Chief, Infrastructure Management Section at United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

Responsibilities

• 1Manage the operation and maintenance of large-scale and complex ICT Infrastructure to achieve high reliability and continuous availability services for clients accessing cloud-based services, and local systems in a secured environment, including infrastructure hosting services for UN collocated Agencies Funds and Programmes.
• Plan and direct major projects related to ICT infrastructure including the consolidation of dispersed data centres into a Primary Technology Centre (PTC) and a Secondary Technology Centre (STC), ensure the successful operation of voice and video communications infrastructure, Wi-Fi, 5G mobile technology and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.
• Provide expert advice on complex networks analysis and design; identify the need for new solutions (or modifications to existing solutions) and respond to requests from users for new or enhanced services, including virtualization; develop plans for technological feasibility. Innovate towards Green ICT initiatives & disability inclusion solutions.
• Formulate Request for Proposals (RFPs) for central infrastructure equipment (network, telecommunications, servers, and data storage), systems and services; provide technical specifications and standards for the procurement of equipment and services; evaluate proposals from vendors; perform tests and recommend selection of equipment and services in the most expedient manner.
• Develop costing proposals for outgoing services and cost estimates for incoming services; oversee the technical evaluation of incoming proposals and technically manage contractual service.
• Develop infrastructure solutions for clients of the Kenya Common Back Office (CBO).
• Track and monitor project progress against plans, implement quality assurance measures, and standard processes; liaise with users on all aspects of project services during all phases of planning and implementation.
• Remain actively involved in service reviews and monitoring, to improve infrastructure security; undertake regular programmes of self-audit and baselining by utilizing appropriate tools and support formal audits conducted by both Internal and External Auditors.
• Act as a Change Manager for all request for change related to ICT services, and coordinate the implementation of changes.
• Ensure that the team maintains a Configuration Management Database for all component items related to UNON Infrastructure, and the Network Operating Centre is fully functional to monitor key infrastructure components and make sure that critical alerts are addressed immediately.
• Develop, implement and monitor ICT infrastructure standards and guidelines, and ensure that any changes take place in a controlled and auditable manner; contribute to defining ICT policy and follow up with its implementation.
• Lead ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UN ICT infrastructure supporting ICT hosting and data centers, including by examining the current hosting landscape, assessing business continuity and disaster recovery requirements, available capacities and technologies, and by formulating an optimized adaptive hosting strategy aligned with emerging AI capabilities.
• Provide professional leadership and direction to the Unit; mentor and supervise the work of the staff and other personnel; participate in planning and preparation of the budget, work programme and spending plan.
• Prepare and make presentations on communications topics, networks, and equipment to staff; ensure effective coordination with other UN agencies in order to maximize possibilities of inter-agency collaboration.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of communication equipment with adequate skills for their installation and maintenance; knowledge of operations of commercial telecommunications services, voice and data communications techniques, satellite communication systems; ability to analyse telecommunication data and conduct reviews; good problem-solving skills; 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.

• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND 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.
• 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, telecommunication, or other related fields 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. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

• The Cisco Certified Network Professional qualification is required. Certification in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), and Certification in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud practitioner is desirable. The 5G Networking Professional Certificate is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of large-scale network and data centers technologies are required. Experience in implementing and managing enterprise ICT networks with multi-tenancy is required. Experience in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Virtual Machine Ware (VMWare) is required. Experience in implementing of Unified Communications solutions, business continuity management, Office 365, and project management is desirable. Experience in the operations of large-medium video conferencing, voice, and data communications technology aligned with emerging AI capabilities is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable