UN Women: Information Communication Technology (ICT) Associate

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Information Systems and Telecommunication (IST) Section, located in DMA (Division of Management and Administration), is responsible for the strategic planning and development of ICT solutions and services, information security, sourcing of information systems and equipment to support business needs and for the maintenance, availability, reliability, and quality of performance of information and telecommunications systems and services globally in all UN Women offices.  

Under the overall guidance of Chief IST and direct supervision of the Manager, Platform and Services, the ICT Associate provides ICT and administrative support services to the Platform and Service team, including support for telecommunications, desktop hardware and software systems, Local Area Network infrastructure and corporate productivity tools such as Office 365. The ICT Associate promotes a client-oriented approach. The Associate backstops the Manager, Platform and Services team and is to identify computer and network related problems and update UN Women’s personal computing technology facilities including desktops, laptops and Operating Systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supports implementation of ICT management systems, Cloud strategies and headquarters systems, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compliance with corporate information management, cloud technology standards, guidelines and procedures for the UN Women technology environment.
• Provision of inputs to preparation of results-oriented work plans of the internal UN Women ICT Orientation Procedures with a focus on supporting headquarters core systems and the field offices.
• Provision of inputs to the implementation of results-oriented annual ICT Work plan and Standard Operating Procedures for ICT Cloud services.

Ensures effective functioning of the UN Women hardware and software packages, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Management and maintenance of IST Core Cloud Infrastructure: including but not limited to Resource Groups, Virtual Machines, Virtual Networks, Log Analytics, Load Balancers, Role-Based Access Management, and Backup Vaults.
• Performance of specific technical functions, including the management and maintenance of the IST Core Cloud Infrastructure, which is critical to support the headquarters systems and the future field offices systems.
• Installation, configuration, and maintenance of Resource Templates on Azure Cloud Infrastructure based on established guidelines and processes, to enhance the productivity of the headquarters systems and field offices.
• Installation, configuration, and maintenance of Resource Templates on Azure Cloud Infrastructure based on established guidelines and processes, to enhance the productivity of the headquarters systems and field offices.
• Implementation and maintenance of security measures for IST Cloud Infrastructure Resources, Templates, and Policies as per defined guidelines and processes.
• Prepare operating system image build for global deployment to ensure end user system stability and reliability.
• Prepare plan to deploy operating system update are rolled out to ensure quality and features are delivered on timely manner.
• Prepare and orchestrate software Global software delivery package for UN Women
• Providing technical support in problem isolation and resolution for problems related to both desktop and network systems, including virus related problems
• Coordination with technicians from external service providers and vendors on installation, repairs and upgrade of UN Women ‘s network cabling system and related equipment
• Coordination with vendors/service technicians in repairs and replacements of desktop and printers
• Keeping abreast of networking and security technology trends and developments.

Ensures effective management and administration of network resources and user accounts, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provision & maintain UN Women Headquarters Infrastructure Resources and configuration elements, to improve availability at all times, Implementing LAN upgrades and infrastructure modifications/repairs. 
• Monitoring of the network and Cloud resources connection on a daily basis to ensure a stable and responsive network environment for desktop and laptop computers in both headquarters and field offices.;
• Trouble-shooting and monitoring of network problems. Ensure that the UN Women desktop and network resources are protected from malicious virus attacks and deploy countermeasures in the event of the attacks;
• Maintenance of measures on place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes, including backup and restoration of servers, data and business processes.
• In coordination with the ICT Help Desk, response to user needs and questions regarding network access and assistance in trouble-shooting PCs and workstation clients to the central LAN/WAN network, intranet, internet and monitoring of network problems procedures

Assist and provide support for a reliable and effective telecommunications services for UN Women, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

•  Assist with configuration, system testing, and trouble shooting of all telecom services, systems including cloud-based applications, and services.
• Ensure all existing equipment, software application, and cloud resources are updated to the current revision states for efficient functioning systems.
• Monitor the bandwidth, usage and throughput for connectivity, troubleshooting network traffic related issues and enforce networking securing policies including firewalls and VPNs.
• Ensures all existing equipment and software application are updated to the current revision states.
• Assist with the design, testing, implementation and rollout of new products and services to the UN Women.
• Assist with the development user guides for new products and services and provide end user training.
• Ensure prompt escalation of technical issue to external service providers and specialist, in overall, ensuring continuity of business continuity and full use of ICT tools, and timely recovery for all stalled ICT tools and equipment.

Provision of administrative and procurement support, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance of an up-to-date inventory of software, installation checklist, and hardware and digital assets for headquarters including ICT related reference materials, Software distribution and licenses.
• Maintenance of the inventory and stock of supplies and spare parts in cooperation with the Procurement Unit.
• Maintenance of the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials.
• Assistance with provision and allocation of new ICT equipment for the UN Women based on a cost-recovery arrangement, provision of hardware technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets, review of quotations and bids;
• Extraction of data from various sources, research and retrieval of data from internal and external sources; preparation of statistical charts, tables and reports as required.
• Review invoices from Suppliers and service providers, ensuring payment of invoices on a timely basis and charge-back of end-users
• Provision of advice on and assistance in procurement of new equipment for the SROs and projects, provision of technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets, review of quotations and bids.
• Participation and assistance in the organization of related corporate wide training for the staff on ICT issues.
• Efficient tracking system for UN Women portable equipment and accessories, ensuring correct capturing, verification and reconciliation of asset in Asset Management module.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in UN Women, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participation and assistance in the organization of training for the UN Women staff on ICT issues.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to provide quality ICT support services
• Good knowledge of PC/LAN operating systems and desktop applications, Microsoft Windows, corporate ICT security and viral protection systems.
• Good knowledge of PC/LAN operating systems, Microsoft Windows, corporate ICT security and viral protection systems, ERP
• Proficiency in telecommunications technology, Digital and IP PBX and Call Accounting software applications, and IP routing and Windows server operations
• Good Knowledge of web design, database programming and Enterprise Resource Planning Software, SharePoint services and MOSS
• Good Knowledge of TCP/IP Windows Network administration; Microsoft Active Directory, firewalls, VPNs, VoIP and wireless networking technology
• Excellent PC hardware troubleshooting skills. Knowledge and practical experience with Audio Visual equipment, video conferencing and telecommunication

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education required.
• Relevant professional/ICT technical support certifications in hardware and software management and application are required.
• A+ Certified and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) are required.
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an asset. 
• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field is an asset.

Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of relevant working experience, including network administration, support to management of hardware and software platforms, telecommunications facilities and experience with Windows-based packages/applications is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in Microsoft 365 application and Azure is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Note: GS fixed-term appointment (FTA) positions located in New York are open to candidates who are either US Permanent Residents, US Citizens or holders of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN Systems based in New York.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: . Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)