Job: ICT Advisor

Location: Baghdad, Iraq 
Deadline: Monday, 07 October 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 -AEMO

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Asia, Europe and Middle East Office (AEMO) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources. AEMO helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Background Information - Iraq

Iraq

The UNOPS Iraq office is based in Amman, Jordan and has sub-offices in Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq. The office also manages projects in Jordan, Syria and Yemen. UNOPS provides a range of project development, technical management and infrastructure-related services in Iraq, supporting economic recovery and development, reconciliation and civil society, elections, human rights and rule of law, and health, water and sanitation.

Background Information - Job-specific

The incumbent will serve as ICT Advisor to the Independent HighElectoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq. The incumbent will report to the UNOPSProgramme Manager on managerial andadministrative matters and to the UNAMI Chief Electoral Advisor (CEA) onsubstantive and programmatic matters. The incumbent will work within the UNIntegrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT).

Under the technical supervision of the UNAMI CEA as a team member of theUN IEAT, the ICT Advisor will develop and advise IHEC on various communicationsand information technology elements of corporate governance by liaising withinternal and external members of the team so as to assist in providing timelyinformation and clarity where needed. The ICT Advisor will provide advice tothe IHEC on their technological capacity and development of their ICTinfrastructure.

The ICT Advisor will support the UNOPS Programme Manager in thefulfilment of his/her duties and will provide the necessary back-stoppingmeasures as required throughout the planning, revision and implementation ofthe project.

The incumbent is responsible to abide bysecurity policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UNSecurity Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPSis committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

• Develop, in consultation with senior management of IHEC and IEAT, an ICT strategy to support IHEC business objectives and the corporate strategy;
• Develop and assist IHEC in implementing the overall technology roadmap, including the preparatory and operational needs of the project:
• Supervise and develop the team of UNOPS National ICT Specialists who support IHEC on a daily basis and act as a second level expert on various technologies in use at IHEC;
• Carry out regular ICT assessments of the IHEC ICT landscape and follow-up on its implementation;
• Implement Service Management in line with ITIL and other international standards and guidelines.
• Advise and develop together with IHEC ICT security policy, framework, standards and guidelines to ensure compliance of IHEC users and processes to the corporate policies and procedures.
• Support IHEC with the development of a Service Delivery model for the delivery of ICT services internally and information through the Election Call Centre using industry-standards such as ITIL, COBIT etc.
• Advise IHEC in achieving ISO27001 compliance for the Data Entry Centre;
• In collaboration with the IHEC and IEAT, establish a compliance framework for quality control, information security, access control.
• Participate in conceptualizing and developing ICT technological direction, and tactical work plans in the area of infrastructure and ICT enterprise services.
• Keep abreast of changing technology; research and analyse technological alternatives and advocate appropriate use of technology to solve various ICT enterprise connectivity issues, service delivery problems. Analyse needs and make recommendations for service improvements.
• Advice IHEC on compliance with International standards on corporate information management and architecture, technology standards, guidelines and procedures.
• Advise IHEC on a proactive and sustainable approach to maintaining IT services in the future adopting a suitable and appropriate cost recovery mechanism.
• Lead the development of a disaster recovery plan for the IHEC and contribute in identifying and applying appropriate framework towards the development Business Continuity Plans.
• Advise IEAT on re-engineering IHEC ICT systems;
• Based on identified needs in the capacity building plan (content, participants, time-frame), support the IEAT advisors in developing TORs for training providers or other services in the various priority areas (ICT Hardware, Software, etc);
• Under the overall supervision of UNAMI CEA provide support to the development of appropriate infrastructure for electoral processes;
• Advise on the IHEC call centre network infrastructure and collaborate with IHEC to ensure that the service management processes are in line with ITIL standards;
• Provide substantive assistance to the UNOPS Programme Manager in the day-to-day implementation and administration of IHEC support activities and write weekly input to UN IEAT election weekly update;
• Together with the IQOC Procurement Unit, identify suitable regional training institutions/companies and experts to conduct training courses (including preparation of RPAs, RFQs , ITBs and SOWs);
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of the services rendered by engaged service providers incl. attending and supervising training activities;
• Actively part take in the preparation of documents, budgets, revisions and work plans in consultation with the appropriate parties;
• Draft input to quarterly ‘Project Fiche' progress reports and yearly reports on UNOPS implemented electoral support projects
• Attend coordination meetings (internal and external) relevant to electoral support and liaise with parties involved, at the request of the Programme Manager;
• Carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the UNAMI CEA and/or UNOPS Programme Manager.

Competencies

• Professionalism: proven sensitivity to political and social environment and ability to adjust accordingly
• Technological skills: advanced knowledge of software and hardware related to office products;
• Planning and Organizational skills: ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, work with competing demands and under pressure of tight deadlines.
• Teamwork: Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader with people of diverse national and cultural backgrounds .
• Communication: Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of UN rules & procedures.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Advanced University Degree in telecommunications, computer science, electronic engineering or other relevant background. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 7 years of work experience do you have in the area of information and communication technology and systems in an international fast tracked environment required.
• Advanced level knowledge and experience in commonly used platforms and applications such as Microsoft Server, Client operating systems and applications, Cisco and other leading products;
• Advanced knowledge of ICT Infrastructure, Data and Voice Communication would be a strong preference;
• Knowledge and experience with ICT service delivery framework such as ITIL and Information Security Framework/methodologies such as COBIT, ISO27001 preferred;
• Experience with providing advisory and capacity building for public institution in post conflict environment would be a strong asset;
• Proven experience in the formulation of advanced technical advice to non-technical stakeholders;
• Experience in electoral support activities would be an asset;

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract level: P4

Contract duration: 12 months

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/contract-types/Pages/United-Nations-staff-contracts.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.

More Info and Application