Job: Data Conversion and Cleansing Specialist - Umoja,

Location:  New YorkEmployer: UNDeadline: Sunday, 14 July 2013

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Development Group Cluster

Development Group Cluster

The UNOPS Development Group Cluster is based in the North America Office and supports a diverse and complex portfolio including partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (the Bureau for Development Policy, the Human Development Report Office, and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation), the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations Secretariat and a broadening community of primarily New York-based UN partners in the delivery of project management, implementation and administration services.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Department of Field Support, Information and Communications Technology Division (UN DFS-ICTD) is responsible for the delivery of applications that satisfy the requirements of the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support (DPKO/DFS) missions as well as Special Political Missions (SPMs). DFS has implemented a range of systems to address the principal requirements of peacekeeping operations and to support and enhance the processes DFS undertakes. UNOPS has been requested to assist in the implementation of this activity.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Manager in New York, the Data Conversion and Cleansing Specialist will perform the following:

• Work with business users to clarify data requirements and analyze and document scope of work for data conversion and cleansing projects;
• Interface with Umoja, Missions, OAH's and HQ in order to facilitate data gathering and cleansing of data from legacy systems (IMIS, SUN, Progen etc);
• Interface and provide guidance to missions and OAHs regarding data conversion ;
• Work with Umoja technical teams in the resolution of data conversion and cleansing issues, and the communication of FAQs and decisions to all parties;
• Convert data from multiple data sources including text files, MS Excel, MS SQL, MS Access, Lotus Notes and others as and when required
• Develop and run validation processes to ensure conversion accuracy and quality;
• Analyze data coming from different sources for data conflicts resolution in order to maintain and enhance records within master data;
• Interact with stakeholders in order to address issues and processes that will improve master data integrity;
• Create and maintain data integration and migration processes as required by Umoja technical teams;
• Run period reports for business stakeholders and Umoja management to show progress of efforts;
• Interface with Subject Matter Experts in pertinent business users and Umoja to review data conversion and cleansing requirements;.
• Provide requirements and process documentations.
• Perform other duties as and when required.

Impact of Results This position will work with the Umoja data conversion team to analyse the gap between source and target systems and data elements and provide technical solutions to convert and cleanse that data.

Competencies

Professionalism: Strong theoretical background and knowledge of information technology/information management best practice implementation in the field of data conversion, migration and cleansing. Excellent experience in standard relational data bases (SQL Server / Oracle), ETL and ETI tools and data cleansing tools and techniques. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including familiarity with software development lifecycle and the implementation and support of complex information ICT systems and projects.

Client Orientation: Ability to identify and analyze clients needs and develop appropriate technological solutions to the business needs. Experience in working with contracted service providers in a globally dispersed environment.

Planning and Organizing: Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.

Communications: Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Ability to effectively prepare specifications and other written reports/documentation in a clear and concise style. Ability to communicate with various levels of technical experience (developers/ operations/ end users/ management / support staff). Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with a level of professionalism and integrity.

Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience related to Data Conversion, Integration or Cleansing areas is required; This experience must include the following three provisions.
• 3+ years with data mapping and data discovery areas;
• 5+ years of experience with Oracle, SQL Server or other relational databases;
• 2+ years of experience in standard ETL or ETI tools and 2+ years of experience with BI tools.
• Strong SQL knowledge and familiarity with various types of databases and experience with select statements with inner and outer joins;
• Strong analytical skills solving problems outside the norm challenges
• Ability to quickly gain working knowledge of product to review converted data with Umoja team and answer questions.
• Excellent written and verbal communications, ability to communicate with various levels of business and technical stakeholders
• Exposure to data conversion and familiar with the values of the UN (specialized most in HR or finance, or procurement) is highly desirable

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second official UN language is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA-SP 2 Contract duration: 6 Months For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.