INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a FS-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 8 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-5 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), Mission Support Division, Operations and Resource Management Service, Field Technology Unit (FTU), duty station Cali, Colombia. The incumbent will report to the FTU Chief Operations.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Information System Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Assists with the planning of all major information systems projects within the Mission, monitoring the progress of the systems analysis, design, development, testing and implementation of new, moderately complex systems, and/or, participates as a member of a team with responsibility for major components of more complex systems;
• Assists with the management of the Information Systems budget, formulating and monitoring budget allocations and expenditures, verifying funding and ensuring no overrun occurs;
• Supports the development of technical specifications for the procurement of equipment and contractual services and coordinates the technical evaluation of offers and proposals received;
• Handles all aspects of contract administration, including the establishment of service-level agreements with vendors and chargeback policy for users;
• Assists the team with the development of strategies to implement global information systems projects originating out of the Department of Field Support Information and Communications Technology Division (DFS/ICTD) and the Mission;
• Assists the team with the development, implementation and monitoring of information systems standards, guidelines and procedures;
• Assists the team with the development of detailed systems and other functional specifications and user documentation as required;
• Provides advice to users, analysing user requirements and translating these into new applications; determines application systems integration and linkage issues;
• Maintains, upgrades or enhances existing user systems; troubleshoots and provides continuing support, including resolving difficult problems, advising on the use of new techniques, monitoring transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness of assigned systems, etc;
• Supports the team with the development of training materials, operating and user manuals and trains staff in the use of assigned systems;
• Assists with the development of disaster recovery plans relating to information systems and ensures appropriate planning and training of those responsible;
• Researches, analyses and evaluates new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment;
• Participates in writing reports and papers on systems-related topics, system requirements, information strategy etc;
• Develops the yearly work plan, mentors and supervises personnel of the Unit.

Internetworking and Infrastructure - Participates in the development of plans for major IT systems’ projects within the mission, monitoring the progress of the design, installation and commissioning of various networks and systems; - Contributes to the maintenance of internet working systems that including routers and switches, operating systems’ platforms, database management systems, servers, workstations, and related equipment; - Devises and administers disaster recovery plans; provides training for support staff in implementing these plans to ensure optimal readiness; - Shares responsibility for the proper implementation of backup and recovery procedures; - Maintains a regular review of the network resources access control, data security, and server and data store security systems; - Ensures all information security systems are properly configured and maintained; - Supports the user access control for network resources and overall network security.

ICT Security/DRBC: - Acts as the focal point for the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plan implemented by the Mission; - Assists with the coordination of the implementation and testing of DRBC plans and supervises teams related to DRBC management; - Participates in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of a multi-user information security systems, including firewalls, malware detection/prevention systems, intrusion detection/prevention, network access controls, proxy servers, VPN, encryption, URL and content filtering systems in accordance with organisational technology security standards; - Assists other FTU groups with the determination of security requirements and integration of these requirements in system design and operations; - Formulates and maintains security procedures, including user identification and access control processes to specific FTU resources and data; - Acts upon all security incidents and violations, including reporting them immediately to the FTU Security Coordinator; participates in incidents management activities; - Performs regular security assessments of production FTU resources to identify potential weaknesses that could be exploited; performs risk analysis and formulates risk treatment plans - Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff, consultants, etc.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of information technology and applications, including computer system networks. Good technical skills, ability to conduct network maintenance, provide server services, user support, implement and maintain Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity systems, and information systems security and control. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification Technical or vocational certificates in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics, or related field is required.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) foundation v4 certification is desirable.

Work Experience At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in Information Systems and Technology, or related area is required.

Experience providing services in the field of Information Systems and Technology or related area to or in a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization is desirable.

Experience in the field of Information Systems and Technology or related areas in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Experience in carrying out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit including preparation of cost estimates/budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, and contracting vendor services is required

Experience in the application of appropriate techniques and programming languages (Cisco networking) is required.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by informal interview.

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL- 8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

  United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.