ICT Specialist - ICT Project Management (Technical Implementation)

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

Background Information – Project

UN Global Pulse UN Global Pulse (UNGP) is an initiative of the Executive Office of Secretary-General (EOSG) founded in 2009. We work in support of the Secretary-General’s priorities, in advancement of the UN Charter. UNGP serves as a cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation. We have a globally distributed team in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The teams work with digital innovation, strategic foresight, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. Our vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves to empower people and protect the planet’. Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and science to inform, inspire and support the entire UN and those it serves, to anticipate and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The goals of the UNGP Network are: i) to generate knowledge, capabilities and approaches that support the transformation of the United Nations into a more agile and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution; ii) to create and accelerate the development of globally accessible approaches that help communities and partners anticipate and address emerging global challenges; and iii) to advocate for the global transformation of policies, practices and culture required to maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize its risk of harm, and ensure pathways to scale and sustainability.

GDAI is an initiative that brings together UN agencies and private, public, and social sector partners for the development of data and AI products as digital public goods (DPGs). GDAI aspires to catalyze the formation of a cohesive and responsibly open ecosystem of data and AI products and services that reduces inefficiencies in the development of digital solutions for sustainable development and humanitarian action—with an initial focus on natural disaster response and recovery—to accelerate attainment of the sustainable development goals.

Functional Responsibilities

The Technical Implementation Lead is responsible for leading a team of data scientists, engineers and user experience researchers and undertaking research on new methods and technologies and how to bring them into the project planning, allocating, monitoring, and adjusting project resources and for preparing project timelines, monitoring progress, and adjusting timelines as necessary surfacing risks to project success as appropriate. They foster goal-oriented collaboration and excel at bringing people together for focused decision making on a timeline. Ultimately, they ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. Throughout, they actively contribute to a productive, positive team culture.

Within the scope of their work, the Technical Implementation Lead develops, and where necessary defines, the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders for effective collaboration and project success.

The day to day management and supervision of this position is under the responsibility of the Project Strategy lead. The Technical Implementation Lead is expected to meet the organization’s overall performance and delivery goals across projects as set out by the UNGP Leadership Team.

Summary of functions:

1. Project Delivery and Performance
2. Monitoring, reporting and Quality Assurance
3. Digital Innovation, Research and Data Science:

4. Knowledge management, and Capacity Building:

   1. Project Delivery and Performance

- Support the Strategy Lead(s) in the definition of project objectives, resource plans, and timelines in collaboration with project partners, UNGP Capability Leads, and UNGP Global Services teams as needed - Collaborate with Program Lead(s) for project planning including resource allocation, impact trajectory, progress monitoring, and risk profile review - Draft, align, and deliver on project work plans including raising any delivery roadblocks and significant delivery risks to Strategy Lead(s) in time - Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary - Ensure clear next steps at any point during the project lifecycle and clear ownership of next steps for streamlined execution - Plan resource requirements for use cases in consultation with Strategy lead (and Capability Leads and Global Services Leads where required) - Manage project timelines and prepare materials to report on project progress to inform decisions - Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded - Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs. - Ensure direct involvement of partners in project teams (co-development of solutions) as needed including ensuring continuous relevance of output for the partner.

2. Monitoring, reporting and Quality Assurance: - Prepare and issue regular project technical reports in accordance with requirements for reporting - Support UNGP ecosystem outreach with specific project presentations if needed for strategic partnerships - Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality) - Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in project planning - Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables

3. Digital Innovation, Research and Data Science: - Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in project planning - Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables - Actively interact with other Project Managers and the Innovation Capability to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices in Innovation Project Management. - Support the design and implementation of methodological and operational research projects harnessing artificial intelligence and data science to improve development outcomes and humanitarian response; - Assist the technical team to perform critical evaluations of data, methodologies and models required to assess bias, validity and explainability of results in development and humanitarian response projects; - Assist in analyzing the potential risk and harms associated with AI and data science projects. - Support the Implementation of software required for accessing, cleaning, handling, analyzing, modeling and visualizing data;

4. Knowledge management, and Capacity Building: - Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff. - Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice - Coordinate research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span. - Assist with the coordination of artificial intelligence and data science projects with multiple partners including UN agencies, government entities, the private sector and academia;

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of project objectives and in particular of the Global Data Access Initiative will position UNOPS’ Global Pulse project and its regional hub in Asia Pacific as a capable, trusted, and trustworthy voice in digital equity and as an advocate for a fair digital common. This promotes the image of UN Global Pulse as an effective convener and leader in digital innovation and enhances UNGP’s competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services at the global, regional, and local level.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - An advanced university degree in social sciences, administrative sciences, business management, economics, computer science, or other relevant disciplines. - A first-level university degree in combination with an additional three years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. - Certification: Prince2, Managing Successful Programmes or similar project management certification is an asset

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 (five) years of experience in coding algorithms (Python or an equivalent programming environment), data access, analysis and data visualization methodologies for call detail records, social media data or any other big data source is required;
• Experience in Data Science projects is desirable.
• Knowledge of machine learning, artificial intelligence and satellite image analysis/remote sensing is a strong asset.
• Prior experience in managing research and research implementation especially in arrears involving digital innovation. behavioral sciences/ design, and anticipatory action is an asset.
• Experience of working in the UN System is desirable.
• Experience of managing stakeholder relations while working for an international organization or related experience is required
• A proven track record of excellence in driving teams towards common objectives is an asset;
• Prior experience in developing, supporting or managing multi-donor supported projects would be a strong asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Proven track record of successfully working as a part of large, collaborative teams including distributed international teams is required;
• Proven track record working in multidisciplinary teams is an asset.

Language Requirements: - Full working knowledge of English is required; - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: International Individual Contractor Award
• Contract level: IICA-2
• Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

The position is based in a family duty station.

Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual contractor Agreement will be issued.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.