Deputy Director (ICT Solutions and Applications Services) At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Deputy Director (ICT Solutions and Applications Services)

Duty Station: Valencia, Spain

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade D1

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 18 October 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname;

The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Deputy Director (ICT Solutions and Applications Services) leads and drives the design, development, delivery, and support of information technology solutions (products, projects, tools, and application environments) to translate the business requirements managed through the business relationship management cluster into new, enhanced, or extended solutions and services. In addition, the Deputy Director (Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Solutions and Applications Services) oversees, leads, and guides the Sub-Teams supporting the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and internal capabilities systems, migrant solutions ecosystem including Migrant Management Operations System Application (MiMOSA) and MigApp, project development monitoring and reporting solutions (Project Information and Management Application (PRIMA)), business intelligence reporting, Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics and insights, and partnership focused digital tools and platforms, ensuring a sustainable ‘steady state’ and data management of existing core application systems and their underpinning technologies.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Leadership and coordination of IT business applications development

• Provide leadership in the design of optimized business applications solutions and related services that are aligned with the business needs; incorporating conceptual analysis, design, development, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement of IOM’s major systems that support IOM operations and programmes and cover all essential areas which include: enterprise resource planning; enterprise content; documents and records management; collaboration and social media technology solutions; business intelligence/performance management; partnership engagement and management; customer relationship management systems; surveying and data gathering and mobile device based solutions such as MigApp; geospatial, mapping and presence; and intrinsically enable efficiencies through workflow automation and process simplification.
• Provide leadership and technical and strategic direction for establishing and positioning system development life cycles management policies, procedures for following technical standards, and the identification and selection of supporting tools. Sets the frameworks for development methodologies based on industry best practices, allowing both agile and dynamic settings, and situations that mandate rigid quality management approaches. Ensures that development teams follow the applicable methodologies. Develop mechanisms for cost effective solution development, flexibility, maintainability and resilience of applications and services that support IOM business and programmatic systems. Partner and engage closely with internal ICT stakeholders for effective and efficient operating model implementation.
• Provide strategic advice and direct the definition, development and deployment of transformational IT capabilities while maintaining defined service levels; executing on the continuous improvement of the existing software applications and architecture and consistently ensure quality deliverables; strategic guidance on application solutions, architectures, integration strategies, governance, quality assurance and business support processes; provide technical leadership and guidance on software development tools, technology and application development methodologies; engage with the business and technology interplay to drive the continuous evolution from Waterfall into Agile methodologies. Develop capabilities in frontier technology for applied solutions and scaling for programme results including ethical use of information (security, privacy) and user centered design of applications. Play the lead role in enterprise applications architecture and data strategy.

IT applications strategy formulation and implementation for results

• Shape thinking and reasoning on how technology solutions can support IOM strategic goals and identify cutting edge technologies that will support and improve programme implementation monitoring and solutions, as well as operations efficiency. Work with organizational business groups to define strategy for organizational Business Intelligence, Workforce Automation, Customer Relationship Management, and Digital & Mobile technologies, and the provision of relevant solutions. Provides – to systems development managers, organizational business relationship groups and other concerned with automation issues – a variety of advisory services and guidance on the ICT solutions for migrants, modern software development tools, pre-packaged business and programmatic cloud solutions and options. Represent the CIO in UN interagency frameworks and forums related to ERP and other business information systems.
• Build a roadmap for applications to support the ICT Strategy for the delivery of increased organizational capabilities, improved IT operational stability, effectiveness, and efficiency. Develop the technology plan in support of key business objectives and with consideration of relevant industry trends; influence and implement change strategies that improve end-to-end execution of IT investment projects to reduce cost and improve ICT delivery. Provide technology vision and leadership and cultivate a culture of empowerment and accountability. Adapt strategies and tactics to get essential processes and practices in place, make improvements to achieve organizational success.

Technology solutions for programme support

• Plan and lead teams for solution delivery and support through the Solutions Life Cycle, in close collaboration with functional business groups across Headquarters, Regional Offices and Field Offices. Ensure that teams have appropriate products and technical specifications, direction, and resources to deliver projects on an aggressive, but achievable timelines. Lead and coordinate the delivery of applications development projects through the application of comprehensive Streaming Lossless Data Compression (SLDC) processes. Lead the building of integrated solutions on a common solution foundation, including management of interdependencies with other information technology solutions to create a world-class end-user experience.
• Lead consultations and collaborations with business units and develop effective partnerships with private and public institutions on emerging technologies and tools than can be applied to IOM and provide technology-enabled solutions that contribute to the achievement of the IOM programme goals and objectives. Collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders at Country Offices, Regional Offices, and global levels to leverage decentralised support to ensure end to end delivery of endorsed solutions that maximize productivity.

Management, oversight, and support

• Build and maintain vendor partnerships by leading negotiations for applications support contracts; identify efficient and effective software solutions for new applications. Interact with vendors and vendor technical support for systems maintenance and enhancement. Ensure third level support for applications, and the effective transition of applications to production in close collaboration with other ICT groups as required.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in in Computer Sciences, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related fields with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in an international development context as elaborated below:

• Senior level hands-on experience with program/project management and ICT-enabled solutions.
• Extensive experience with solution architecture, business process analysis and design, and planning associated with strategy and program execution.
• Extensive experience with Web/mobile solutions, data management and business intelligence solutions; work force automation and customer relationship management solutions; and,
• Experience in managing major custom or packaged implementation projects with experience in delivering to a large or geographically dispersed user base, Internet Solution experience preferred.

Skills

• Solid understanding of technology concepts related to application/database design, application security, and application architecture principles.
• Capacity to drive change across the organization (i.e., ability to reach out and partner, understanding of working in decentralized organizational culture, work effectively with other Divisions, mission, and Regional Offices).
• Ability to build and foster working relations with key stakeholders in the organization – including HQ Divisions, Regional and mission Offices – to leverage and maximize the impact of organizational assets to promote children’s issues on the global agenda.
• Ability to seize accountability, manage and prioritize multiple projects and resources concurrently, developing budgets and managing forecasts for IT investments.
• Clear understanding of software development lifecycle and application support; working knowledge of networking and systems design.
• Familiarity with system development methodologies (preference for software product engineering and management.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements with customer focus.
• Ability to keep current with industry trends and cultivate Innovation in ICT.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

1 Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.