ICT Associate at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) plays a critical role in providing management services for life saving, peace building, humanitarian and development operators UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations System meet the world’s needs for building, peace, recovering from disaster and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. Supported by the African Regional Office based in Johannesburg, South Africa

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS in Nigeria has the following portfolios: The Niger Delta Job Creation and Conflict Prevention Initiative and the ECOWAS Agricultural Information System. Partners include; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS); State Governments and private companies.

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Office, the ICT Associate is responsible for the information technology related services and functions to support UNOPS Nigeria office in managing its operations. The ICT Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations. He/she works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and project teams in the Regional Office or Operations/Project Centre and UNOPS HQ staff ensuring successful performance in ICT management. To achieve its objectives, UNOPS Nigeria is seeking to recruit suitably qualified ICT Associate.

Position Title: ICT Associate

Vacancy code: VA/2014/B5302/4459
Department/office: AFO, CIOH, Cote d'Ivoire
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Functional Responsibilities
1. Provides effective ICT management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assessment and evaluation of information technology capacity and requirements of the office in terms of updating hardware and software to acceptable global levels. Identification and prioritization of areas where improvements need to be addressed to be able to effectively support the organization in achieving its goals and priorities. Provision of cost implications and benefits of recommendation for budget consideration.
• Contribution to the planning of global IT strategies and policies by representing the office and providing feedback on local IT requirements, technical capacity in terms of web technology, support and skills available.
• Conduct of ongoing proactive evaluation of system performance, identifying areas of inefficiencies and potential problems. Collaboration with management for corrective actions to achieve improved and uninterrupted services. Recommendation of back-up options in potential problem areas that are beyond one’s control.
• Ensuring security of information technology operation at all times. Development of back-up programmes and ensuring strict implementation.
• Establishment of control systems to ensure that all information technology equipment is maintained regularly and in proper working condition.
• Interaction with HQ and IT staff in other UN agencies in the area and participation in information exchange meetings for systems co-ordination, consistency in direction, policy and standards; also for knowledge sharing on software expertise

2. Identifies, introduces and maintains software applications, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of new areas where computerization is advantageous and applicable.
• Recommendation of applicable software packages to use, understanding user/clients specification, needs and requirements to achieve client satisfaction.
• Maintenance of application systems and in collaboration with clients/users mutual agreement on changes/modifications to existing programmes and reports generated to ensure continued system effectiveness and relevance.
• Provision of reports, ad hoc or otherwise, required for management information and as tool for decision-making.

3. Provides efficient network administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Up to date with changes in the technology and availability in the area.
• Implementation of corporate information technology policy changes applicable to the office, if any, to be compatible and up to par with other offices and achieve global IT plan.

4. Provides efficient telecommunications service, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Recommendation of strategies to ensure and improve global connectivity and telecommunication facilities.
• Proactive maintenance of telecommunications equipment to avoid interruption of service.

5. Undertakes supervisory responsibilities (applicable if supervising staff), focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Establishment of work plans, standards for performance evaluation, indicators for work progress and achievements, together with supervisee. Timely corrective actions to achieve objectives and deadlines.
• Technical guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved in line with work objectives.
• Assessment and recommendation of training needs to ensure skills are updated in accordance with relevant state of the art technology.

6. Provides support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on HR-related topics.
• Advice to management, clients and colleagues on subject matter expertise
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in human resources

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Higher education degree/Bachelors degree preferably in Information Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering or any science/logic related discipline.
• Professional qualification in relevant ICT areas would be an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the field of information technology and/or telecommunication and systems, preferably in an international development environment.
• Advanced knowledge in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required.

Competencies
UNOPS Core Values/Competencies

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for diversity
• Creativity and innovation
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Accountability
• Planning and organization skills
• Results orientation
• Strong oral and written communications skills:
• Teamwork skills
• Client orientation
• Technological awareness

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to practice areas
• Develops deep understanding in HR Management
• Promotes learning environment in the office
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Keen ability to apply theoretical and technical skills.
• Good communication skills for explaining technical subject to users with different levels of technical literacy and understanding user requirements described in layman’s term.
• Good interpersonal skills for building alliances and client services.
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Application Closing Date
24th January, 2014

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online