Senior IT Strategy & Portfolio Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Senior IT Strategy & Portfolio Officer reports Director of Digital Impact, Technology & Innovation Department and Chief Information Officer. The incumbent provides direct and indirect supervision and technical guidance to international and Area professional posts at UNRWA HQ. The supervised staff primarily include software architects, engineers, analysts/programmers, and quality assurance officers. ResponsibilitiesBusiness Relationship Management and Communications: Leads and coordinates the establishment and strengthening of business relationship management practices to ensure Agency-wide client needs and expectations are effectively captured, prioritized and addressed in alignment with strategic objectives. Oversees the establishment of an Enterprise Service Desk and the full automation of BRM and communication processes through the CRM system, ensuring standardized, responsive, and transparent client engagement. Develops and tracks Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure service performance and operational efficiency. Digital Transformation Strategy Implementation: Supports the Director in steering the implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy, ensuring coherence, prioritization, and alignment with Agency-wide objectives. Oversees the functioning of the Digital Transformation Strategy Steering Committee, ensuring effective governance through structured agendas, informed decision-making, and systematic follow-up on strategic actions. Program of Work and Workplans: Leads the development and coordination of the annual Program of Work for the Digital Impact, Technology & Innovation Department (DITID), ensuring alignment with Agency strategic objectives, performance frameworks, and budgetary planning. Oversees the development, budgeting, and monitoring of detailed workplans for DITID initiatives and services, ensuring effective resource allocation, timely execution, financial accountability, and performance reporting. Project Management Office (PMO) Governance and Continuous Improvement: Monitors & supports the governance and oversight of the PMO, ensuring projects are managed according to defined standards, frameworks, and methodologies. Promotes continuous improvement by proactively identifying opportunities to enhance project delivery, compliance practices, and overall PMO effectiveness. Audit Coordination: Leads DITID’s engagement in internal and external audits by serving as the primary focal point, coordinating the preparation of audit responses, monitoring timely implementation of audit recommendations, and maintaining effective liaison with auditors and oversight bodies. Enterprise Architecture Governance: Ensures the discipline of Enterprise Architecture governance is upheld and aligned with organizational strategy. Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Develops and maintains tools for tracking the progress of initiatives across the CIO portfolio, preparing regular performance and status reports for management review. Compliance Oversight: Oversees compliance of IT services and applications with UNRWA DITID policies, internal controls, and data protection standards by establishing monitoring mechanisms, coordinating with relevant stakeholders, and ensuring corrective measures are implemented where necessary. Monitors adherence to IT governance framework and coordinates with relevant stakeholders to address and resolve compliance issues in a timely and effective manner. CompetenciesFunctional: ​​i. Applying Technical Expertise​ ​​ii. Creating and Innovating​ iii. ​​Formulating Strategies and Concepts​ iv. ​​Leading and Supervising​ ​​v. Analyzing​ Leadership: i. ​​Delivering Results​ ii. ​​Innovating and Taking Risks​ Other Competencies not listed under Functional and Leadership: i. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and lead cross-functional teams. ii. Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools. iii. Excellent organizational and planning skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. iv. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of stakeholders. v. Ability to draft clear and concise reports, briefings, and other documentation. vi. Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative. vii. High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism. EducationAn advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required. Job - Specific QualificationCertification in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or Enterprise Architecture (e.g., TOGAF). ITIL Service Manager is required Work ExperienceA minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in information management, technology governance, program/project management, or related areas is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Experience in working with business relationship management practices and frameworks is required. Experience in coordinating governance activities, such as steering committees, audit follow-ups, and architecture review boards is required. Experience in managing service catalogues, service support modules (e.g., ITSM tools like ServiceNow), and tracking IT performance metrics and KPIs is an advantage is required. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, political organizations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN/ UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. Experience working in an international organization or large, complex institutional environment is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).