Fixed Term Information Communication Technology Specialist at UNICEF | June 2024

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a champion 

The ICT function supports UNICEF’s mission and strategic plan by enabling programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency through innovation, partnerships and providing ICT solutions and services in a timely, secure and safe manner.

With regards to the performance of the incumbent, any failures not properly addressed or corrected will have high operational and damaging impact to UNICEF office as a whole. The absence or lack of a sound management of the ICT functions will affect UNICEF’s ability to support local counterparts and implementing partners and potentially affect UNICEF ICT globally and possibly have legal or financial repercussions affecting UNICEF’s brand and reputation.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this role is to manage, lead and support the ICT functional accountability and internally manage ICT function and externally enhance collaboration and capacity building; improve the delivery of results and knowledge management; build business relationships and foster innovation. The Information Communication Technology Specialist under the supervision of, the Deputy Representative Operations works closely with Programme staff and in close liaison with Regional Office ICT and the central ICT Division where applicable. The Information Communication Technology Specialist may supervise local staff members or oversee the work of consultants.

Key functions/accountabilities:

1. Manage the ICT function and provide technical and operational support:

• Manage ICT and supervise staff to enable the implementation of corporate ICT priorities, solutions and services.
• Prepare ICT related plans, budget, set priorities and performance indicators as well as year-end assessments, reviews and reporting.
• Safeguard the physical and logical security and safety of ICT environment and infrastructure.
• Provide quality assurance of projects and activities in accordance with ICT functional accountabilities.
• Monitor risks and threats to ICT environment or infrastructure and take appropriate action.
• Manage compliance and escalate exceptions (proactive) and deviations (reactive).
• Manage ICT-related communication materials internally, from NYHQ, GSSC or regional office.
• Support the office business continuity plans development and ensure the inclusion of ICT inputs and perspective.
• Act as UNICEF focal point for inter-agency activities.
• Liaise with regional office, GSSC and ITSS to keep abreast of new initiatives and opportunities to innovate and modernize office operations and to contribute to the collective ICT evolution.
• Validate the compliance with the host government regulatory requirements vis-à-vis the Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA), i.e., data collection of sensitive information or personally identifiable information (PII), telecommunications licenses, use of specialized equipment, such as HF/VHF radios, high-gain antennae, satellite phones, VSATs, VOIP, drones, etc…

2. Enhance governance, collaboration, build relationships and capacity:

• Participate in office management –CMT, operations and programme meetings to exercise the functional accountabilities of the ICT function.
• Represent UNICEF ICT in inter-agency functions.
• Support counterparts and implementing partners to build capacity and nurture independence.
• Engage with programme sections, counterparts and implementing partners to form :technical and business reference groups” to identify, analyze, research and promote innovative and viable solutions.
•  Assist in oversight, assessment and audit of vendors, counterparts and implementing partners.
• Assist in the promotion of creativity and innovative thinking to re-engineer work processes and make the best use of technology within and outside UNICEF.
• Support Supply and programme staff to establish local LTAs for ICT-related programme contracts for services and products.
•  Conduct oversight of providers and third-parties of ICT-related services and products to programme.
• Study and understand the business requirements, i.e., PPP, RBM, HACT, etc… to improve the delivery of results.
• Stay abreast of ICT trends, developments and best practices through professional development –journals, training, certification, etc….

3. Improve the delivery of results:

• Build and strengthen relationships with counterparts, i.e., government, sister United Nations agencies, international nonprofit organizations (INGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
• Promote the use of collaboration tools for knowledge management, capacity building and preserving institutional memory.
• Lead the implementation of eTools and facilitate training workshops or clinics.
• Work closely to facilitate HACT implementation with partnership managers, programme and operations staff.
• Collaborate with the Risk Focal Point the risks and opportunities inclusion in the risk register and support stakeholders to address them.
• Liaise with HQs, RO and other CO to share knowledge, experience; discuss opportunities and risks for the improved delivery of results.
• Represent UNICEF ICT in One UN, Delivering as One and other UN reform initiatives.
• Collaborate with C4D and use their advocacy, outreach and dissemination tools for better utilization of technology to advance the delivery of results.
• Facilitate project management methodologies trainings and support the application by staff, counterparts and implementing partners.
•  Participate in person or remotely in UNICEF global, regional or country offices events and discussions to contribute results-based management/programming.

4. Foster innovation:

• Promote creativity and innovative thinking to re-engineer work processes and make the best use of technology within and outside UNICEF.
• Evaluate innovation initiatives potential opportunities and possible risks to improve productivity, efficiency and effectiveness and share with senior management, regional office, ITSS and Innovation Division.
• Establish a local governance board for the formal review and assessment of local innovation initiatives.
• Ensure exist strategies are incorporated in all innovation initiatives prior to approval.
• Implement approved innovative projects such as eTools, RapidPro, Ureport, etc…
• Support counterparts and implementing partners to implement approved innovation initiatives.
• Facilitate TED-like events inviting local and international scholars, CEOs and technology gurus.
• Connect academia to innovation opportunities, i.e., vocational schools, colleges and universities.
• Work closely with Communication to promote to local philanthropists the benefits and rewards of innovation for their active participation, support and funding.
• Engage the private sector to maximize the use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) resources for no-cost innovation initiatives, e.g., bulk telecommunications services at low cost or free during periods of under-utilized resources.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree is required in computer science, software engineering, information technology management, business administration or another relevant technical field. A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with seven years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Work Experience: At least five years of professional experience in information technology management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation is required. Experience in a UN organization is an asset.
• Skills: Certification and/or proven experience in one of these several ICT technical competencies: ICT Project Management, Business Analytics, Information Security, ICT Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security and Software Engineering and Programming.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.