Org. Setting and Reporting

The Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) is leading the digital transformation of the Organization to enable a better, safer, more sustainable future through secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions. The United Nations Office of Information and Communication Technology’s Enterprise Solutions Service (OICT/ESS) develops and supports a wide range of enterprise solutions and provides products and services that support the work of the UN. This position is located in the Enterprise Solutions Service, Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT/ESS), hosted by ESCAP in Bangkok, Thailand. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Enterprise Solutions Service. OICT is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. OICT supports the principles of work-life balance and flexible work arrangements.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Enterprise Solutions Service Chief, the Senior Information Systems Officer may be responsible for the following duties: • Conceptualizes, develops strategy for and oversees the design and implementation of major systems initiatives; manages/oversees multiple, concurrent, and often disparate tasks for projects that often involve innovative applications, dissimilar systems, as well as databases and highly complex systemn integration and linkages. • Provides authoritative technical and policy advice on systems development in a changing business environment and the implications of various alternatives on business applications and other related issues; identifies and plans for future needs; develops and disseminates best practices. • Leads and directs a team of information systems officers; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. • Manages procurements, including conducting needs assessments and benchmarks, preparing bid documents, and arranging contracts; supervises, coordinates, and negotiates the services required to enable the management and operation of interdependent administrative, financial, human resources, and other information systems. • Develops and monitors performance measures; ensures that projects meet established time and cost parameters and standards of technical quality. • Assist with the preparation and monitoring of the budget, work program, and spending plan. • Develops innovative solutions to resolve intricate problems that impact a critical area of the organization’s work. • Ensures the development of standards, procedures, and practices to ensure a stable and effective systems environment • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Comprehensive knowledge and expertise in systems design, development, management, implementation, and maintenance of complex information systems. Proven ability to lead the design and implementation of large-scale centralized or decentralized institutional systems and to effectively analyse and evaluate critical systems issues within the context of business operations. Demonstrated capability to integrate technical knowledge with broader strategic, policy, and operational objectives, and to provide expert advice to senior management on complex systems development and related issues of significant importance to the organization. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to continuously improve processes and approaches and adapt to changing priorities. In-depth understanding of the organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy, as well as the ability to negotiate and influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues. Consistently demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, takes pride in work and accomplishments, and is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows perseverance in the face of difficult problems or challenges, remains calm in stressful situations and takes responsibility for incorporating a gender perspective and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and fulfills commitments; delivers results for which one is responsible within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; works in accordance with organisational rules and regulations; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated tasks; takes personal responsibility for one’s own shortcomings and those of the work unit as appropriate. • Client Orientation: Strong client-oriented mindset and ability to consistently view service provision from their perspective. Proven ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients by building trust and respect. Demonstrated capability to effectively identify and understand clients’ needs, and to match them with appropriate solutions. Strong ability to monitor ongoing developments within and outside of the client’s environment to stay informed and anticipate potential issues. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects, and meets deadlines for delivering products or services. Proven ability to ensure client satisfaction and build long-term relationships with clients. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that others want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to achieve goals; builds and maintains relationships with a wide range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by seeking mutually agreed solutions; drives change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; has the courage to take unpopular positions. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for integrating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of policies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Managing performance: Delegates appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each member of staff; accurately assesses the time and resources required to complete a task and matches tasks to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports staff development and career aspirations; appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics, or a related field is required. A recognized first- level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or a related field is required. Experience in managing teams located in different countries and time zones is required. Experience in managing and coordinating large-scale projects integrating new policies, processes, technology, and organization within the United Nations secretariat is required. A minimum of 4 years of experience in Customer Relationship Management, Service Management and Billing is desirable. Hands-on experience with Inspira talent management, performance management, and iNeed is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be assessed through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

This is a temporary position and will initially be available through 31 December 2025. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post. The United Nations is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.