructure: including but not limited to Resource Groups, VMs, Virtual Networks, Log Analytics, Role-Based Access Management, Backup Vaults as well as associated On-Prem infrastructure like Health, Connectors, Federation, Peering and Monitoring.

• Ensures minimal down time and maximum staff productivity through effective services, infrastructure improvement, monitoring and compliance to standards.

  2. CORE IT Cloud Infrastructure problems are timely detected, recorded and resolved to improve availability at all times.

• Provision & maintain CORE IT Cloud Infrastructure Resources and configuration elements by following up and resolving relevant Incidents, alerts and signals incoming from monitoring systems as well as requests and issues reported by UNICEF Service Gateway. Escalating to relevant SMEs as required..

• Maintain the scope and configuration for relevant monitoring systems to maximize coverage, visibility and effectiveness

3. Under guidance from the Cloud Architect, Maintain Organizational and Role-based Security of CORE Cloud Infrastructure Resources, Templates and Policies and as per defined guidelines and processes, collaborates in the maintaining of documented guides and standards related to Cloud.

• Provision, configure and maintain Resource Templates on Azure Cloud Infrastructure based on established guidelines and processes.
• Provision, configure and maintain Resource Group Hierarchy in Azure Cloud Infrastructure based on established conventions, including Role-Based Access Management
• Ensure CORE IT Cloud Infrastructure consistency using tools like Azure Policy. Actively contributes to relevant documentation on Policies, Procedures and Conventions for improving general operational efficiency and governance

• Maintains CORE IT Cloud Infrastructure Cost- and Ownership- related Tags and configuration metadata to maximize Reporting, Analysis and Governance

• Prepares and maintains documentation related to CORE IT Cloud Architecture and associated On-Prem elements topology; including diagrams and topology descriptions.

• Periodically produces statistical reports on availability, capacity and other related in support of the overall CORE Cloud Infrastructure.
• Utilize best-practices and automation to help with the overall efficiency of the management and monitoring processes
• Utilize best-practices and monitoring tools to maximize the visibility of the CORE Cloud Infrastructure Health and Availability

• Provision, configure and maintain all other CORE IT Cloud Infrastructure Resources and Configuration elements as required.

  4. Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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

• A secondary degree (High School Diploma or equivalent) is required with university level courses in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or equivalent qualification.
• Specialized and advanced training in the tools and technologies as follows is required: Microsoft Azure CLOUD Infrastructure and Azure Active Directory, Windows Operating Systems, server operating systems, scripting (powershell, Azure CLI), networking, and network protocols.
• A minimum of 6 years practical work experience in information technology, as well as systematic methods of troubleshooting and analytical problem solving, in particular with Cloud IaaS, Server Operating Systems and Virtualization.
• Practical training in Cloud PaaS, IaaS, SaaS.
• Fundamental working knowledge of TCP/IP.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

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:

Candidates must be nationals of EU countries or in possession of a valid work permit. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

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 may also be 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.