INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER

Contract

This is a FS-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-6 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Field Technology Services Unit of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Unit, Field Technology Services or their designate.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Information Systems Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans and directs 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 the more complex systems;
• Manages the budget of the Information Systems Unit, formulating and monitoring budget allocations and expenditures, verifying funding and ensuring no overrun occurs;
• Develops technical specifications for the procurement of equipment and contractual services, and coordinates the technical evaluation of offers and proposals received;
• Develops and recommends strategies to implement global information systems projects originating out of IOCT/OSD and the Mission
• Develops, implements and monitors information systems standards, guidelines and procedures
• Provides specialized advice to users, analysing users’ 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.
• Develops training materials, operating and user manuals; trains staff in assigned systems
• Develops disaster recovery plans relating to information systems and ensures appropriate planning an training of those responsible;
• Researches, analyses and evaluates new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment
• Participates in writing reports and papers on system-related topics, system requirements, information strategy, etc.
• Provides professional leadership and work direction for the Unit, develops he yearly work plan, mentors and supervises personnel of the Unit.

Internetworking & Infrastructure - Develops plans for major IT systems projects within the Mission, monitoring the progress of the design, installation and commissioning of the various systems - Leads the team in the operation and maintenance of internetworking 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 to implement these plans to ensure optimal readiness - Responsible 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 - Oversees the user access control for network resources and overall network security

• Handles all aspects of contract administration including establishment of service level agreements with vendors and chargeback policy for users.

• Performs other duties as required.

  Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Substantive knowledge in information systems including possession of good supervisory skills and extensive knowledge of IT policies, structure and strategies; Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations and prepare reports or justification in respect to key administrative decisions; 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. takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 clients.

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. Technical training and certifications in Information Systems is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related areas is required.

Experience managing and overseeing large centralized and globally distributed institutional systems is required.

Two years’ experience providing services in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer Information systems or related areas in a field operation (conflict or post-conflict setting) of the United Nations Common System or comparable international organization is desirable.

Two years experience in the planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related areas in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Experience in budget, staffing and performance management and reporting is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second UN official language may be an advantage.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available for a period of 364 days. 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 new work 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.

• 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.

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.