SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER

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 within the Department of Operational Support (DOS), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC)/United Nations Information and Communication Technology Facility (UNICTF) in Valencia (Spain) within the Office of the Chief, Service for Geospatial Information and Telecommunications Technologies (SGITT). The incumbent will report to the Chief, Service for Geospatial Information and Telecommunications Technologies (SGITT) or other designated officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Information Systems Officer may be responsible for the following duties: • Conceptualizes, develops strategy for and oversees the design and implementation of major systems initiatives and/or projects for SGITT external customers; manages/oversees multiple, concurrent and often disparate tasks for projects that often involve innovative applications and highly complex system integration and linkages. • Identifies services for external customers and how to optimize these services; agrees on service level and quality. Negotiates and establishes Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the external non-Department of Operational Support (DOS) supported customers . • Provides authoritative technical and policy advice to senior managers on processes and/or systems development/ improvements in a changing business environment on Communications and Information Technology (ICT) systems hosting and other related issues for SGITT customers; identifies and plans for future needs; develops and disseminates best practices. • Leads and directs a multi-disciplinary team of information systems officers, technologists, data analysts, project coordinators; oversees activities of the Section; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. • Provides overall guidance, support and oversight for the effective management of the functions within the section; Effectively leads, coordinates and directs all aspects of the Section; • Facilitates the implementation of innovative and intuitive technology solutions that enhances work across mission pillars and facilitates technological problem solving and decision making at all levels: • Manages procurements, including conducting needs assessments and benchmarks, preparing bid documents and arranging contracts; supervises, coordinates and negotiates the services required to enable the management and operation of interdependent administrative, financial, human resources and other information systems. • Provides guidance to external customers in defining their needs and communicates this to SGITT in order to achieve desired outcomes. • Negotiates agreements with the external customers, resolves disputes, makes changes or amends the agreements . • Develops and monitors performance measures; ensures that projects of initial CIT systems, implementation meet established time and cost parameters and standards of technical quality expected by customers. • Prepares and monitors the budget, work program, and spending plan for CIT support services for customers . • Ensures that all mechanisms are in place for cost recovery, oversight process and monitor performance. • Develops innovative solutions to resolve intricate problems that impact a critical area of the service provision to SGITT customers. • Ensures the development of standards, procedures and practices to ensure a stable and effective systems environment. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning , decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of systems design, and development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex information systems. Ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters. Knowledge of a range of computer languages and development paradigms, knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s). Ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Ability to advise senior management on complex systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters. Ability to improve processes and approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities. Knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s); strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues. 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. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, business or public administration, finance, statistics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

• Certification in Project/Programme Management methodology by an accredited body (e.g., PMP, PGMP, PRINCE 2 Foundation Project Management certification or practitioner level) or equivalent is desirable. Certification in ITIL v.4 ( (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) Foundation is desirable. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic planning, design, and implementation of major projects in business systems, information technology or related area is required. At least 3 years of experience in managing diverse teams and fostering diverse partner relationships in a multifaceted organizational environment is required. Experience leading change management or complex innovation initiatives involving collaboration and partnership is required. Experience in advising and providing recommendations to senior officials on complex financial and administrative matters is required. Experience in designing cost plan and service rate cards for the provision of services in complex service provider environment is desirable Experience in budget preparation, establishment of cost recovery framework, contract management, SLA development and negotiation is desirable . Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The position is 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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.

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 there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The 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 according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. 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 reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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.