ICT Senior Officer – Systems Support – [ICT Engineer] At UNOPS

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Humanitarian, Development, Peacebuilding and Partnership (HDPP) Facility to implement the activities of the “Establishment of a national platform for analysis and high-level strategic coordination on prevention ”. The HDPP Facility of the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) supports efforts to work on joint strategic priorities across the Humanitarian-Development -Peacebuilding nexus between the UN and the World Bank.

This HDPPF facility has allocated funding to the project “Establishment of a national platform for analysis and high-level strategic coordination on prevention” implemented by the office of the Resident Coordinator (RC) in Niger, which works to improve the coherence and efficiency of the action of United Nations System agencies in the country.
Three major programs are currently coordinated by the Resident Coordination Office (RCO) office, namely:

The Secretariat of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, which provides technical support to UN Agencies and CSOs receiving PBF funding:

The Spotlight Initiative which contributes to the fight against GBV. It is supported by the United Nations and the European Union.
The joint migration program is being implemented in the Agadez region.
For the United Nations, the current programming phase is marked by the exercise of the Common Country Assessment (CCA) which will feed into the drafting of the new cooperation framework between Niger and the United Nations, the UNSDCF (United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework).

However, there is an opportunity to consolidate the partnership between the UN agencies, the WB and national counterparts through the establishment of a joint monitoring and analysis mechanisms including an efficient and sustainable data collection mechanism, linked to national systems, with jointly identified and valid key indicators in line with minimum standards established by the World Bank and the Nations United in Data management.

It is in this context that the United Nations system partners with the World Bank with a view to lay the foundations for common analysis informing high level policies and strategies between the World Bank and the United Nations (meeting of May 15, 2019). They aim to help “United Nations Resident Coordinators and Country Teams from fragile and conflict-affected countries to partner with the World Bank in order to maximize the impact on the entire link between humanitarian development and peace “. Niger is therefore a priority country for the United Nations system, as well as for the World Bank.

The aim of this initiative is to: “Strengthen collective effectiveness and promote evidence-driven programming to prevent violent conflict and help build strong, inclusive and resilient societies.

Organizational Context & Project Description:

Effective monitoring and evaluation of activities and results is an essential part of the ability to conduct evidence-based programming. This has been an often-overlooked component of project implementation and it has resulted in an inability to know the real value of a given intervention. To date, reliable data and information on conflict and violence remain scarce. Where data does exist, it is not collected in a systematic way, codified, organized and shared in such a way as to allow its use in analyzes. Even baseline evaluations are rarely conducted, making it difficult for organizations to measure the impact of their interventions beyond opportunistic anecdotal evidence.
However, there is an opportunity to consolidate the partnership between the UN agencies, the WB and national counterparts through the establishment of a joint monitoring and analysis mechanisms including an efficient and sustainable data collection mechanism, linked to national systems, with jointly identified and valid key indicators in line with minimum standards established by the World Bank and the Nations United in Data management.

The aim of this initiative is to: “Strengthen collective effectiveness and promote evidence-driven programming to prevent violent conflict and help build strong, inclusive and resilient societies”.

Functional Responsibilities

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the supervision of UNOPS Project Manager the position supports the work HDPP project Team and will be responsible for the following responsibilities:

Support the design of data storage and data sharing strategy under protection principles:
Developing database structures and features according to organizational needs.
Enhance the scalability and performance of existing database architecture.
Developing procedures to ensure data integrity and quality.
Performing database maintenance, migration, and upgrading hardware and software.
Documenting processes and complying with best practices in database management.
Keeping up to date with developments and trends in database management.
Support in the design and development of a data portal platform:
Support the development of a platform for dissemination and easy access to partnership info and contribute to knowledge sharing including administration of permission.
Responsible for designing, coding and modifying websites from layout to function according to program needs.
Other activities as tasked by the Team
Contribute to promote data culture, ensuring data quality and sharing among UN agencies.
Contribute to capitalize technical knowledge.
Assist in project management support to the overall implementation through technical expertise.
Performs other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

A work plan will be developed based on HDPP project cycle and serve as the overarching document to monitor progress and record performance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
Education

Bachelor’s degree preferably in management information systems (MIS), computer science, information systems, or information technology.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the areas above mentioned is desirable

Work Experience
Required Experience

Minimum four (4) years of experience in information management with a strong knowledge in Structured Query Language (SQL), PHP and basic knowledge of R is required.

Desired Experience: The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply

Experience with KoboToolBox and visualization tools such (Tableau or PowerBI) is strongly desired.
Experience with the United Nations or other International Organizations is an asset.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.
Additional knowledge of French is desirable

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-9)
Contract duration: Open-ended (renewable subject to funds availability 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 Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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 4,000 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.