Closing date: Sunday, 15 March 2015

Posting Title: Information Systems Officer, P4

Job Code Title: INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER

Department/ Office

Department of Field Support

Duty Station

NEW YORK

Posting Period

14 January 2015-15 March 2015

Job Opening number

15-IST-DFS-38604-R-NEW YORK (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

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.

Applicants from troop- and police-contributing countries who are found most suitable and recommended for selection will be given due consideration for positions in a peacekeeping operation or Headquarters support account funded positions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support, taking into account their contribution to United Nations peacekeeping, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 66/265 and 67/287.

This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Field Technology and Security Operations Section, Information and Communications Technology Division, Department of Field Support (DFS), and reports to the Chief, Field Technology and Security Operations Section. The Field Technology and Security Operations Section is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the Section.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Information Systems Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• 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.
• Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service.
• 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.
• Provides professional leadership and work direction to assigned project team, and/or mentor and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc.
• 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.
• Develops, implements and monitors information standards and guidelines, including testing paradigms.
• 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 programme and spending plan.

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). 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.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

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 two (2) additional years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

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. A minimum of 2 years' experience in a peacekeeping mission or field based operation is desirable. Experience in an Information and Communications Technology ( ICT) managerial position in an International environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

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' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, 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 and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.