ICT Associate, GS-6, Fixed Term, Public Partnership Division (PPD) Brussels, Belgium

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, hope

The Public Partnerships Division (PPD) has been established to facilitate and strengthen partnership development with governments, UN agencies, international financial institutions, and global programme partnerships. PPD engages in policy advocacy and resource mobilization for children's rights and works to position UNICEF as a trusted partner to governments and other key stakeholders in the implementation of UNICEF's Strategic Plan and the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

In addition to managing the UNICEF’s relationship with the European Institutions (namely the European Commission (DG DEVCO, ECHO, NEAR; HOME and etc) , the Council of the EU, the European External Action Service, the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions) in order to make children a priority for EU institutions in terms their policies and financial allocations, the UNICEF Office in Brussels has also been designated as one of the hubs within the HQEI and one of the outposts that will allow UNICEF to engage more effectively with the countries of the European Union.

Within its mandate of engagement with the EU Institutions and for HQEI-concerned functions, the office also provides support to Regional and Country Offices programmatically, financially and administratively.

Based on the established policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLAs), the purpose of the incumbent role is to carry out broad ICT functions and enable the provision of ICT solutions and services and assist in the delivery of results in a small size office.

How can you make a difference?

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. Based on the established policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLAs), the purpose of the incumbent role is to carry out broad ICT functions and enable the provision of ICT solutions and services and assist in the delivery of results in a small size office.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

Enable continuous operation of ICT infrastructure and accessibility to ICT services and solutions:

Under overall guidance from ITSS Geneva and Valencia:

• Ensure physical and logical security and safety of ICT environment and infrastructure.
• Operate ICT infrastructure –environment, hardware, network and telecommunications.
• Assist in the management of contracts for ICT for services and products.
• Implement corporate solutions, services and keep systems and applications up and running.
• Manage changes and apply upgrades, security updates and patches.
• Conduct or supervise the provision of preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Manage emergency telecommunication operations and equipment.
• Manage ICT disaster recovery plans.
• Monitor, assess and verify the use of ICT resources to ensure compliance.
• Escalate compliance exceptions (proactive) and deviations (reactive).

Provide help, support and assist with capacity building and knowledge management:

Under the coordination of the GS6 Admin Associate

• Provide technical and operational support to end-users.
• Manage escalated ICT incidents or problems to GSSC/ITSS.
• Distribute ICT-related communication materials from NYHQ, GSSC or Geneva and Valencia offices.
• Prepare and circulate internal ICT-related communications –emails, manuals, newsletters, flyers, best practices, FAQs…
• Offer or coordinate training workshops or clinics to build end-users capacity or to introduce new solutions and services.
• Share local experience and lessons learned with regional office, GSSC or ITSS for the collective benefit.
• Support the planning, organization and implementation of capacity building and knowledge management initiatives to enhance staff competencies.
• Support opportunities to improve productively, efficiency, effectiveness and foster innovation; • Participate in-person or remotely in country, regional or global events, discussions setting the future of ICT evolution to achieve UNICEF mission.
• Stay abreast of ICT trends, developments and best practices through professional development – journals, training, certification, etc….

Support operational and administrative tasks:

Under the coordination of the GS6 Admin Associate

• Support the office business continuity plans development and ensure the inclusion of ICT inputs and perspective.
• Monitor risks and threats to ICT environment or infrastructure. Take appropriate action and inform management.
• Confirm 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, etc…
• Participate in inter-agency events, meetings or discussions to present UNICEF ICT interests, priorities and position.
• Act as ICT focal point for Emergency preparedness, Delivering as One, One UN or other initiatives.
• Work closely with Administration and Finance on budget, billing certification, inventory and asset management.
• Assist in providing information for reports, reviews or audits.
• Prepare documentations for programme, planning and budgeting exercises – CPD, CPAP, IBR, MTR, AWP, etc…
• Liaise with 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.

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

• A university degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology management, business administration or related social science field is required.
• A minimum of two 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 Analytics, Information Security, ICT Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security and Software Engineering and Programming
• Fluency in English is required, as well in one of the local languages.

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

Applicants must be nationals of EU countries or in possession of a valid work permit. Please attach a copy of your work permit to your application submission.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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 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.

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