Unit Head, Digital Transformation

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Digital and Technology Support Section of the Statistics, Data and Digital Service at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and reports to the Chief of the Digital and Technology Support Section. ResponsibilitiesThe Information Systems Officer fulfills the function of Unit Head, Digital Transformation, and is responsible for the following duties: • Supports the Chief in defining, implementing and monitoring the organization’s digital strategy, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of UNCTAD programs to deliver digital assets in international trade and development. • Plans and directs major systems projects of significant importance to the institution, or major components of these complex systems which typically impact critical operations and large or multiple user groups. • Provides expert advice on complex business and systems analysis activities; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures. • Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals receives and manages the contract service. • Tracks and monitors project progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases of development and implementation. • Provides professional leadership and work direction to the assigned project team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc. • Is actively involved in the execution of the most complex aspects of the project (focusing on business analysis, quality assurance, change management and measuring digital transformation); ensures that all design aspects are addressed and control and security mechanisms are established. • Develops, implements and monitors information standards and guidelines, including testing paradigms. • Prepares technical and user documentation for entire systems and interdependent applications; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations. • Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies; • Facilitates communications between the Section and its major clients for good client relations. Serves as coordinator in the development of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the client and the Section, for either specific IT services or general technology support, including any charge back mechanisms. • Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Leads the Service Support Team within the Section, focusing on advancing digital transformation through service management. • Coordinates the implementation and monitoring of digital governance at UNCTAD, in full alignment with UN Secretariat governance bodies. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of business and systems analysis, digital governance, quality assurance and change management in a trade and development context. Knowledge of service management concepts. Knowledge of digital transformation architecture, business alignment and governance concepts. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters. Knowledge of a range of computer languages and development paradigms, knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s). 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field 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 QualificationTOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) Practitioner or COBIT (Control Objectives for Information Technologies) Implementation certifications are desirable. At least 3 ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) certifications at the intermediate level are desirable. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area are desirable. Four years of experience in business analysis, change management and quality assurance are desirable. Four years of experience leading an ICT service support team are desirable. Two years of experience managing projects using SCRUM best practices are desirable. Experience in business analysis for economic data management or trade digitalization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Arabic or Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) or Russian is desirable. 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).