Tech-for-Development (T4D) Specialist, Information Technology Solutions Office (ITSO), New York, P-4

  • Level: P-4
  • Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
  • Closing date: 09 Apr 2024 11:59 PM (America/New_York)
  • Duty station: New York

The Position:

Within the core IT team, the T4D Specialist assumes a pivotal role by extending expert technical guidance to development initiatives. These initiatives directly align with UNFPA's mandate, as the specialist skillfully leverages technology to drive their success.

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's IT Strategy prioritizes digital transformation for implementation of programmes, and the T4D Specialist will be a driving force in making this vision a reality. As the lead for technology-driven professional services, the T4D Specialist will play a crucial role in empowering programmes to leverage cutting-edge solutions and achieve impactful results.

You would be responsible for:

As a T4D Specialist, you'll play a pivotal role in our mission, providing expert technical guidance to programs leveraging technology for development (T4D). You'll be a highly collaborative individual, building strong partnerships - both within our team and across external organizations. Additionally, you'll manage T4D projects, ensuring efficient delivery and high-quality outcomes for our programmes.

A. Programme solutions technical and programmatic guidance and support

  • Assess the current use of technology across agency programmes and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Analyze existing T4D technological infrastructure, resources, and capabilities.
  • Contribute to a roadmap for integrating technology into programme delivery, aligned with the agency's overall goals and objectives.
  • Define key priorities and areas of focus for technology adoption in programme delivery.
  • Develop implementation plans with clear timelines, deliverables, and resource requirements.
  • Advise on the selection of suitable technologies based on programme needs, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Facilitate pilot projects to test and evaluate new technologies.
  • Provide technical assistance and support to programme teams in integrating technology into their work.
  • Deployment advice and support including technical oversight, troubleshooting and the documentation of challenges and resolutions
  • Quality Assurance : during planning and deployment of T4D initiatives; participate in establishing and maintaining standards, documentation and support mechanisms for T4D.

B. Partnership and capacity building

  • Build relationships with technology partners and relevant stakeholders.
  • Explore opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing.
  • Stay informed about emerging T4D trends and best practices.
  • Develop training programs to equip program staff with the skills needed to use technology effectively.
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among different programme teams and departments on T4D best practices.
  • Promote a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the agency.
  • Contribute to monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the impact of technology on programme effectiveness.
  • Collect and analyze data on technology use and impact.
  • Provide regular reports on progress towards achieving T4D objectives.

C. Project Management of technology initiatives

  • Project Management of technology initiatives, including providing guidance to project leads and programme specialists implementing IT solutions in the field
  • Manage project scoping and planning activities
  • Monitoring project progress and reporting to stakeholders

D. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

  • Advanced university degree in Information Technology 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 analysis, design and implementation of software systems;
  • Experience supervising external vendors and software developers;
  • Experience leading medium to large projects;
  • Experience with ICT, mobile and web-based technologies, particularly designing or deploying tools appropriate to the business requirements;
  • Excellent communication skills and experience presenting systems concepts to business owners;
  • Strong analytical skills, ability to supervise staff, ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks;
  • 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.

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