Job: ICT Project Liaison Officer

Location: New York 
Deadline: Wednesday, 25 September 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.

Umoja is the project approved by the General Assembly resolution 63/262 that aims at the transformation of the United Nations Secretariat by enabling high-quality,cost-effective service delivery to support the execution of evolving mandates everywhere the Organization operates.

Umoja, which means 'unity' in Swahili, will unite the many support and administrative entities throughout the Secretariat, including in peace keeping and field missions, through re-designed and common processes for the management of all financial, human and physical resources; a single integrated information system; and training of staff.

UNOPS has been requested to assist in the implementation of this activity.

The results of work of the ICT Project Liaison Officer impact directly on delivery of services that satisfy the requirements of the Department as well as the performance of the services implemented in the DFS/DPKO field missions and headquarters. It will also ensure proper processes and methodologies are followed and implemented according to the latest of the industry standards. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring activities for all global locations are in line with the overall business targets and UN policies, rules and regulations.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UNOPS Project Support Officer, the ICT Project Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Oversee processes related to the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the successful delivery of these services, including coordination of staffing,recruitment, travel and training expenditures, financial and performance reporting, etc.
• Consolidate resource project plans, financial reporting, project schedules, change, risk and quality information into master documents to deliver projects in a timely manner related to Umoja;
• Disseminate project information related to Umoja to senior management;
• Act as liaison with UNOPS NAO;
• Monitor budget performance using the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) standard guidelines and coordinate financial reporting related to Umoja;
• Review and validate quarterly account reconciliations for the projects;
• Oversee and coordinate with the Umoja team the alignment between the Umoja project and Department reform initiatives;
• Liaise and collaborate with the Umoja team the development and implementation of business processes, change management and communication plans for field missions;
• Oversee and coordinate with the Umoja team that the project is aligned with IPSAS;
• Liaise,oversee and coordinate with the Umoja team the mapping of training programmes and requirements for field mission staff,
• Prepare and draft guidance and policy materials related to the implementation of Umoja in field missions in respect of user roles provisioning and user access mapping as it relates to the management of strategic resources and the necessary delegations of authority;
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Familiarity with ICT business operations and objectives. Strong theoretical background and knowledge of project and information management. Strong conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrated problem solving abilities required. Ability to engage in multiple projects and develop approaches to resolve a wide range of issues/problems. Individual should be detail-oriented, creative, inquisitive,committed, and self-motivated and able to maintain a very high level of confidentiality regarding the projects being conducted.

Client Orientation: Ability to identify and analyze client needs and extract, interpret and format information using technological solutions appropriate to the business needs.

Communications: Excellent communication (spoken and written)skills, including the ability to convey complex technical concepts both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise manner.

Planning & Organizing: Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, manage competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines. Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintaineffective partnerships and working relations with people in a multicultural,multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education/Experience/Language requirementsEducation: Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, information technology, or in field related to the post description. A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience in information and communications technology may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in an international environment,which includes supervisory experience and administrative responsibilities in projects with diverse personnel. Excellent understanding of MS Office and MS Visio. Extensive experience from working in the UN system in a similar capacity is a major asset. Language: English

Contract type, level and durationContract type: FTA Contract level: P3 Contract duration: New York, USA 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