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

These positions are located in the Field Technology Section within the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), duty station Nairobi & Mogadishu. The incumbents will report directly to the Chiefs of Unit or their designates.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Information Systems Assistants 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 OICT and the Mission; • 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, to include 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 includes 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 stores security systems; • Ensures all information security systems are properly configured and maintained; • Supports the user access control for network resources and overall network security. • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff, consultants, etc.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. 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. 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. Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Technical or vocational certificate in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field is required.

Work Experience

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in Information Systems and Technology, or related area is required. 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, contracting vendor services 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 area in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.