Director, Information Systems and Technology

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT). The incumbent is the Director of the Operations Support Division and it reports to the Assistant Secretary General (ASG), Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO). The Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) is leading the digital transformation of the Organization to enable a better, safer, more sustainable future through secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions. OICT is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. OICT supports the principles of work-life balance and flexible work arrangements. ResponsibilitiesUnder the direct supervision of the Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO), within delegated authority, the Director, Operations Support Division will be responsible for the following: • Directs and manages the Division in a manner that ensures the most adequate sourcing, delivery and support of fault-tolerant enterprise infrastructure platforms and systems, geospatial technologies and systems, public information content production and broadcasting technologies, information technology data-centre and network services, enterprise infrastructure /network systems including telecommunications systems, video conferencing systems, information security operations, disaster recovery operations, network monitoring, integrated operational control centres that together enable a common operating picture of in-theatre ICT operations; • Leads efforts to build, implement, operate and maintain enterprise-wide technology infrastructure and platforms plan to ensure all technologies infrastructure are robust, available, monitored, reliable, flexibly, well-performing, industry-standard, and stays ahead of the demands of user community; • Leads and implements the overall OICT operational support plans including research and development, technology infrastructure and platforms forecasting, coordination of global deployment and migration plans, priorities or requirements and resolution of urgent ICT operational needs; • Coordinates with global and local ICT operational support capacities in the UN Secretariat for efficient implementation of operational strategies and plans, and collaborates across the UN system for maximum technology performance and benefits. • Provides guidance on the activities and oversees the performance management framework of the cloud and on-premise technology infrastructure in order to monitor and continuously improve the effectiveness, efficiency and harmonization of ICT operations, and thus reduce duplication with optimization and interoperability of ICT services and enterprise technology infrastructure platforms. • Collaborate across the UN system level in the adoption and efficient use of technology infrastructure and platforms, including shared services and interoperability frameworks. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data; and that they comply with the relevant organizational mandates; • Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Operations Support Division, including preparation of the division’s budget; assignment and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators; reporting on the Division’s programme performance; and preparation of inputs for the Division’s results-based budgeting; • Evaluates staff, contractors’ and consultants’ performance; interviews and evaluates candidates for job openings; • Oversees the recruitment of staff and contractors for the Division, taking into account geographical, gender balance, and other organizational values; • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the office/Division and across organizational boundaries. • Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of operational information and communications technology support in a complex, global services organization. Proven ability to plan and organize the work of a Division requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and the ability to integrate its work into the Office's work programme. Ability to analyse complex technology management policies and programmatic issues; demonstrated ability to manage large numbers of personnel and create an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff. Ability to manage large-scale technologically based service provision in geographically dispersed locations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAn Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, network engineering, telecommunications, or a combination of an Information Technology related degree and degree in the social sciences, data sciences, public administration or management is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification• Certification on Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is required • Certification in Prince2 or Project Management Professional (PMP) methodologies is required. Work Experience• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience managing the design and development of global ICT enterprise platforms/systems, enterprise planning systems, or other related technologies, in complex and multidimensional operational environments is required. • Eight (8) years of experience in large-scale work planning, monitoring and reporting is required. • Experience managing staff, budget, property, and equipment at the international level is required. • Experience in the successful use of standard project and programme implementation methodologies/frameworks to deliver enterprise-level digital technology projects is required. • Experience in using business process reengineering techniques to measurably improve ICT-related processes to address organizational requirements is required. • Experience in successfully applying strategic management concepts to operational work plans, implementing change management initiatives, or implementing business transformation projects is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second official UN language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position will be available for 1 year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. • Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.