The Position:
The Platforms and Services Specialist will take the lead in overseeing and managing IT end user services, global networks and on-premise equipment. You will be a senior member of the team, working closely with internal team members and outsourced providers to ensure reliable, secure and cost effective operation of UNFPA’s global infrastructure, recognizing the importance of service oriented delivery to our global users.
You will report directly to the section chief.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
UNFPA operates an global IT infrastructure with users across the globe requiring coordinated, reliable and secure connectivity, end user devices and support. The Platforms and Services Specialist will be the lead in overseeing the efficient and secure operation of a diverse range of IT platforms and services that are critical to UNFPA's global operations. You will provide strategic direction, manage a team of technical professionals, and collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to ensure IT infrastructure and services support UNFPA's mission and strategic goals.
You would be responsible for:
The Platforms and Services Specialist is responsible for overseeing and managing IT end-user services, global networks, and on-premise data center(s). This will have a particular focus on ensuring smooth experience for users across collaboration tools, productivity tools and end points. You will be a senior member of the team, expected to ensure that solutions across technical areas are aligned. You will be working closely with IT team members as well as vendors, partners and decentralized IT focal points in our regional, country and liaison offices.
A. End User Services:
- Oversee the design and operation of HQ and global end user support, including desk-side support, remote support and conferencing support as needed
- Oversee the design and operation of global standards, procedures and technologies for personal computing devices (laptops, phones, tablets etc), software installation and patch management;
- Oversee the design and operation of global communication and collaboration platforms for information workers. This encompasses global conferencing and online meeting services, productivity suite tools as well as global communication communications including mail; Instant messaging; Social communities; Audio conferencing; Video conferencing; Standard telephone;
- Oversee the design and operation of secure and reliable network access services for end users both on premise and for remote access;
- Oversee and ensure the provision of outstanding IT customer service to internal end users
B. Global Networks and on-premise Data Center:
- Oversee the design and operation of the HQ and global network to provide a reliable and secure network infrastructure used to deliver telecommunications services including voice, video and high speed data;
- Oversee the data network, including domain services, internet connectivity, edge solutions / load balancing, virtual private networks, and voice network infrastructure.
- Proactively identify and address potential security threats and vulnerabilities.
- Research emerging technologies and make appropriate recommendations to improve network performance, security and reliability.
- Manage and maintain the limited on premise data center ensuring high availability and performance for services that still need to be on-premise.
- Set standards for equipment in the limited on premise server rooms in field offices.
C. T4D advisory services related to Census:
- Contribute to UNFPA programmes supporting Census activities including advisory services related to design and implementation of networks and end user devices for Census projects.
D. Leadership & Management:
- Lead and inspire a team of IT professionals, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the organization, including program teams, senior management, and external partners.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for IT platforms and services.
- Manage and oversee IT projects including new system implementations and system upgrades;
- Develop and implement ICT policies and standards including architecture, disaster recovery, procurement and service provision;
- Manage procurement strategy of computers and hardware, and maintenance of license and asset management process and systems;
- Negotiate and set Service Level Objectives and Agreements (SLOs and SLAs) with partners, vendors and business units, as appropriate;
- Select and manage external vendors and contractors; negotiate and maintain ongoing contracts;
- Contribute technical inputs to the development of corporate ICT strategy and annual work plans to meet the organization's business goals and information technology requirements;
- Coordinate with UNFPA country offices to guide and ensure the implementation of ICT standards, quality control and change management globally. Ensure regular network and knowledge sharing meetings.
E. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Information Technology, Business Administration or related discipline.
- A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience:
- 7 years of specialized relevant experience is required related to delivering global IT services in a highly decentralized environment;
- IT infrastructure and operations management.
- Proven experience managing a team of IT professionals.
- Strong understanding of IT best practices and security standards.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Experience working in a multicultural environment.
- Experience with UN entities in ICT projects is desirable.
Languages:
Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity,
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
- Embracing cultural diversity,
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results,
- Being accountable,
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
- Thinking analytically and strategically,
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
- Communicating for impact
Functional Competencies:
- Developing ICT standards and applications
- Manage information and workflows
- Planning, organizing and multitasking
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
