Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypePending
Family TypePending
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonFast Track > Fast Track
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-08-01
Job Posting End DateJune 18, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant IT Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Under the technical supervision of IT Officer, Administrative Officer, or a Bureau IT Lead, the Assistant IT Officer implements the IT operational plan in a well-defined geographical area. The incumbent provides technical supervision and guidance to locally recruited staff and ensures that IT equipment is always fully operational. S/he receives technical support and guidance from their supervisor.
Internally, the incumbent liaises directly with own IT Service Delivery Team daily as well as with end users to clarify, analyse and resolve reported issues. S/he may also liaise with external service providers, as required, to resolve escalated infrastructure issues.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional, and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Oversee daily Business-As-Usual operational IT matters, including incident, problem, change, service request, and asset management – following ITIL principles and DIST Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines.
- Participate in the assessment of operational and security infrastructure needs in each UNHCR office in the area of responsibility (AOR).
- Support the implementation of the IT operations plan and thereafter ensures that all equipment is always in good working conditions as to meet the IT needs of the office(s).
- Discuss infrastructure needs with the IT Officer and Head of office in the AOR and provide input for the budget submission.
- Monitor and coordinate the work of local IT staff as directed by the IT Officer or Head of Offices in accordance with the standards set by DIST/HQ.
- Maintain accurate inventory of all IT equipment for the AOR and ensure relevant Asset Management policies and guidelines are followed and the ITSM databases are up to date.
- Provide coaching and training to local IT staff and users. Draft procedures and instructions to promote a better understanding of the use of the IT equipment – using shared resources on the Intranet, when available.
- Participate in the assessment of security related projects in coordination with the Field Security Officer and assist in the formulation of recommendations on security communications.
- Promote relation with UNHCR implementing partners to enhance communication and avoid duplication of efforts.
- Provide accurate and timely information on operational status and reports to management,
- Liaise with Registration and Information Management colleagues to ensure their IT needs are met.
- Liaise with the National Regulatory Authority to ensure that licenses and permissions required to operate UNHCR telecommunications networks are granted.
- Actively participate in IT related meetings to ensure that all decisions taken meet UNHCR’s operational and security requirements.
- Liaise directly with end users to clarify, analyse, and resolve reported issues, delivering high standards of customer service.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Information Technology; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
*ITIL Certification
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Hands on experience working with current versions of IT products and services used in UNHCR offices – including a good understanding of network and telephony infrastructure; MS Office productivity software (Windows, Office 365); and Cloud collaboration services (MS Teams, SharePoint, etc.). Experience working with external managed service providers for IT infrastructure maintenance and support.
Desirable
For offices with satellite connectivity: experience in VSAT technologies. For offices with Security Comms (Radio room); experience in HF/VHF radio technologies. Practical experience working in the deep field.
Functional Skills
IT-IT Systems and Standards
IT-IT Network Monitoring & Alerting Tools
IT-IT Collaboration & Communications Tools
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
Competency Requirements
All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Innovation and Creativity
Technological Awareness
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The incumbent should have proven competencies and experience in (to be put in order of what is deemed essential and what is deemed to be an advantage):
- Experience in working with ICT business partners in Ethiopia and the dynamics of ICT services provision in Ethiopia, including in remote locations, will be an asset
- Good understanding of application and infrastructure technologies used in IT applications and solutions supported by IT staff.
- Experience of operating in humanitarian or United Nations organizations, with field experience.
- Fluency in Somali language and a working knowledge Amharic language will be an asset.Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
The Assistant IT Officer assists the Head of Field Office in enhancing ICT service delivery and enabling a smooth user experience to the team in Bokh. Being a new Field Office, there are limited computer and telecom equipment and undeveloped infrastructure. The incumbent with liaise with the ICT team in Jijiga and/or Addis Ababa to follow up on procurement, service contracts and servicing of available equipment, including VSATs and also link up with key service providers in the region (e.g., EthioTelecom)
The incumbent will perform oversight roles, ensuring IT service delivery at UNHCR Field Office Bokh and associated sites that will include the Guest House in Bokh, Registration Center in Mirqaan, partner sites and field locations. IT services will include internet connectivity, security communications and existence of power/electricity and general IT support (application and hardware).
The incumbent will work closely with the IT teams in Jijiga, Addis Ababa and Bokh, respective UNHCR budget owners (Operation and Administration), DIST (Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications) and will manage service providers to ensure minimal interruption of provided services, plan for ICT resources, services and actively participate in interagency related activities in Bokh with intention of improving existing services. He/she will ensure maintenance and functioning of established microwave point to point connectivity links and equipment setup by the UNHCR RETS (Refugees Emergency Telecommunications Sector) and Ericsson response under the Refugee Coordination Model in Bokh and in Mirqaan ensuring availability of internet connectivity at UNHCR premises and at the humanitarian hub for the humanitarian actors.
The incumbent will directly supervise the Senior ICT Assistant (G5) and two Telecom Operators (G4).
Living and Working Conditions:
Further to the conflict in and around the Laascanood area of Somaliland state of Somalia (Sool region) of early 2023, an estimated 100,000 refugees crossed into the Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. In order to respond effectively, UNHCR set up a base in Bokh, a small town located in Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia and headquarters of the Bokh woreda (district), with an estimated population of 50,000 people. Bokh is situated 170 kms from Wardher, the zonal capital of Doolo zone and some 80-100 kms from the Ethiopia-Somalia border. Bokh is also located at almost 700 Kms from Jijiga, the headquarters of the Somali Regional State Government where UNHCR Sub-Office is based.
Given the remoteness of the area and its proximity to the border with Somalia, the security situation in Bokh is considered to be fluid and requires a sense of vigilance and alertness. UNHCR’s Field security Advisor on ground in collaboration with UNDSS provides security advisories regularly to all staff in Bokh and the surrounding field locations to which adherence is expected. There are a few upcoming private real estate investments in Bokh and national staff will be expected to explore available options and secure rental accommodation in the town. Security briefing is mandatory upon arrival at the duty station. All travel itineraries should report to the radio room before departure and continue reporting their position every 60 minutes, until back to base. Official working hours are Monday through Thursday: 08:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 17:00 hours; while on Fridays 08:00 – 13:30 hours.
Bokh is served by a Government Health Centre and a Level-1 Hospital in Wardher, both of which offering basic medical services. It should be emphasized that the medical facilities in the area are insufficient to treat complicated medical cases. The UN Team in Bokh is working on a plan to establish a UN Clinic with a full-time doctor and nurses to provide onsite medical assistance to staff and also process referrals as may be needed. A medevac plan is also under discussion in collaboration with the Medical Services Team at the Regional Bureau in Nairobi and the UN Health Care Centre in Addis Ababa; the latter provides 24/7 health care services for eligible UN staff and their dependents in different specialized Medical Units. Bokh also has small markets, restaurants and shops from where food and other household items can be purchased. Banking services are very limited in Bokh and it always advisable to carry cash. The only Ethiopian Commercial Bank branch is located 170 kms away in Wardher where financial services, including ATM machines, can easily be accessed. However, a microfinance agent exists in Bokh and facilitates some small financial transactions in the local currency.Transportation in and out of Bokh is by road. However, the UN Team is mobilizing donors to facilitate the establishment of an airstrip in Bokh so that UNHAS can operate regular flights to Addis Ababa. Land for the airstrip has already been provided by the authorities and technical surveys undertaken by UNHAS. In the meantime, travel is either through Jijiga (served by Ethiopian Airlines daily) or through Kebridehar where Ethiopian Airlines flies from Addis Ababa twice a week, and then onward on a road journey of some 7 hours on a dusty road.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-IT Collaboration & Communications Tools, IT-IT Network Monitoring & Alerting Tools, IT-IT Systems and Standards, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Information Technology
CertificationsITIL V3 Foundation Level - AXELOS Ltd
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
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Compendium
Additional InformationThis vacancy notice is only for Ethiopian Nationals
A written test for shortlisted candidates may be conducted.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance