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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.ย
The Corporate Services Department (CSD), led by the Associate Vice-President, CSD, provides IFAD with the human resources, administrative services, safety and security, information technology resources and medical support services required to allow IFAD to meet its objectives of enabling rural people to overcome poverty. The work of the CSD is undertaken by three divisions (i) Human Resources Division (HRD) (ii) Administrative Services Division (ADM) and (iii) Information and Communication Technology Division (ICT) and three units: (a) Front Office CSD (b) Field Support Unit and (c) Medical Services Unit.ย
The Information & Communications Technology Division (ICT) delivers secure, reliable, and integrated technology solutions which enable delivery of business value and provide IFAD with a strategic advantage through technical innovation and agile ICT services, and by streamlining corporate processes using effective ICT solutions. It facilitates access to information, ensures reliable and secure availability of information and communication means, provides a sustainable and secure digital environment and offers standard ICT services.ย
ICT Specialists work under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the ICT Director and the direct supervision of an ICT Manager/Senior ICT Specialist.
Job Role ย
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Specialists at this level are seasoned professionals reflecting an in-depth, complete understanding of ICT systems and applications development. The applications development work is original or involves major modifications requiring the development of specifications in consultation with diverse users who have diverse needs.ย
When tasked with supervision, they are typically supervisors of general service (GS) staff. Frequently ICT Specialists will coordinate the work of and provide technical guidance to external consultants and/or other temporary staff.
Position specific:
The ICT Specialist provides DevOps technical and subject matter expertise in respect to IFADโs system landscape, architecture and interoperability. The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day monitoring and availability of IFAD applications, co-ordinating with Business Process Owners (BPOs), software vendors and hosting partners and the internal ICT team to resolve any issues. The incumbent is responsible for identifying new tools and processes to improve the data centre and cloud platform efficiency automating processes in line with corporate priorities.
Key Functions and Results ย
- ICT BUSINESS PARTNER: ICT Specialists are credible trusted partners to the client offices served and the Division where assigned, serving as a responsive and constructive service provider with a focus on results. They participate in the development, implementation and achievement of established ICT Service Level Objectives (SLOs). The incumbents support the Fundโs ICT strategy and plans as well as model a commitment to systems integrity. ICT Specialists provide seasoned verbal and written advice and guidance to supervisors and staff on the functionality of information and communication technology systems and applications as well as in the requirement for modifications or enhancements/extensions.ย
ย - ICT MANAGEMENT: ICT Specialists are seasoned professionals accountable for development, design, implementation and management of complex, interrelated applications and/or components of major ICT systems. Representative accountabilities/key results include (a) undertaking feasibility studies, systems analysis and design for specific systems, applications and/or for components of the more complex systems of the Fundโs ICT System; (b) translating user requirements into functional and technical specifications for new applications, developing integrating existing modules, developing local enhancements, etc.; (c) configuring systems/application environments and leading the installation, maintenance, problem resolution/trouble shooting, optimization and system/applications upgrades; (d) monitoring transactions to measure the performance and continuing effectiveness of assigned systems and working with systems software personnel to resolve operational problems; (e) writing scripts to extract and transfer data from databases, ensuring security measures to protect confidentiality; (f) developing strategy for specific applications and participating in developing overall strategy for major systems including addressing interfacing and/or integration requirements; (g) developing training materials, technical and user documentation, and publicity information and training staff in information/data systems; and ensuring that all the necessary technical knowledge and procedures for area of assignment are documented, up-to-date and shared across ICT teams.
ย - AGENT OF CHANGE: ICT Specialists understand and apply the principles of change management and proactively serve as a role model for transformation and capacity for acceptance of change. They use a seasoned knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other information technology to develop, analyze and promote acceptance of new methods of work and automated workflows. At this level ICT Specialists manage change through consultations with ICT colleagues and outreach to client offices to build understanding of and to ensure open and regular communications pertaining to current and planned changes in the Fundโs information and communication technology strategy, standards, regulations and rules.ย
ย - MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: Accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the personal use of assigned IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, as applicable, supervised staff.
Position specific:
- Ensures smooth initiation, provisioning and planning of all IFAD ICT services in both monolithic applications, networking and in the transition and running towards Cloud services, including the seamless operations of all related applications and services.
- Provides full stack development experience bridging between front and back-end development with in-depth knowledge covering the processes and technologies required for each.
- Ensures integration and interoperability between IFAD corporate systems, in particular ensuring the availability and timely flow of documents and data between applications, leveraging and developing analytics and APIs to facilitate the process. Acts as a key point in related analytics as well as API monitoring and management.ย
- Provides technical expertise on the deployment of data/software fixes, upgrades, security patching.
Develops, together with the relevant teams, required capabilities and capacities with regard to DevOps, cloud and emerging technologies infrastructure management towards a roster of well qualified professionals in this domain over time.
Key Performance Indicators ย
The work of ICT Specialists is made up of different areas and includes resolving problems in integration and interface. Thus the work at this level directly impacts the processing work of systems and applications, users, and the overall services provided by the ICT Division; their technical decisions affect the internal structures of the applications assigned and indirectly impact the accomplishment of the Fundโs overall objectives, goals and functions.ย
The key performance indicators for ICT Specialists at this level include effective design and accurate performance of assigned application development and relevance to client requirements.Working Relationships ย
Internally, ICT Specialists at this level are required to explain, clarify and train users in new information and communications technology functionality and operations as well as to develop and clarify user requirements, and also take the lead as subject matter experts to ensure the appropriate level of building and running related technical services in their area of expertise. They advocate directly and indirectly both technical and non-technical users to accept limitations or modifications of applications and provide advice regarding requirements or capabilities requirements. Within the ICT Division, they are collaborating with other technical leads for the purpose of solving complex problems and persuading others to accept modifications of specifications. External contacts involve a professional exchange of information with colleagues in the information and communication technology community to collect/exchange information on emerging technology and ensure IFAD is leveraging the latest best practice in ICT. They may also negotiate with external service providers and/or vendors regarding services and new hardware/software and in the technical evaluation and selection of the same. ICT Specialists at this level are delegated authority to make commitments on routine aspects of the assignment.
Job Profile Requirements ย
Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:
- Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
- Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
- Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
- Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
- Managing performance and developing staff
- Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
- Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
- Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
- Team working - Contributes effectively to the team
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Education:
โขย ย ย ย ย ย Level โ Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area.ย In lieu of an advanced university degree, a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) plus at least four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience over and above the minimum number of years of experience requirement may be considered;
โขย ย ย ย ย ย Areas - Computer science, information technology, mathematics or other job-related field
โขย ย ย ย ย ย Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php
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Certifications