Chief of Information Management, Communications and Technology Section

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. This position is located in the Information Management, Communications and Technology Section, in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Director, Administration.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Administration, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

• Provides policy guidance to the Director of the Division, and Head of Entity, as needed, on ICT strategy development and management of the implementation of overall ICT strategies, policies and procedures through leveraging the use of latest technology, including but not limited to AI, robotics powered automation platforms, best business practices, project management, data analytics, creativity and innovative thinking for better business intelligence, decision support and knowledge management.
• Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; conceptualizes and oversees ICT projects’ lifecycle closely: requirement analysis, specification, design, development, testing, deployment and support; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
• Manages, supervises and directs the team to ensure ICT connectivity between ESCAP and its remote offices (regional institutes and sub-regional offices) with robust monitoring measures to support business continuity on-site and off-site for ESCAP HQ and its remote offices; develops innovative solutions and defines business models for cost recovery depending on services provided.
• Provides substantive input, authoritative technical and policy advice to the senior management team on information security; reviews ICT risk assessments regularly; ensures that ESCAP keeps the certification in ISO-27001.
• Contributes to the reporting on budget/programme performance, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Ensures that the development of high standard ICT service delivery, procedures and practices as outputs produced by the Section in maintaining a stable and effective systems environment; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data, as well as ensuring client satisfaction of the service provided.
• Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; develops strategies and programmes related to data management and governance and support to the Management of ESCAP in relation to transforming ESCAP’s business model through digital transformation technologies.
• Carries out administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit/Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (ePerformance), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
• Recruits staff for the Section, taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit/Section and across organizational boundaries.
• Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on information technology and telecommunications related issues.
• Participates in international, regional or national meetings on information technology and telecommunications related issues and facilitates communications with digital and ICT experts in the broader UN family, including with the Regional and Country Operations Management Teams and relevant task forces, to build coordinated efforts towards digital transformation, in line with the Secretary-General’s Strategy. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information technology or related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems with proven record of managing client-centric service desk or related field is required. Proven experience in leading cloud-based endpoint management and business process automation projects using AI, robotics powered automation platforms is required.
• Experience in leading large scale change management project(s) related to ICT and resources realignment project(s), including briefings or presentations to senior management and external stakeholders on key initiatives and projects is required. Experience in facilitating innovation and innovative solutions is desirable.
• Experience in maintaining up-to-date knowledge of ICT technology applications, including future projections on the potential of current and new technologies, is desirable.
• Experience in data strategy development/ implementation, data-driven change or digital transformation efforts is desirable. Experience in providing policy advice to senior managers on systems development in a changing business environment and the implications of various alternatives, on business applications planned for future needs and other related issues, is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/244356?language=en