Associate Information Systems Officer – P2  

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Information Services Section (ISS), Information Management Branch (IMB), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Istanbul, Türkiye. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions. This position reports to the Information Systems Officer.

Responsibilities

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

• Participates in preparing user requirements and other technical specifications. 

• Assists in the design, development and installation of information systems. 

• Undertakes analysis of well-defined modules within the system, develop enhancements and new features to existing systems; may design and implement small, stand-alone systems as needed (e.g. to meet individual user requirements). 

• Undertakes rigorous testing and proving of applications software. 

• Maintains assigned portions of systems, providing operational support for system’s applications, analyzing and implementing system changes/upgrades, etc. 

• Participates in developing and maintaining Information Systems project plans, schedules, and budgets. Assists in identifying appropriate human and technical resources to complete the project, assists in assuring that deviations from project schedule are addressed and communicated, assists in developing timely project status reports, monitoring project risk factors, escalating project issues, and providing Quality Assurance for all project deliverables. 

• Writes and develops programs to interface with existing systems. 

• Ensures data security and integrity. 

• Participates in developing disaster recovery plans. 

• Prepares, updates and maintains system’s documentation and related technical/procedural manuals. 

• Assists in procurements, including conducting needs assessments and benchmarks, preparing technical specifications and evaluation criteria. 

• Assists in the set-up and monitoring of software performance measures. 

• Participates in Helpdesk support services. 

• Participates in facilitating communications between ISS and its clients for good client relations and be responsible for small to medium client accounts. 

• Assists in the development of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the client and ISS, for either specific IT services or general technology support, including any charge back mechanisms. • Advises users on the most suitable hardware and software for different tasks; maintains and enhances software. • Drafts training materials and conducts training sessions and demonstrations of systems for users. • Participates with senior staff in assessing and testing new technology. 

• Performs ad hoc duties as required. 

• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Knowledge of at least two programming languages, basic systems analysis and design techniques, testing, debugging, and documentation standards, database design, storage and internal systems. 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. 

•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. 

•Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

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

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required. Experience in information systems and software applications analysis is required. Relevant experience in managing information and communication technology systems in disaster response and/or complex emergencies in countries affected by disasters or conflict is required. Experience with the UN Common System or comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. 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 by established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record of integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support.
• When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• For Swiss nationals who get invited to the first round in the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Please let us know so that we can inform our HR partners from the respective organisation and the Swiss Government to increase  your visibility: [email protected]
  • Benefit from free interview preparation by registering for a Job Application Support.