Information Technology Infrastructure Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.

Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UN Environment’s mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
UNEP’s digital transformation vision focuses on developing the organization’s capability to lev-erage existing, emerging, and future data and digital technologies and the opportunities they offer to profoundly improve the way UNEP creates and delivers value and benefits for those we serve. The vision is based on an open innovation approach enabling the effective co-design of innovative solutions with strategic partners, civil society and citizens.
UNEP is building a World Environment Situation Room (WESR) that will provide the contextualized and interpreted data on changes to the environment over space and time. This role will support the development and operation of the new WESR platform, working with colleagues within UNEP and OICT to determine the requirements for hosting and operating the new platform, and making sure it runs smoothly and efficiently.

Task description

Under the direction of and reporting to the Head of the WESR:
· Works collaboratively with UNEP and UNON OICT colleagues to identify and document hosting and operational requirements for the new WESR platform
· Understands and documents user needs and requirements related to the new WESR platform and communicates effectively with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring these needs are considered during implementation and operation.
· Assists in the configuration and management of IT infrastructure for the new WESR platform ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently.
· Supports the implementation of data pipelines using ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes using various tools and technologies.
· Contributes to the development and maintenance of user documentation as well as training of users for the new WESR platform.
· Monitors platform performance and troubleshoots any technical issues that may arise.
In undertaking these duties, the Junior IT Infrastructure Specialist will establish and maintain relationships to support collaboration with data, statistical, scientific, and other specialists/analysts, as well as technical staff across UNEP and in UN as well as representatives in national governments, international organizations, consultants, and NGOs.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
· Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
· Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
· Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
· Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
· Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/Expected Outputs
The Junior IT Infrastructure Specialist will support the development and operation of the new WESR platform, working with colleagues within UNEP and OICT to determine the requirements for hosting and operating the new platform, and making sure it runs smoothly and efficiently.