Information Comm. Technology (ICT) Specialist, P3, Niamey, Niger

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 102,045 USD and 133,620 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 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, Innovation!

How can you make a difference?

I. Organizational context and purpose of the job

The ICT Specialist provides technical and operational support to the Deputy Representative Operations and country office colleagues in the implementation and administration of corporate applications/changes/enhancement, including new functionalities/business solutions and the acquisition/installation of reliable, secure and cost-effective ICT infrastructure, network and telecommunications. The ICT Specialist is also responsible for establishing business relationship/partnering with colleagues in the office, ICT Division and other RO and HQ partners to identify/recommend opportunities for enhancing business automation and modernization to maximize productivity and efficiency to successfully deliver program and business results: ensuring cost effectiveness, harmonization, coherence, integration and compatibility with existing corporate systems and in concert with UNICEF global vision and direction of ICT. In addition, he/she makes recommendations for the innovative use of ICT for effective and efficient Programme delivery.

II. 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 year-end assessments, 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 perspective;
• Act as UNICEF focal point for inter-agency activities;
• Liaise with regional office, GSSC and ICTD 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. 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, as well as technical and business reference groups” in order 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.

3. 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;
• Provide support for implementation of eTools;
• Provide support for HACT implementation;
• Collaborate with the Risk Focal Point the risks and opportunities inclusion in the risk register and support stakeholders to address them;
• Liaise with HQs, RO and other CO to share knowledge, 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.

4. 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, ICTD and Innovation Division;
• Establish a local governance board for the formal review and assessment of local innovation initiatives;
• Ensure exist 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.

III. Impact of the 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 high operational and damaging impact to UNICEF office as a whole. The absence or lack of a 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.

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

Education:

• 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 seven years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five 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.

Technical competencies:

• 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.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in French and working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language is an asset.

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) Nurtures, Leads and Manages People

(2) Builds and maintains partnerships

(3) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(4) Drive to achieve results for impact

(5) Innovates and embraces change

(6) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(7) Thinks and acts strategically

(8) 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidate are encouraged to apply.

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

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.

Niamey is a family duty station with a “Rest & Recuperation” cycle every 12 weeks.