L’UNICEF recherche un Associé principal en TIC (Systèmes et applications), Dakar, Sénégal

L’UNICEF recherche un Associé principal en TIC (Systèmes et applications), Dakar, Sénégal

 

 

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Champion

This UN House project in Senegal is undertaken within the framework of the UN Secretary-Generals reform initiative, the Efficiency Agenda, as it strives towards a higher quality of services (as measured through client satisfaction) and more efficient administration utilizing Mutual Recognition to create a Common Back Office/Local Shared Services Centre.

In the new office compound, the UN will merge the service delivery of some administrative services and have a dedicated service team that will provide these services to all UN organizations. The service team will follow an Independent Project Unit model, and the service team is therefore referred to as the IPU team.

The IPU team will be responsible for the design and, subsequently, the provision of Facility Management, Administration, IT, and Security services. The range of service lines could increase as the UN efficiency agenda further develops.

The IPU is expected to pursue client satisfaction in all decisions, big and small, and the team’s performance evaluation will, therefore, to a large extent, be measured via client satisfaction ratings.

The IPU comprises 26 UN staff and is part of an annual budget of around $8 million.

The IPU is hosted by UNICEF and reports to a Management Board consisting of all the heads of the UN organizations present in Senegal and is chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job

Responsibilities:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ICT Specialist – Infrastructure, the ICT Senior System and Applications Associate at the G7 level will be responsible for adopting and maintaining backend systems, ensuring that all servers and automation systems are effectively operating within the agreed parameters and that all IPU backend systems/data centers are fully functional. The incumbent will work together with the Infrastructure and Support teams in implementing, deploying, and maintaining systems to improve customer experience. The incumbent will be responsible for deploying product updates, identifying production issues, and implementing integrations that meet the business’s needs. Support functionality and features to connect diverse and disparate software applications within the business. The incumbent will coordinate with the subject matter experts from all the IPU sections, such as Administration, Customer Services, Facilities Management, ICT, Security, and other stakeholders, to test various solutions.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within delegated authority, the Senior System and applications Associate

• Management of ICT backend infrastructure
• Coordinate and collaborate with other teams to ensure security, availability, reliability, and scalability of corporate applications to meet business demands.
• Maintenance, troubleshooting, System Monitoring and Performance management
• Facilitation of knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing.

A. Management of ICT backend infrastructure:

• Manage the ICT backend infrastructure such as Servers, virtual environment, storage, and other IT systems on-premises or cloud-based
• Ensure all the equipment is protected against viruses by installing the latest security software and monitoring it regularly (every day) for any breach and take appropriate action.
• Ensure Implementation of backup and restoration procedures for servers and storage as per the established guidelines.
• Take overall responsibility for the security of ICT Backend infrastructure operations and ensure that appropriate controls are implemented
• Maintain hybrid environment as on-premises server services such as file, printing, DNS, DHCP, and possibly cloud-based services
• Create and maintain user accounts
• Create and maintain groups
• Ensure smooth working of the Follow Me Printing system
• Assist in developing Disaster Recovery plans, ensuring these are consistent with the Corporate Business Continuity Plan
• Produce business cases for recommended architecture and infrastructure changes, identifying the anticipated business benefits, together with the risks and consequences of failure to support infrastructure performance reporting.
• Ensure alignment of the ICT operation with the global ICT operational master plan, strategy, policies and guidelines.

B. Coordinate and collaborate with other teams to ensure the security, availability, reliability, and scalability of corporate applications to meet business demands, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Collaborate with experts from all the IPU sections, such as Administration, Customer Services, Facilities Management, ICT, Security, and software developers, to ensure that development follows established technical and system requirements
• Support functionality and features to connect diverse and disparate software applications within the business (API dev…)
• Installation of commercial and in-house developed software and related upgrades and anti-virus programs on a timely basis under the guidance of ICT infrastructure.
• Assist in planning and ongoing development of the UN House common architecture and infrastructure, applying Systems Thinking and Lean approaches to drive out further efficiencies and costs.

C. Maintenance, troubleshooting, Systems Monitoring and Performance management 

• Perform routine application maintenance to ensure the production environment runs smoothly.
• Develop maintenance requirements and procedures
• Implement and maintain systems monitoring and alerting
• Maintain monitoring systems and dashboard
• Collaborate with third-party software developers and other stakeholders to maintain a higher availability of systems and maximum performance of automation systems
• Provide relevant regular systems performance reports
• Recommends performance enhancements by performing gap analysis, identifying alternative solutions, and assisting with modifications
• Identify and analyze root causes of performance issues and technical problems, and recommend and implement improvements and correction measures as per the organization’s procedures, standards, and resources.

D. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Diamniadio UN House, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Establish versioning control and collaborate with software developers to maintain a robust and agile version control
• Establish a git repository of documentation of all operational codes and update the intranet portal for ICT knowledge management
• Enhance and document system processes and procedures to improve consistency and maintain internal knowledge continuity and competency
• Design and implement tools for change management.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

• Secondary education is required, supplemented with formal training at university level in Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Engineering.
  * For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.

Experience

• 7 years of working experience managing backend systems (Windows – Linux server) and experience in VMware and/or Hyper V deployment and maintenance is desirable.
• Source and version control tools such as Git, programming languages (including Python, Ruby, C++, Java, JS, SQL), and issue tracking and visualization tools (Jira, Tableau, Power BI) tools are assets.
• Previous hands-on experience and knowledge of DevOps is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluency in French and a good working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, presently under construction in Diamniadio, 30 kilometers from downtown Dakar.