Chief Information Officer and Director

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties:

• Lead the development of the IT strategy aligned with UNHCR’s key strategic directions and priorities, collaborating closely with stakeholders across the organization.
• Prepare UNHCR for the future by experimenting with and adopting emerging technologies to address business challenges.
• Forge and nurture strategic partnerships both internally and externally on a global scale to catalyse transformative technology initiatives and facilitate innovation.
• Ensure the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust cybersecurity strategies and protocols to safeguard organizational assets and mitigate cyber threats.
• Direct the development and maintenance of enterprise architecture frameworks to align IT strategies with business objectives, ensuring optimal efficiency, scalability, and innovation.
• Align cloud computing with business objectives, integrating solutions efficiently while ensuring compliance, cost-efficiency, and managing associated risks through effective evaluation and ongoing security measures.
• Drive strategic utilization of big data, oversee the development of robust data architecture, and lead analytics initiatives to derive actionable insights that inform decision-making and drive organizational growth.
• Steer the strategic utilization and ethical deployment of Artificial Intelligence, including Generative AI and large language models, to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and foster responsible AI governance within the organization.
• Strengthen accountability and oversight for information and IT resources, services, and activities across a decentralized organizational structure, while also addressing challenges associated with unauthorized IT deployments.
• Develop and implement robust systems and protocols to detect and prevent fraudulent activities perpetrated by users of corporate systems, ensuring the security and integrity of organizational assets and data.
• Lead the continual enhancement of IT technologies, systems, and services, optimizing internal IT delivery efficiency through process improvements.
• Provide strategic counsel and operational support to the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner in governing and leveraging information technology to enhance organizational effectiveness and achieve mission-critical goals.
• Lead and actively participate in cross-divisional and UNHCR-wide initiatives to drive positive organizational and workforce transformation.
• Ensure UNHCR’s workforce and partners are equipped to effectively respond to emergency situations through the provision of IT equipment and resources, including satellite and other forms of emergency communications infrastructure and support.
• Develop and implement comprehensive policies, standards, and guidelines for technology and services, ensuring alignment with the overarching IT vision and strategy.
• Oversee the selection and management of external strategic suppliers to ensure alignment with the organization’s IT strategy and business objectives, as well as fostering collaborative partnerships to drive innovation.
• Foster an inclusive workplace culture valuing everyone, respecting and celebrating differences, and ensuring equitable treatment and opportunities for all.
• Lead risk assessments, integrate risk management in strategic decisions, and ensure allocation of funds for risk mitigation. Foster discussions with teams to manage risks and seize opportunities aligned with objectives, keeping the risk register updated, and escalating risks as necessary.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Years of Experience / Degree Level
• For D2 – 18 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 17 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education:

• Information Technology,                   Information Management,                 Business Administration

Relevant Job Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum 16 years of supervisory experience in an international, decentralized and/or multinational environment OR a minimum of 16 years in information systems and telecommunications with exposure to diverse information and communication technology fields.
• Of these 16 years, at least 10 years should be in an international capacity and in a job similar or close to the functional area that is directly relevant to the current position.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with corporate and external counterparts, as well as with senior UNHCR officials.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing enterprise objectives in a dynamic operating environment.
• Proven experience in partnership building to connect with various stakeholders to create opportunities to collaborate, co-create and innovate.
• Experience in managing and leading large organizations and complex budgets.
• Prior experience in successfully managing a diverse group of highly skilled professionals; capacity to motivate teams to excel in competitive markets within the context of a multilateral organization.
• Strong track record of sound professional and personal judgment demonstrated ability to exercise independence in decision-making.
• Proven ability to formulate, articulate and implement a vision and strategy for IT; and demonstrated ability to lead multicultural and multidisciplinary teams of professionals within demanding, high-profile organizations.
• Commitment to a strong and healthy culture of honesty, trust, openness, integrity, and accountability.
• Knowledge of strategic corporate information and/or IT management, operations management, IT infrastructure, and solution systems.
• A high degree of initiative, broad functional experience, and sound judgement in assessing the beneficial use of technological investment on an organization-wide basis and ability to devise solutions to complex problems.
• Demonstrated mastery of management practices/standards and processes with exposure to provision of support services in an international / global organization, preferably within the UN.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead staff in an international, multi-cultural, solutions and service-oriented context.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical investments, projects and programmes to non-technical senior managers.
• Field experience in a global enterprise or organization.

Functional Skills:

• MG-Strategy Development and Implementation
• MG-Partnership Development
• MG-People Management
• MG-Stakeholder Management
• MG-Management Planning
• MG-Coordination

• MG-Delegation

Language Requirements :

• For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Source:  https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Geneva-Switzerland/Chief-Information-Officer-and-Director_JR2441570