Senior ICT Associate (T4D), GS7, FT, East Jerusalem, State of Palestine

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-7 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope.

UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through to adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential. We are working for every child and young person in the State of Palestine. The State of Palestine Office requires a dedicated position to serve as the Technology for Development (T4D) focal point for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) unit. The ICT/T4D Associate is accountable for program development issues, communications, operational support services to enhance the smooth running of the team and its workflow.

How can you make a difference?

You will perform specialized activities pertaining to UNICEF’s ICT systems and T4D including programming and developing codes and software as needed, desktop administration, server operations, hardware, and software. Specialized activities may include technical support in the testing and implementation of new application system releases, modules and functionalities and systems administration tasks. This is skilled work, which may include the provision of procedural leadership to more junior staff or serve as a focal point for a systems project.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

ICT Office Customer Service Support:

• The Senior ICT Associate enlists the support and cooperation of client staff from across the office in the installation and maintenance/troubleshooting of ICT applications.
• Proactively identifies from colleagues, users and user groups applications requirements and proposes them to the concerned development entity (ICTD, outside vendors, etc.), provides training in new systems and applications, and monitors optimal utilization.
• The Senior ICT Associate coordinates with external service providers, such as telephony providers, and consultants, ensuring delivery of ICT services for prompt resolution of service issues.

ICT Administration:

The Senior ICT Associate performs specialized IT application administration activities to ensure functionality and efficient user interface. Accountabilities/key results include:

• Analyzes functional issues, develops functional specifications and identifies the need for new systems or re-engineering/enhancements of the existing systems or applications.
• Supports the development, programming, testing, debugging and implementation of new applications and systems and customizing existing applications, in accordance with global policies and guidelines.
• Provides second-level support to users on systems applications including assistance on technical issues, setting up user access security profiles, and other related user issues.
• Drafts technical documentation and manuals.
• Assesses training needs, develops and presents structured and ad hoc training to users as required.
• Assists in the management of specialized ICT projects, particularly in the area of development and implementation of new systems and applications.
• Prepares periodic and ad hoc reports.

ICT Innovation and Programme Support:

• Spearhead the technical support to approved innovation initiatives and work closely with programme staff to facilitate proper implementation;
• Supports technical and operational knowledge transfer to programme staff, implementing partners and beneficiaries to build capacity and nurture independence;
• Assists in the selection of training providers and the development of training materials;
• Collaborates with programme sections and use their advocacy, outreach and dissemination tools for better utilization of technology to advance the delivery of results;
• Supports supply and programme staff to establish local LTAs for ICT-related programme contracts for services and products;
• Provides oversight of providers and third-parties of ICT-related services and products to programme;
• Assists in the facilitation of project management methodologies trainings and supports the application by staff, counterparts and implementing partners.

ICT Risk Management

• Actively learns and implements modern ICT risk management techniques and procedures in alignment and compliance with corporate standards.
• Identifies system vulnerabilities and relevant security patches; prioritizing, evaluating, testing and applying third party patches, as per global policies and guidelines.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Maintenance of staff training profiles to ensure optimal level of office-wide proficiency in the use of soft/hard technological means.
• Synthesizes lessons learned and good practices in ICT to use within the office.
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

For more information on the specific technical expertise needed, kindly visit the JD: Senior ICT Associate GS-7 - SoP CO.docx

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have the below requirement:

Education****:

• Completion of Secondary education is required, supplemented with formal training at university level in Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Engineering.
• Advanced knowledge of the organization’s ICT regulations, rules and procedures as well as systems and applications.
• In-depth knowledge of computer information systems, including micro-computer operating systems software (e.g. Windows, MS Office, and other apps), hardware and applications software and other office technology equipment.
• Advanced knowledge across multiple technical areas such as ICT administration, system analysis/development methods, database, Web management, networking and security, operating systems, applications, or business process analysis, as required.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of practical work experience in information technology, requiring systematic methods of troubleshooting and problem solving is required.
• Experience in aiding users on IT products and services and use of applications and diagnostic tools is required.
• Practical experience in providing technical and business customer support and services is required.
• Practical experience and working knowledge of various computer platforms and applications, as needed, is required.
• One to two years of programming experience is an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of SharePoint and API development is an asset.
• Working experience with Power BI and Power Automate is an asset.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter Here

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: Here

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. A diverse and inclusive workforce is part of UNICEF’s DNA

| UNICEF Careers, irrespective of their race\ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a Compensation, benefits and wellbeing | UNICEF Careers including parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation for job candidates and personnel with disabilities | UNICEF Careers, UNCIEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.”.

Remarks:

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates).

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable females are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF 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 at http://www.whed.net/.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.