ICT Manager (Senior Architect, Core Infrastructure), P4, Fixed-term, #1608, ICTD Digital Core – Valencia, Spain

We are looking for an ICT Manager (Senior Architect, Core Infrastructure) who is a technical lead with strong managerial skills, strategically guiding a team designing and operating CORE IT infrastructure. The Senior Architect also plays an instrumental role in shaping the IT landscape of our organization.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a digital future

The overarching ICT strategic goal is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally through innovative technology solutions.

The Core Infrastructure Services is a unit for global architecture, engineering and operation of Cloud (IaaS & PaaS) and on-premises infrastructure and platforms in UNICEF. Hybrid Infrastructure is a fundamental building block and most critical of UNICEF Enterprise IT Systems of the unit’s portfolio.

The position is under the supervision of the Chief, Technology Architecture and Operations, and will be supervising a team of 8 staff members.

How can you make a difference? 

The role is a dynamic and pivotal one within the ICT Division. The incumbent is a technical lead with strong managerial skills, strategically guiding a team designing and operating CORE IT infrastructure. The Senior Architect also plays an instrumental role in shaping the IT landscape of our organization.  

Key responsibilities:  

Manages and leads the Core Infrastructure team: 

• Provides leadership and supervision to the Core Infrastructure team  . 
• Establishes clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; provides timely guidance to enable the team to achieve their goals. Motivates and inspires staff so they perform at their best.  
• Identifies training opportunities to meet staff development needs aligning with the Section goals. 
• Builds a positive and collaborative work culture. 
• Nurtures and empowers talent so staff can reach their full potential. 

Develops/Designs CORE IT Infrastructure Architecture:  

• Cloud Infrastructure Design: Technical lead for planning and overseeing hosting and transitioning of on-premises resources to cloud-based solutions. This includes creating a secure and scalable cloud architecture that aligns with the organization’s IT strategy.  
• Operating Systems Architecture: Leading the design and development of both client and server operating systems. This includes creating streamlined and simplified OS images that improve performance and user experience.  
• Corporate Managed Windows Client Device Architecture: Responsible for designing modern device identity and management solutions that provide secure access controls across the organization. 
• Endpoint Mobility Design: Leads development of strategies for managing Windows client devices in a zero-trust environment. This includes designing systems that securely enable access to on-premises infrastructure and applications.  
• Endpoint Security Architecture: Responsible for development of server and client security architecture and compliance policies that protect the organization’s IT infrastructure in collaboration with Cybersecurity Unit. This includes managing secure access controls, password rotations, and other security measures related to back-end infrastructure and client endpoints. 
• CORE Infrastructure Field Engagement: Leads development of architecture solutions for and with Field Office, Regional and Headquarters IT experts to co-develop new technologies and manages transition to production. Provides architectural guidance and support for the local infrastructure provided by IT staff globally. 

Operations – CORE IT Infrastructure:  

• Cloud Infrastructure Management: Manages the operational side of the hybrid infrastructure environments within the cloud platform and on-premises. This includes improving resource governance and cost management.  
• Entra ID & Active Directory-based Identity and DNS Systems Operation: Oversees maintenance, operation and implementation of new features of existing Entra ID and Active Directory-based identity and DNS systems.  
• Administrator Engagement and Support: Collaborating with administrators in the field, regional and headquarters systems to co-develop new technologies and manage transitions, providing architectural guidance and support for local infrastructure.  

Project Management & Other:  

• Under guidance from Chief, TAO leads the execution of internal CORE Infrastructure projects and initiatives, ensuring their alignment with organizational strategic goals and deliver high-quality outcomes. 
• TeamOne and Strategic Learning: Promotes adoption of latest technologies in the expertise area, such as Hybrid Infrastructure, Infrastructure as Code, Modern Management, Identity, and AI among internal and external teams.  
• Stays updated with industry trends and best practices through various industry conferences and training events. 
• Oversees the development and management of IT standards within the context of the UNICEF enterprise IT architecture to ensure appropriate degrees of standardization. Coordinates regularly with other IT teams and IT Field officers to ensure that all UNICEF OS and hardware standards are up-to-date and properly documented. 
• Manages team’s engagement in analysis, testing, documentation and implementation new releases, patches, fixes, service packs and upgrades of standard operating systems (OS) and other software adopted by UNICEF. Oversees activities in hands -on tests of pre-release versions of these software to validate and ensure compatibility, scalability, reliability and security. 
• Evaluates proposals and negotiates contracts for IT systems related to Core Infrastructure 
• Any other related duties as requested by the Chief of section. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced degree in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical sciences.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with an additional 2 years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Training in current theories of information technology and operating systems architectures.
• Training in a related technical or engineering discipline, including course work in technical developments and application of leading-edge information technology.

• Work Experience: At least 8 years professional experience at the national and international levels in information technology focusing on client/server operating systems, networks and/or web/ internet applications development.
• Exposure to networked systems management, databases, object oriented languages and tools, security, and enterprise-level operations.
• Practical experience in managing professional staff and leading enterprise level platform migrations or upgrades of hardware, operating systems or large-scale applications (e.g., email).
• Practical experience in working and negotiating with consultants and vendors in an international environment.
• Skills:
• Strong and effective oral and written communications skills
• Good listening and interpersonal skills 
• Good negotiation, leadership and managerial skills.
• Strong technical planning and organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management skills and at establishing priorities. 
• Ability to initiate and direct technical projects in support of IT architecture objectives.
• Ability to develop and evaluate requests for proposals on IT matters. Ability to understand and adapt business processes.
• Ability to promote standards and procedures while building consensus across various disciplines and interest groups on major IT issues.
• Possess extensive knowledge in most of the following areas: Current technological trends in cloud computing, operating systems, client and server and related software tools.
• Disciplines within information technology including internet, networking, web applications development, multi-media, databases, cyber security, data center operations, IT equipment, and/or systems.
• Practices and principles of information technology in a large scale and global environment

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

Additional benefits for eligible international professional staff members include: 

• Paid holidays and leave, including 2.5 days of annual leave accrual per month and 10 official holidays per year 
• Paid parental leave (maternity, paternity and adoption) 
• Dependency allowance  
• Rental subsidy  
• Relocation support  
• Home leave travel  
• Education grant for children in school 
• United Nations-sponsored medical and dental insurance plan, pension plan, and optional life insurance plan  
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning, and learning path  
• Access to staff well-being and career development support  

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.