Information Systems Officer, P4 at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This position is located in UNEP's Corporate Services Division, Enterprise Solutions Section at the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will report to the Chief, Enterprise Solutions Section and will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Leads the development, maintenance and review of information technology systems.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Provides professional leadership and work direction to assigned project team, and/or mentor and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff.
5. Is actively involved in the execution of the most complex aspects of the project (e.g. systems analysis, development, programming); oversees development of document and database structures, ensuring that all design aspects are addressed, and control and security mechanisms are established.
6. Prepares technical and user documentation for entire systems and interdependent applications; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations.
7. Provides expert advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or respond 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.
8. Coordinates the preparation and implementation of the work program and budget pertaining to IT projects.
9. Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan.
10. Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service, including the establishments of service level agreements (SLAs) with clear key performance indicators (KPIs).
11. Provides technical advice on Information technology projects and tasks.
12. Develops, implements and monitors information standards and guidelines, including testing paradigms.
13. Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies, including innovative and emerging information technologies; provides leadership on introducing technological changes; prepares various technical reports.

Competencies

1. PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of systems design, and development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex information systems. 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.
2. 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.
3. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goal; 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.
4. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, information management, mathematics, statistics or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

1. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required.
2. Experience knowledge in digital transformation, digital enterprise architecture and information security implementations is desirable.
3. Experience in handling the development of innovative information technology solutions in the environmental area is desirable.
4. A minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience in managing a team of software developers is required.

Languages

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

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.