Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide. This position is located in the Platform Support Unit (PSU) within the Infrastructure Operations Section (IOS) of the Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunication Technologies (SGITT) at UNGSC, Brindisi, Italy. The incumbent will report to the Chief PSU or designated officer.

Responsibilities

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

• Participates in the development, programming, testing, debugging and implementation of new application systems releases, modules and functionalities.
• Develops, tests and implements simple computer application systems and programs using UN- established standards for IT technologies, programming languages and tools.
• Serves as team member in the planning, specification, design, development, implementation and support of computer application systems; independently liaises with users to define and specify requirements.
• Installs computer application systems software and hardware according to specifications; monitors computer applications systems using appropriate monitoring tools and produces monitoring reports.
• Prepares technical and user documentation for deployed computer application systems, as well as training materials and conducts technical presentations.
• Maintains functional specifications for computer application systems, programs and procedures developed and/or modified.
• Provides support for deployed computer application systems, including version management, data recovery and deployment to users’ offices; performs ongoing reviews with users and developers and responds to users’ requests.
• Drafts correspondence and communications, including work plan revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.
• Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of computer application systems development projects, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests; prepares standard terms of reference; processes and follows-up on administrative actions and resolves issues related to project implementation, e.g. organization of and participation in training, procurement of equipment and services, etc.
• Implements and administers hybrid cloud storage, backup and replication solutions following the defined data protection strategy.
• Automates storage and data protection deployments using Infrastructure as a Code and configuration management solutions.
• Acts as technical focal point on backup and data protection projects, including hands-on configuration of complex components.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field; performs benchmarking and proposes new acquisitions.
• Provides guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of organizational information infrastructure, including hardware, software and application systems. Knowledge of relevant programming language(s) and ability to use programming skills to develop information systems. Knowledge of system development workflow and document flow processes, ability to conduct research and gather information from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. Ability to respond to changing requirements and assignments, ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. 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 is required. Successful completion of a degree or a recognized professional certification of minimum 30 hours (such as: Google Data Analytics Certificate (Coursera), Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), 20778B – Analyzing Data with Power Bl, IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera), SAP Business Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera) is desirable. Job – Specific Qualification ITIL Foundation – IT Service Management Certification is desirable. Certification in Project/Programme Management methodology or equivalent issued by an accredited body (e.g. PMP, PGMP, PRINCE 2 Foundation Project Management certification or practitioner level) is desirable. Any data protection certification is desirable. Any Virtualization certification is desirable. Any Automation related certification is desirable. Work Experience At least seven (7) years of experience in information systems analysis and programming, systems administration and maintenance, software development, technical writing or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in managing ICT projects involving feasibility studies, systems analysis and project management, for the development and implementation of complex systems is required. Experience with storage and data protection technologies in complex and multilocation environments is desirable. Experience in managing virtual environments, monitoring tools and public cloud services is desirable. Experience in applying data analysis to inform decisions, and use of analytical tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, R, Python) to produce visualizations or trend analysis for reports or briefings is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year with possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds. These positions are financed by extra-Budgetary funds. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (FTA-limited) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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…