About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

UNU Centre Administration is responsible for developing and implementing administrative policies governing the UNU and its global network of institutes and programmes. In addition, UNU Centre Administration provides services to internal clients in the areas of financial management, budgeting, human resources management, travel and procurement. It also oversees the joint inter-agency Oracle Cloud ERP platform, facilitating and supporting essential business processes. UNU Centre Administration is located in Tokyo, Japan, with a global services centre based in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director and overall guidance of the Director of Administration, the Manager will spearhead the management and enhancement of the ERP platform’s functionality and user experience, and ensure alignment with the University’s requirements. This position will be critical to optimizing and scaling the ERP and business solutions, driving streamlined processes and data-driven decision-making across the University. Additionally, operating within a matrix reporting structure, the Manager will maintain a functional relationship with the Chief of IT to ensure seamless integration of the ERP within the University’s broader IT infrastructure and strategy.

The Manager promotes a client-centric, quality-driven, and results-oriented approach. Serving as a hands-on partner to business process owners and internal stakeholders, the incumbent will define the roadmap and strategy for the University’s enterprise business solutions. The Manager will work closely with business users to gather requirements, design, analyze, test and deliver an integrated solution, ensuring system changes are appropriately documented and users are trained. In collaboration with the lead ERP partner agency, the Manager ensures consistent service delivery and system performance to meet business requirements.

1. Design and implement enhancements for ERP and business applications

• Create and maintain an enhancements roadmap supporting business needs by maximizing Oracle Cloud ERP capabilities and integration with other business applications;
• Design and implement innovative solutions within the Oracle Cloud ERP platform to address business requirements;
• Proactively identify opportunities for process and workflow improvements by leveraging the full potential of Oracle Cloud functionalities and integrations with other applications;
• Develop clear and concise functional specifications, system configurations, and robust testing plans for successful solution roll-outs;
• Collaborate effectively with the ERP functional and technical teams from UNDP (Finance, HR, Procurement and Project leads), the principal ERP agency, to ensure timely delivery and high-quality implementations;
• Contribute to UNU’s Computing Centre’s systems development initiatives impacting the ERP.

2. Manage, maintain and optimize the ERP and business solutions

• Oversee the ongoing maintenance and optimization of Oracle Cloud HCM, Financials, SCM and PPM modules;
• Maintain a well-defined UNU master data model, system configurations and hierarchical structures within the ERP platform to support organizational changes and reporting requirements;
• Champion a proactive change management process by coordinating change requests for all system modifications from UNU business owners and users;
• Perform impact analysis of UNU’s specific functionalities and business processes validation when there is an ERP change applied by UNU or other partner agencies;
• Serve as the primary contact and liaison with UNDP, the principal ERP agency, and represent UNU in ERP-related initiatives and communications.

3. Deliver user support and training

• Investigate and resolve application functionality-related issues and provide support for issues and matters surrounding system utilization, functionality and data;
• Support the University to pilot and implement new technologies including AI-driven solutions to advance the ERP environment;
• Analyze data contained in ERP databases, identify data integrity issues with existing and proposed system changes and implement solutions;
• Make recommendations for enhancements and improvements based on insights gained from data review and process oversight tasks;
• Provide functional guidance to business users and other stakeholders to implement and optimize business processes for effective utilization of ERP system;
• Create comprehensive documentation including implementation guides, data flow mapping documents and diagrams, user guides and training materials;
• Keep abreast of the University’s business trends and assist in process management, including involvement in audit activities.

4. Ensure Secure, Scalable ERP Data Warehouse and High-Quality Standards

• Collaborate with UNU IT to ensure that the UNU ERP data warehouse infrastructure and connectivity are secure and scalable to meet future needs;
• Establish appropriate data validation and cleansing procedures to maintain high standards of data quality and integrity in the UNU ERP data warehouse;
• Ensure seamless data integration and consistency across various systems and platforms maintained by UNU IT that utilize ERP data.

5. Develop and deploy dashboards and reports

• Develop and implement a comprehensive business intelligence and data strategy to complement the ERP system for Finance, HR, Procurement and Project business leads;
• Champion the development of insightful reports, dashboards, and data visualizations based on the requirements of business process owners;
• Provide training sessions for end users to effectively use and interpret the reporting solutions.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Fully functioning ERP platform for business needs
• Fully operational data warehouse with ERP data for reporting needs
• Fully functional dashboard that meets the requirements of business owners
• Up-to-date and user-friendly guidance notes and documentation of the ERP platform
• Timely incorporation of client feedback on the system enhancements
• Regular dissemination of updates and reports as required
• Quality and level of engagement with UNDP as the ERP service provider and business process owners as critical clients

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

• Master’s Degree in Information Systems, Business Administration or related discipline;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• 7 years of proven track record of managing ERP systems and modern Cloud technologies;
• Strong cross-functional knowledge of Oracle Cloud ERP in Finance and other modules’;
• Experienced in defining business systems strategy, gathering and documenting business requirements, leading fit-gap analysis, as-is and to-be business process designs, functional configuration, testing and user training;
• Strong understanding of data management, data warehousing, and data governance.
• Proficient in business intelligence tools and technologies, such as SQL, Power BI, and similar technologies;
• Strong change management expertise and experience, including the ability to develop and implement comprehensive change management strategies for ERP deployments and experience in assessing the scope and impact of change across technology and business areas;
• Excellent communication skills and experience presenting ERP processes to business / process owners;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to work independently under pressure and manage multiple task assignments;
• Actively seeks to apply current expertise and new ideas on how to optimize the use of technology to streamline workloads;
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (of/in the range of) USD 71,332 to USD 79,091, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

How to Apply:

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 08 September 2024.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

National PSA only: UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

PSA holders do no hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

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