ICT Senior Assistant

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The  Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their Peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

The United Nations Global Service Center (UNGSC) under the Department of Operational Support (DOS) is responsible to provide critical Logistics, Geospatial, Information &Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide.

UNGSC is comprised of three core Service areas:

• Supply Chain Service (SCS)
• Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies (SGITT)
• Central Service (CS)

SGITT is the operational hub for the support and delivery of ICT services and solutions to field operations and it operates from two locations: UNSGC in Brindisi, Italy, and UNICTF in Valencia, Spain. SGITT supports Peacekeeping operations, Special Political Missions, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with round-the-clock, high-availability and resilient information and communications technology, and geospatial information services.

The Technology Development, Design and Planning Section (TDDPS) identifies, harnesses and operationalizes innovative and emerging technology solutions that can serve as effort/force multipliers, and provide measurable advantages and benefits over traditional approaches. The Section takes a holistic approach: from exploration, solution identification, proof of concept, introduction to field missions, streamlining and enhancing existing practices, and mainstreaming successful technologies.

The ICT Senior Assistant will carry out his/her tasks at UNGSC, SGITT/Technology Development Design and Planning Section (TDDPS)/Technology Development Unit (Unit) in Valencia (Spain). UNOPS ICT Senior Assistant supports a diverse and innovative portfolio of UAS Training, Digital Twins models generation and Unmanned Aerials Systems (UAS) Digital Forensic Services in the  Peacekeeping and AFP’s environments.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UNOPS Senior Programme Manager, the ICT Senior Assistant will work under the direct guidance of the Chief Technology Development Unit in TDDPS. The ICT Senior Assistant will administratively report to the ICT Senior Officer Technical Manager of the UAS Services Financial Agreement between UNOPS and UNGSC and will perform:

UAS Digital Forensics service delivery activities

• Develop content for delivery in the UAS Digital Forensics course.
• Support missions with their digital forensics Level 1 capability.
• Carry out Level 2 UAS Digital Forensics investigations.
• Travel to missions as required to support UAS Digital Forensics operations.
• Provide support to trained UAS digital forensics mission personnel.

UAS Training

• Travel to missions and locations selected by AFP’s as required to support UAS training delivery.
• Deliver and develop content to contribute towards ongoing UAS instructors and trainers’ courses.
• Assess UAV remote pilots’ knowledge of theory and practical flying skills.

Digital Twin

• Support Missions and AFP’s in the development of procedures for acquiring high-quality drone footage intended for photogrammetry applications, which is subsequently utilized in generating digital twin models.
• Employ photogrammetry to generate 3D models of real spaces.
• Import 3D models into web applications and XR applications to showcase them in an immersive and engaging environment.

General

• Keep abreast of developments in the field; perform benchmarking and propose new acquisitions.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonable required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Impact of results

The results of the work of the ICT Senior Assistant impact directly on the delivery of services that satisfy the requirements of the Department as well as the performance of these services implemented in the DOS supported entities, field missions, agencies, funds, programs and headquarters. The ICT Senior Officer initiates and promotes technology solutions and innovations, integrating the military, police and civilian technologies and expertise, in support of making UN peace operations safer, more effective, and efficient; and creates synergies that emphasize on enhanced operational performance, impact and capacities through the introduction of modern technology to UN peacekeeping and field missions. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring activities for all global locations are in line with the overall business targets and UN policies, rules, and regulations.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*
• CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

Education:

• Completion of Secondary education is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) may substitute for some of the required years of experience.

Required certifications

• A1/A3 EASA UAS Certificate
• Desired certifications
• Digital Forensic certificate
• A2 EASA UAS Certificate
• Master Micro UAS instructor certificate from an internationally recognized institute

Work Experience:

Required Experience:

• A minimum 3 years of work experience in UAS training and R&D;
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in Drone Digital Forensics or related field;
• A minimum of 1 year of experience working with Digital Twins or related fields;
• A minimum of 3 years of experience developing content for technical courses.

Desirable Experience:

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot technical issues
• Experience working with Extended Reality technologies
• Experience working with large data sets and quality assurance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=27997#2