Infrastructure Officer

Contract

This is a P-2 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 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.

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PURPOSE OF POSITION

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France. The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

The role of the Section of Support to Research (SSR) is to support the achievement of IARC’s scientific objectives through efficient and effective management of the Agency’s resources and provision of administrative services, ensuring accountable risk mitigation and implementing strategies to strengthen capacities and maximize IARC’s impact.

The ITS main objective is to maintain, develop and ensure smooth IT services through its main core functions including but not limited to IT Governance, Information System, Digital Workplace, Scientific IT, Cyber Security and Hybrid Infrastructure.

The infrastructure officer manages infrastructure processes ensuring system administration, smooth complex system installation and development of IT infrastructure

In coordination with different internal and external counterparts including but not limited to ITS head, Linux System Administrator, Bioinformatics unit and infrastructure providers, under the direct supervision of ITS head and overall guidance of Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), the IT infrastructure officer will manage wide range of responsibilities related to administration and development of IARC’s Information Technology (IT) infrastructure in both, scientific and core spectrums across the IARC

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Ensure Smooth System Administration.

   • Manage the IT Infrastructure of the Agency (including cloud infrastructure, storage, servers, scientific computing resources, virtual infrastructure), its operations, high availability and continuing development.
   • Process and document the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans of IARC’s IT infrastructure.
   • Review and implement system upgrade strategies.
   • Supervise daily system monitoring and backup operations.
   • Produce and keep Technical Documentation up to date.
   • In coordination with the Building Maintenance team, manage the IARC data centers.

2. Development of IT Infrastructure.

   • Assist in the consolidation of both the Scientific IT systems and the Administrative IT systems.
   • Provide assistance to ITS Head in technical and short term and midterm strategic IT decisions.
   • Prepare project schedules for system changes.
   • In coordination with ITS head, assist in capacity planning reviews.
   • Evaluate infrastructure products and solutions.

3. Provides technical guidance on complex system installation processes:

   • Executes projects and implements infrastructure solutions according to the best project management practices and in alignment with IARC’s set priorities.
   • Mentor and provide guidance to junior staff.

4. Contribute to development of Scientific IT Platform Portfolio, as a member of the IARC Computational Biology, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Committee (C3B) working group:

   • Identify, propose and evaluate new technological opportunities aimed to meet the evolving needs of IARC scientific groups.
   • Propose and establish new standards and practices for scientific IT.
   • Devote to the preparation of annual operational budget, investment financement and follow up expenses
   • Assist IARC scientist identifying IT ressources needs for incoming projects or grants
   • Coordinate and lead the C3B IT working group

5. Assist in ITS procurement planning.

   • Provides technical specifications and cost estimates.
   • Collaborates with the Head of ITS and procurement unit on maintaining and updating the ITS vendor database.

6. Provide support and advices on:

• • Troubleshooting and resolution process of infrastructure incidents
  • Project schedules for major system changes
  • Evaluation of system upgrades
  • Solutions to fulfil pre-identified needs
  • Testing methodologies to validate disaster recovery plan
  • Hardware and software configuration changes
  • Architectural changes in the infrastructure
  • Hardware and software for future system deployment
  • Platform evolution and improvements

7. Perform any other related technical duties as required by the supervisors.

COVID-19 MEASURES

Due to the evolving situation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and depending on work requirements, this position may be partly occupied remotely, from the home of the candidate selected in the region Lyon, according to the teleworking clause for force majeure currently in force as part of the IARC teleworking policy during this pandemic period.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Producing results*
• Moving forward in a changing environment*
• Fostering integration and teamwork*
• Technical expertise
• Promoting innovation and organizational learning
• Communication
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related discipline.

Desirable: Master’s degree in information system, computer science, software engineering or related discipline

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience part of which in scientific research environment(s).

Desirable: Experience in top IT infrastructure vendors and/or United Nations experience.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Expert knowledge of English is essential, working knowledge of French is desirable.

SKILLS

Essential:

• Knowledge of storage systems and storage networks.
• Strong Linux system administration skills
• Knowledge of accessing and working in a High Performance Computing (HPC).
• Strong scripting skills in a modern language such as Bash, Python or Perl
• Knowledge of infrastructure automation and/or DevOps concepts.
• Intermittent work in server room(s) under loud noise and extensive air conditioning coverage to maintain cool atmosphere of the equipment.
• Extended exposure to a computer monitor(s)

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 49,254 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,732 per month for the duty station indicated above (subject to change). Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or seminar presentation may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. IARC/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to IARC/WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• WHO staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For information on IARC’S operations please visit: www.iarc.fr
• IARC/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• IARC/WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Participating States are particularly encourage.