Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS), Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS), Division of Administration (DOA), Department of Operational Support (DOS). ARMS identifies, preserves and provides access to those records that document the history of the United Nations. ARMS is responsible for all aspects of UN recordkeeping, ranging from measures to ensure that United Nations officials create records in the course of their duties, through the management of records in United Nations offices, to preserving and making records of continuing value accessible as United Nations archives. The incumbent will report to the Senior Information Management Officer in the section.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Information Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Leads the Archives and Records Management Section’s digital preservation programme by developing and supporting secure, sustainable practices for the preservation and provision of access to digital archives throughout their lifecycle, including through the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures. • Provides advisory services on the management of digital archives, including: needs and business process analysis; organization and maintenance of UN information assets; digital records preservation and disposition; and the application of information management policies and procedures, with an emphasis on technological solutions. • Researches, analyses and evaluates new applications of information technology to digital preservation and archives and records management, and makes recommendations for their deployment. • Contributes to feasibility studies, systems analysis, design, development and implementation and in the evaluation and testing of record-keeping application improvements and new systems; provides user support in the area of digital archives management and preservation. • Develops detailed system and other functional specifications and standards from the digital preservation perspective and user documentation for systems and processes. • Develops training materials and user manuals; trains staff in the area of digital preservation and archives management. • Supports records accessioning and disposition functions by applying the life-cycle concept to information assets, including appraisal by liaising with records-originating offices regarding the transfer and/or disposal of their digital records; assures that retention schedules, registration and the transfer of digital records meets established standards; supervises General Service staff in implementing related tasks; and performs digital records appraisal. • Understands, keeps current with, and applies digital preservation techniques and strategies for UN records and in line with the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy. • Manages digital archives processing activities by overseeing adherence to international preservation, metadata, description and database standards; produces descriptive inventories; prepares mark-up of descriptive inventories for electronic dissemination; and makes recommendations regarding the planning and prioritisation of digital preservation and description programme requirements. • Supports archival reference functions by developing processes and tools by which users can search and access the digital records held by the UN Archives. • Implements new technologies and processes to ensure that tools developed for efficient access to digital archives are accessible to users. • Maintains access and declassification standards by ensuring that the Organization’s policies and practices in this area are incorporated into digital preservation and archives management systems. • Participates in developing and implementing client outreach strategies and conducts outreach and user education to improve client use of the UN’s digital archives. • Assists in programme administration, including provision of assistance to, or supervision of, contractual employees and General Service staff, formulation of consultant and institutional contracts and subsequent implementation, development of the programme budget, etc. • Performs other related duties, as required.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of information management, archival, record keeping and record disposition. Knowledge of electronic data maintenance, including appraisal, conservation and migration management; records preservation and description. Ability to conduct research and provide recommendations on information management trends. Ability to demonstrate conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills and conduct independent research and analysis, identifying and assessing issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations. 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. • 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. • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in archival, information science, information systems, social science or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in digital archives management, record keeping, library, information management or related area is required. Experience implementing digital preservation systems, such as Preservica, developing standards related to the preservation of digital archives including for example, appraisal, description, metadata requirements, and ingest is desirable. Experience preserving large datasets, particularly automating processes for the capture of digital archives, handling strictly confidential information and personal/private data with evidentiary value is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
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. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.
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.