Linux System Administrator

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

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.

Under the direct supervision of the infrastructure officer SSR/ITS and overall guidance of the ITS head, the incumbent will perform the below tasks.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Services Operation and Administration:

   Operate the Linux based platforms in the ITS group. Tasks include but not limited to:

• Maintenance, operation and update of Linux based environment to the highest standards using automation (on premise and cloud based).
• Manage and operate containerised infrastructure (docker) and its CD/CI pipelines.
• Ensure systems integrity and security applying firmware updates/upgrades and security patches.
• Detect, troubleshoot and resolve service problems.
• Daily monitoring of services and IT resources (system logs, backup, etc)
• Produce and keep technical documentation up to date.

2. Service Development:

Develop Linux based services and systems automation according to the ITS Roadmap. Tasks include but not

limited to:

• Design, implement, configure and document systems/applications to replace or add new services to the IT portfolio,
• Further develop containerised infrastructure using gitlab CD/CI pipeline.
• Automation tools development to help with daily operation

3. Training and Support:

Train and assist advanced IT users with the use of core infrastructure resources and provide L2/L3 support to

IT service desk:

• Create and maintain user documentation.
• Track and resolve support requests.
• Organize and deliver training sessions.

4. Scientific IT platform operation and development:

The scientific IT platform is composed of different bricks, mostly based on Linux system. It provides HPC, large

storage capacity and dedicated applications/services that run IARC-developed bioinformatics tools… The

incumbent will have to:

• Collaborate with SIT Administrator for the management and development of shared systems.
• When needed, act as backup of the SIT administrator for the management of the Scientific IT platform.
• Whenever possible, contribute to the development of the Scientific IT platform.

5. Perform any other related technical duties as requested by the supervisor(s).

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
• Communication

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Completion of a secondary school education, plus two years of specialized studies in computer science, recognized by a diploma (BTS, DUT, license, license pro or equivalent).

Desirable: Engineering School specialized in IT.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum of 5 years of combined professional hardware and software stacks experience.

Desirable:

• Experience with large system deployment and automation, Ansible, Puppet, XCat.
• Experience in user training and support.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of English OR French and the aptitude to learn language.

SKILLS

Essential:

• Strong Linux Systems/Services knowledge and skills
• Knowledge of container technology (Docker) and
• Knowledge of configuration management tools and infrastructure automation (Ansible, Puppet, ...)
• Proven communications skills including in a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable:

• Experience in virtualization technology such as VMWare, KVM, or Hyper-V
• Knowledge of cloud-based infrastructure and services (AWS/Azure)
• Scripting skills in Bash/YAML/Python
• Knowledge of advance data storage technologies
• Experience in High performance Computing

REMUNERATION

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 3,544 per month, and is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

Other benefits include different types of leave and allowances for dependent family members.

Employment status is that of an international civil servant.

Note: due to the legal status of WHO/IARC as an international organization, its staff do not contribute to and do not generate benefits in French mandatory schemes for health insurance (“assurance maladie”), pension (“assurance vieillesse/retraite or unemployment (“Pôle-Emploi”) throughout their period of employment with the Agency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This post is open to all EU nationals who can work/have work permit in France. IARC offers a relocation package for selected candidates if they are not residing within the local commuting area and based outside France.
• IARC has different means of flexible working arrangement which support the work-life balance.
• We only accept applications submitted via our online recruitment tool (applications for this position should be filled out in English and include a cover letter in English). Application profiles should include the details of all work experiences to date (including paid internships).
• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or 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.
• For information on IARC’S operations please visit: www.iarc.who.int
• 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 are encouraged.