Information Systems Officer – P3

Org. Setting and Reporting 

The position is located in the Digital Services Section (DSS), Information Management Branch, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Officer (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

Within OCHA, the Digital Services Section (DSS) is dedicated to developing and maintaining innovative technology solutions that support the humanitarian community. The team plays a critical role in facilitating a rapid, effective, and principled response to crises, guided by humanitarian principles. Operating around the clock, DSS ensures that vital information is collected, processed, and disseminated efficiently. Key responsibilities of the DSS team include ensuring digital governance to maintain the security, reliability, accessibility, and sustainability of all OCHA’s digital products and services. The team is also driving digital transformation, advising and implementing sustainable and cost-effective technologies to modernize operations. DSS manages core OCHA services, such as ReliefWeb, and provides digital infrastructure and development support for global and field-specific web products. Additionally, the section is committed to keeping OCHA at the forefront of humanitarian information management leadership through ongoing research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence.

This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Information Systems Officer based in The Hague, Netherlands. The incumbent reports to the Programme Manager within the Digital Services Section at The Hague, Netherlands.

 

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and depending on location, the Information Systems Officer may be responsible for the following duties:    

• Manages projects involving feasibility studies, systems analysis, design, development and implementation of new, moderately complex systems, and/or, participates as a member of a development team with responsibility for major components of the more complex systems.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Develops detailed system and other functional specifications and user documentation for major systems.
• Provides specialized advice to users, analyzing users’ requirements and translating these into new applications; determines application systems integration and linkage issues.
• Maintains, upgrades or enhances existing user systems; troubleshoots and provides continuing user support, to include resolving difficult problems, advising on the use of new techniques, monitoring transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness of assigned systems, etc. 
• Oversees the development and maintenance of computer programs that require integration of many interrelated systems and program elements; ensures appropriate data security and access controls considering both local and wide area issues.
• Develops training materials, operating and user manuals; trains staff in assigned systems.
• Develops disaster recovery plans and ensures appropriate planning and training of those responsible.
• Researches, analyzes and evaluates new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment.
• Participates in writing reports and papers on systems-related topics, system requirements, information strategy, etc.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Handles all aspects of contract administration including establishment of service level agreements with vendors and chargeback policy for users.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff, consultants, etc. 
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

 

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of information technology/information management, particularly in systems analysis, database design and programming. Knowledge of several high level programming languages and significant exposure to and demonstrated proficiency in all aspects of programming and analysis, including structured/object-oriented design, relational systems, scripting and query languages, document design and management, hardware and software requirements, systems facilities and execution protocols. Knowlege of building, securing and maintaining cloud-based solutions at-scale. Able to work effectively as part of a geographically distributed team. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, to include proficiency in the development and implementation of systems of moderate size/complexity. Knowledge of interactive systems; good knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s); independently maintains assigned systems and develops innovative approaches to resolve a wide range of issues/problems. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

• TEAMWORK:  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• 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.

 

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

 

 

Certification in a project management discipline (e.g. PRINCE 2 or Agile), is desirable.

 

Work Experience 

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required.

Experience in digital technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, ERP, automation, and digital platforms is required.

At least two (2) years of experience in designing, securing and/or managing cloud-based solutions at-scale is required.

Experience in preparation of Digital or ICT cost estimates/budgets and reporting on Digital or ICT budget/programme performance is required.

At least two (2) years within the last five (5) years of international field experience within the context of humanitarian or development affairs is desirable.

Experience supporting the implementation of digital or ICT policies, governance frameworks, and compliance procedures is desirable.

Experience configuring solutions with lo/no-code platforms (such as Office 365, Salesforce, Trello, JIRA, Power Platform) versus building custom, self-hosted solutions, is desirable.

Experience in managing or working on cloud environments such as Azure or AWS is desirable.

Experience in building or managing the development of web applications using open-source technologies (e.g. Drupal) is desirable.

 

Languages

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

 

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

 

Special Notice

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

 

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.

 

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to recruitment@cinfo.ch. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​