Information Technology Assistant

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG heads the Office of Investment Management (OIM), which manages an approximately $70+ billion multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprised of global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and commodities. OIM’s staff are all based in New York and come from over 30 countries. For more information, please visit OIM's website at https://oim.unjspf.org/.

This position is located in the Service Desk within the Information Systems Section of the Office of Investment Management (OIM) of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. The incumbent reports to the Head of Service Desk Team.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Information Technology Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Desktop Administration and Configuration - Occasionally supervises junior staff or consultants for specific projects. - Monitors all personal computers running the UN software delivery system to ensure that software distributions are being delivered correctly. - Performs software distribution updates, scripting, testing and support. - Performs research into new versions of centrally supported software and perform beta testing, production rollout and post production support. - Performs 2nd level desktop troubleshooting in conjunction with the Help Desk. - Provides technical advice to clients when necessary. - Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff. - Prepares, maintains, and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases. - Drafts documentation and reports. - Performs other related duties as required.

Server Operations and Administration - Occasionally supervises junior a team of or consultants’ staff for specific projects. - Installs, configures, tests and deploys server hardware and software, including Local Area Network, Operating Systems, Electronic mail, Unix, Linux, Citrix, Database systems, Internet Web software, firewall, Domain Name Server (DNS), DHCP, mail relay, and various security software. - Performs administration, operation, technical support, and monitoring of server systems. - Undertakes troubleshooting of server systems. If the problem persists, escalates to higher level in accordance with procedures. - Liaises with other groups of ISS and the user Departments for maintaining the efficient and reliable operations of server systems. - Performs 24x7 operations of assigned systems. - Assists in identifying the need for new systems or re-engineering of the existing systems. - Responds to requests from user offices and assists in deploying/configuring systems so as to conform to infrastructure standards - Implements backups of servers following standard backup procedures. - Collects various statistics on the performance and reliability of server systems, and produces pertinent reports. - Maintains the documentation of server systems, pertinent to operations and system administration. - Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff. - Prepares, maintains, and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases. - Drafts documentation and reports. - Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. - Performs other related duties as required.

Service Installation and Support - Receives and logs problem calls or service requests in the automated tracking system with minimum delay. - Attempts to resolve as many problem calls or service requests on initial contact. - Performs tasks related to scheduled service requests, including equipment replacement, equipment installation/de-installation, software installation, LAN connection, returns to stock, site surveys, etc. - Diagnoses and resolves any hardware, software, or connectivity problem with minimum delay. - Provides basic training to end-users on the use of standard systems and applications; - Drafts end-user and/or technical documentation. - Logs all actions in the automated tracking system, including site survey information, steps taken to resolve problem or to complete task, problems encountered, current status, etc. - Acts as problem escalation point for technical staff at lower levels. - Escalates problems/tasks to the appropriate parties in accordance with established procedure. - Detects problem patterns and recommends solutions. - Keeps abreast of developments in technology both in the UN and in the industry in general; - Provides training to junior technical staff. - Occasionally supervises junior technical staff or consultants for special projects. - Performs other related duties as required.

Procurement and Logistics - Receive, unpacks, and inspects all incoming assets. - Enters assets and asset transactions into the automated inventory management system in accordance with established procedure. - Obeys and enforces all security procedures. - Troubleshoots, cleans, and repairs/rebuilds equipment. - Performs more complex hardware and software configuration tasks such as creating standard images. - Sorts, compiles, and stores equipment in accordance with work orders and/or equipment condition; - Prepares and releases equipment for service requests. - Liaises with other areas of ISS, focal points. - Monitors inventory levels and initiates procurement when low thresholds are reached. - Keeps abreast of developments in technology in the UN and in the industry in general. - Recommends acquisition of hardware, software, devices, tools, etc. to facilitate work. - Occasionally supervises a team of logistics staff for special projects. - Performs other duties as required.

Service Coordination - Receives and logs service requests in the automated request management system. - Creates and assigns work orders in accordance with established procedure. - Distributes work assignments and monitor progress. - Liaises with other areas of ISS to facilitate completion of service requests. - Provides advice to clients regarding ISS standards and workflow processes. - Performs quality assurance procedures to ensure client satisfaction. - Addresses escalated problems and monitor to resolution. - Detects problem patterns and recommend solutions. - Keeps abreast of latest ITSD standards and technology. - Performs other duties as required.

Physical Requirements - May be required to lift, move, mount, or store equipment weighing up to 50 lbs, or up to 80 pieces of equipment on a daily basis. - May be required to work on shift assignments on weekdays to maintain the service coverage from 08:00 to 18:00. Occasionally, on average once a month, the incumbent may be required to work ad-hoc assignments during evenings or early mornings of working days as well as holidays and weekends. - May be required to visit user’s premises to resolve problems on their servers or desktop PCs. - May require the ability to cope with the working conditions of the Data Centre where the level of noise and electro-magnetic fields may be slightly higher than the normal office environment while the temperature may be lower.

Competencies - Professionalism: Knowledge of information technology and applications, including computer system networks. Good technical skills, ability to conduct network maintenance, provide server services and user support. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. - 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 client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent. Certificate in customer support is desirable. Certificate in ITIL Foundation is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of experience in information technology or related area is required.

A minimum of seven years’ experience in information systems analysis and programming, systems administration and maintenance, software solutions, technical writing or related area is required.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) and Help Desk support, including work with various hardware, software and networking systems is desirable.

Strong experience in services and applications including conference system configuration, mobile device management, Bloomberg terminal (APIs), Active Directory (on premise and Azure), Microsoft Office 365 products including Exchange/Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint and bulk-roll out of software updates to computer machines is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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, with possibility of extension. The staff member is expected to start as soon as possible.

• This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

• 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.