Background Information – Job-specific

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

IT Group – Background

The UNOPS Information Technology Group (ITG) unit is focused on innovation and harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver solutions to UNOPS that truly address business needs.

Working with UNOPS IT Group is a unique opportunity to deliver systems to users around the world – making an impact on development and solving practical problems for the UNOPS workforce and thereby help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

ITG’s goal is to provide greater effectiveness, efficiency, and differentiation to UNOPS products and services. UNOPS IT Group is responsible for architecting, designing, delivering, and managing all UNOPS IT infrastructure and business applications. The unit includes Enterprise Architects, Business Analysts, Solutions Designers, Developers and QA Testers from all around the world who are based primarily in Denmark and Thailand.

 

Functional Responsibilities

 

1. Software testing:

• Liaise with Product Managers and Solutions Designers to understand business and functional requirements for the purpose of test case creation
• Write and execute test cases for given requirements / user stories in a timely manner with high quality;
• Perform end user testing based upon provided requirement specifications / user stories;
• Review and analyse users stories / use cases / requirements for validity and feasibility
• Provide continuous feedback (both written and verbal) to development team members, business analysts, product owners and end users in a clear and concise manner;
• Identify and communicate test schedule or testing related risks to the QA Team Lead
• Test software using appropriate techniques and support data quality verification
• Liaise with development team members to identify and reproduce bugs and errors identified by end users;
• Execute all levels of software testing (System, Integration, and Regression) for UNOPS IT applications;
• Work together with development team members and business analysts to understand the scope of the projects and provide objective feedback
• Act as a backup tester for other functional areas than the primary assigned

2. Test automation and process improvement

• Support the implementation of automated software testing;
• Propose solutions for increasing testing efficiency and simplifying root cause analysis;
• Test design and execution tools that adapt to the increasing complexity of UNOPS IT applications;
• Proactively identify risks and possible improvements for software testing processes and procedures;
• Stay updated with guidelines, policy, documentation to better understand testing processes and best practices;

3. Knowledge Management

• Contribute to knowledge sharing activities from the QA team, identifying relevant successes and failures through which the team can benefit
• Support the continuing effective collaboration between ITG internal teams through proactive communication with all ITG personnel
• Assist in the development of documented, standard processes for QA

 

Competencies

 

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Requirements:

• Secondary Education is required;
• University Degree, preferably in Computer Science or Information Technology is an advantage and can substitute for some of the required years of experience;
• QA testing certification is required

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 6 years of experience in the software industry working with software and web based testing is required with secondary education; 2 years of experience is required in combination with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Understanding of different types of tests and approaches to testing is required
• Knowledge of test automation and/or SQL is required;
• Experience in writing high quality test cases, performing end user testing, documenting and communicating test results is required;
• Exposure to one or more of the following business domains: Finance, Payroll, HR or Project Management is highly desired;
• Experience in testing Salesforce solutions is desired;
• Experience with varying levels of testing/project complexity and understanding of different software methodologies or frameworks such as Waterfall, Agile or PRINCE2 is highly desired;
• Experience working in International Organizations would be an advantage

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

 

Contract type, level and duration

 

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement – ICA
Contract level: Local ICA6- ICS6
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.