ICT Specialist NOC

1. Orqanizational Location

The Information and Communications Technology Specialist position is located in the Regional Office and reports to the International Operations Manager. S/he receives policy and technical support from specialists in the DMS/MIS Branch in UNFPA headquarters. The incumbent provides support to the Regional Office on ICT as well as support to Country Office levels, as needed. The incumbent coordinates implementation of UNFPA global ICT development, networking and security standards in the region and coordinate›s information needs and technical support requirements.

2. Job Purpose

In direct support of UNFPA’s regional strategy to achieve ICPD goals and Millennium Development Goals, and in concert with HQ ICT policies, strategy and plans, the ICT Specialist ensures proper and effective use of ICT in the region. Key results expected include:

• Implementation of Corporate ICT Strategies and Plans
• Effective customer support
• Management of resources
• Confidentiality, integrity and availability of call ICT System

3. Major Activities/Expected  Results

A. Ensures that corporate ICT strategies and plans are correctly implemented and appropriate for Regional application:

• Analyze corporate ICT strategies and plans and adapt them for Regional environment/ conditions;
• Promote the productivity and effectiveness of the Regional Office structure by drafting and administering a relevant Regional Information Management Plan and Budget, including computerization, telecommunications and records management, and by ensuring the appropriateness of local computing and telecommunications facilities to meet programme requirements; and
• Identify needs for new or modified ICT strategies or plans, and reviews and initiates or proposes actions to HQ as required.

2. Ensures effective customer support in the area of information technology and telecommunications by providing computer training as well as troubleshooting and ad- hoc technical assistance to users, including to CO as needed:

• Provide technical and policy advice on ICT matters in a changing business environment and the implication of various alternative ICT solutions on business processes and other related issues;
• Ensure plans for various ICT projects in a given operation are developed and that work of staff and units involved is carried out in accordance with the plan;
• Employ state of the art vendor management practices to ensure that services provided by vendors are acceptable;
• Maintain, upgrade or enhance existing systems including troubleshooting and providing continuing user support including keeping stocks of spare parts and equipment to support the repair and maintenance of ICT equipment; and
• Collaborate with colleagues in MISB to define ICT training policies and programs including preparation of training modules and materials and ensure staff are appropriately trained.

3. Provides accountability for information technology resources through analysis and evaluation of office IT needs, cost-effective procurement and installation, sound maintenance, maintaining software/hardware standards, and regular inventory and reporting of hardware, peripherals  and  software:

• Design and participate in planning, preparation and monitoring of regional office, and as requested of country office, ICT budgets and plans and ensure incorporation of ICT input into project proposals; track and monitor ICT investments and recurrent costs, propose and implement methods to increase cost-efficiency;
• Manage deployment of information technology (IT), telecommunications (TC) and connectivity systems including budgeting and planning voice and data networks; and
• Research, analyze, test and evaluate new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment to ensure organization ICT infrastructure evolves appropriately as technology changes.

4. Ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the ICT system, LAN/WAN and data security, including user access to computer and telecommunications facilities.

• Monitor Inter-/lntra-net functionality, security and integrity;
• Integrates telecommunications and information technology systems and ensure appropriate data security and access controls considering both local and wide area issues;
• Conduct periodic tests of the disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements;
• Provide emergency communication capabilities in support of staff security and ensures Minimum Security Telecommunications Standards (MISTS) compliance is maintained in regional and country offices;
• Maintain a roster of qualified technical service and equipment providers for various IT related areas which can be called upon during crises or emergencies;
• Develop and maintain appropriate ICT contingency capacity in the region, prepares and regularly updates contingency and plans while ensuring that all offices are always adequately equipped; and
• Prepare operational plans and identify resource requirements at the onset of an emergency operation

5. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
    
4. Work Relations

Establishes and maintains professional contacts both with UNFPA, at HQ, RO, SRO and CO levels, and with partners in the UN community to ensure and project competence integrity in the implementation and integration of ICT activities. Advises management and staff on correct interpretation and application of UNFPA corporate ICT strategies and guidelines in support of the office’s information management needs. Specific contacts with staff at all levels builds confidence in the professionalism and capacity of the incumbent, thus promote trust and confidence. Collaborates with other IT Officers in the Region to avoid unnecessary duplication and share systems development within the region and with other regions. Collaborates with all ICT personnel in all UN Agencies in country to ensure local country IT services are fully utilized, beneficial and cost effective to UNFPA.

Job Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

5 years of progressively responsible experience in at least one activity of ICT, preferably systems development or networking.

Core Competencies: See diagram below

Functional Competencies:

• Thorough knowledge of overall design and operating principles of ICT systems and of connectivity concepts.
• Ability to integrate the needs of the office automation, available resources and systems requirements and to solve systems/hardware/software problems.
• Ability to identify telecommunication needs in the country/region and at Headquarters; excellent hands-on technical training and problem solving skills.
• Ability to build a unified but distributed user-friendly telecommunications network.
• Ability to coordinate and implement IT training plans.

      Languages:

      Fluency in English.

Other Desirable Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to actively listen and discern issues.
• Excellent analytical skills to define systemic problems and recommend plans of action, new procedures or new systems.

• Ability to work independently, to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; courtesy, tact and ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds in a team environment.

• Attention to quality and capacity to meet deadlines.

All applications should be addressed to the attention of The International Operations Manager and sent to jobs.esaro@unfpa.org on or before the closing date of 3 April 2016. Alternatively, applications can be hand delivered to the following physical address:

UNFPA ESARO
Sunninghill Place
9 Simba Road
Sunninghill
Johannesburg

All applications are to be accompanied by the attached completed and signed Personal History form (P11 Form - see above), CV, proof of qualifications and cover letter with a clear reference to the position being applied for.

 NB: This position is open to South African Nationals/Citizens only.