Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. UNECA is committed to promoting geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is located in the Information and Communications Technology Services Section (ICTSS), which is part of the Division of Public Information & Knowledge Management (PIKMD). The incumbent reports to the chief of ICTSS and might be delegated to head the Strategic Advice Unit.
Within limits of delegated authority, the Information Systems Officer will be responsible for the following duties (ICT policy and guidance, Data analysis including big data, business systems analysis, Umoja deployment and post production support, all enterprise initiatives and applications: Inspira, iNeed, Unite docs, unite connections, including Business Intelligence and reporting support):
•Act as the Business Transformation Team Lead for all corporate system initiatives (e.g. Umoja, Inspira, iNeed, Unite Connections, Docs, etc.). Coordinates between UN ECA and OICT to ensure smooth transition and adoption of ICT initiatives.
•Stabilize and complete the Umoja deployment in UN ECA, its Sub-Regional Offices, IDEP, and continue to provide post-production support for all UN corporate applications.
•Supports the management in the development of a framework for the ECA service delivery model for inclusion into the Global Service Delivery Model. In collaboration with senior management, identify UN ECA opportunity assessment initiatives.
•Serves as head of Strategic Advice Unit and advises ECA Divisions and Offices on state-of-the-art and future looking information, communication and data technologies of potential value; coordinates the development of new or improved business systems; Organizes, plans and oversees ICTSS’ strategic advice activities, in line with the relevant recommendations in the ICT Strategy
•Plans and directs major systems projects of significant importance to the institution, or major components of these complex systems which typically impact critical operations and large or multiple user groups.
•Provides expert advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or respond to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures.
•Provides Umoja deployment and post production support coordination including user security and access, ECA Service deliver model, Unite service desk in UN ECA, its Sub-Regional Offices and IDEP;
•Review job profiles and skill sets to enable UN ECA to realign its administration and programme support staff to the Umoja to-be model.
•Provides support to UN ECA and its clients to driving change management activities such as organizational realignment, change readiness and impact assessments, aligning Umoja to-be roles with organizational structure. Where required, in collaboration with Umoja Production Support team identifies and aligns new job profiles.
•Assigns and manages resources to help prepare for the deployment of the UN corporate applications (Inspira, iNeed, Unite Docs, Unite Connections) enhancements and/or new releases and delegates appropriately local preparation of the data, technical, functional and training requirements.
•Acts as the coordinator between user base, management and the Unite Service Desk personnel to ensure smooth transition for all OICT initiatives.
•Manages the Umoja user security access to ensure compliance with delegation of authority and that users have access to the appropriate Umoja transactions.
•Manages the Umoja Production Support process for UN ECA, including registration, monitoring and following- up on Umoja iNeed tickets initiated by UN ECA and its clients. Communicate and implement process, solution or technology updates.
•Ensures the Local Process Experts (LPEs) and Local Umoja Focal Points (ESS focal points) continue to provide support to users on each functional area.
•Leads ECA’s Enterprise Data Management efforts to move towards an “OpenData” standard, address data architecture, extraction, transformation, movement, storage, integration and governance;
•Develops and maintains the business intelligence reporting frameworks, tools, and data marts; works cross-functionally with various business owners to determine and meet their reporting and analytics needs; and manages a team of business analysts to ensure timely high-quality reporting and analytics.
•Tracks and monitors project progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases of development and implementation.
•Is actively involved in the execution of the most complex aspects of the project (e.g. systems analysis, development, programming, etc.); oversees development of document and database structures, ensuring that all design aspects are addressed and control and security mechanisms are established.
•Prepares technical and user documentation for entire systems and interdependent applications; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies; provides leadership on introducing technological changes; prepares various technical reports.
•Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan.
•Perform any other duties as required
•Professionalism: Knowledge of information technology, particularly in business systems analysis, data analysis, Business Intelligence reporting framework, tools and data marts. Strong knowledge of the Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) Methodology. Ability to analyze business systems and/or business processes to identify user needs, document requirements, and address operation/process issues/improvements to accomplish business objectives. Knowledge of client services and business functions. Working knowledge of business process to be able to effectively drive solutions as experienced in large enterprise environments. Demonstrated experience in managing projects of moderate size/complexity, analysis and project life cycle methodologies (data flow diagrams, case tool analysis, work & process flow diagrams, FSDM, RAD. Knowledge of UN policies and practices, including IPSAS, is desirable. Demonstrated experience in implementing or supporting a large and complex ERP system. Ability to understand business operational issues, analyze and evaluate solutions, and make suitable recommendations to clients and stakeholders. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Foundation Certification in PRINCE2 or equivalent, Practitioner Certification in PRINCE2, Foundation Certification in CoB IT, Foundation Certification in ITIL, Further levels of certification in ITIL, SAP Certification, Sun Certification on the Java Platform (SCJD), IBM Solution Developer Certification and Microsoft Certification (MCSD, MCSA or MCSE) are desirable.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required. Experience in Umoja or other ERP system is highly desirable.
Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.