The Position:

The Infrastructure/Network Analyst is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of UNFPA’s global network infrastructure. This includes facilitating the secure use of applications and data, contributing to the planning and development of a cost-effective and efficient global network infrastructure, and supervising a team of infrastructure support personnel. This role is vital to maintaining a robust and secure technology environment that enables UNFPA to achieve its global development objectives.

You will report directly to the Platforms and Services Specialist.

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 relies on a robust network infrastructure across its headquarters and field offices to deliver consistent and dependable ICT services to all users. To prevent disruptions and ensure optimal performance, this infrastructure requires meticulous design, installation, configuration, monitoring, and upgrading. The purpose of this job is to ensure the seamless administration and management of UNFPA’s vital network and infrastructure services. Any errors in managing this infrastructure could potentially disrupt or even shut down the entire UNFPA network, leading to financial losses, damage to the organization’s credibility, and reduced staff productivity.

You would be responsible for:

• Infrastructure and Network Administration:
  • Obtain a thorough understanding of the UNFPA’s current local and wide area network design and propose improvements to various components
  • Monitor network performance and troubleshoot network issues for the offices located in different countries and propose improvements
  • Implement regular and preventative maintenance for the core and edge switches
  • Provide remote monitoring and technical backstopping for LAN facilities and services including management of switches, routers, and firewalls for all of UNFPA offices located globally in about 125 countries
  • Collaborate with other IT teams responsible for services related to telecommunications, applications development, and systems administration to ensure that appropriate network traffic and security concerns are addressed
  • Perform and document cost-benefit analysis to assess the financial and operational viability of proposed network infrastructure deployments
  • Provide substantive inputs and suggestions on all aspects related to the design, and testing of new network products, infrastructure, policies, and services

• Management Services:
  • Project management, Team Coordination, Managing implementation and development of the network infrastructure
  • Document configuration and support procedures for network equipment and systems. Develop and maintain configuration policies and best practices guides
  • Coordinate services, installation, maintenance and supplies from external vendors and other United Nations agencies
  • Analyze information from the switches, firewall and other network equipment and prepare analytical reports to measure effectiveness and usage of services

• End-User Support:
  • Deliver prompt and effective technical assistance by providing swift and comprehensive technical support to both HQ staff and ICT focal points in field offices.
  • Serve as the primary contact for resolving complex infrastructure related technical issues that require advanced troubleshooting or specialized knowledge.
  • Lead a team of service desk professionals who provide global IT support to UNFPA users
  • Continuously improve support processes by carrying out regular analysis of service desk cases to identify recurring problems and implement strategies to streamline support procedures.
  • Monitor system performance and user feedback to anticipate and address potential technical problems before they escalate, minimizing downtime and improving user experience.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by ITSO leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Computer Science or Engineering or another related field.
• A first level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience and additional infrastructure security training and certification programs may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in networking and/or network security at the national or international level in the public/private sector.
• Supplemental courses and training in L2/L3 network switching, router and security appliance management.
• Technical certifications preferably in Cisco/Meraki systems, minimum ITIL v3 or v4 , Firewall configuration.
• Experience in supporting network operations in an enterprise environment with hands-on experience in the following areas: Switch configuration; Firewall configuration; TCP/IP protocols; and network infrastructure design.
• Working knowledge in the development and maintenance of network equipment/systems as well as cloud technology are required.
• Experience with administration and deployment of collaboration tools i.e. Google, Poly, Cisco etc.
• Strong analytical skills.

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:

• Implement technology solutions that utilize management and operational best practices,
• Provide reliable telecommunication,
• Ensure that the network is monitored to prevent intrusion.

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.