UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories, tirelessly working to save children’s lives, uphold their rights, and unlock their potential from early childhood through adolescence.

Our mission goes beyond a job—it is a deep calling that drives our passionate and committed team every day. At UNICEF, we are proud of the impact we make in the lives of children worldwide.

We offer a dynamic environment where careers flourish. With diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth, our staff are empowered to build fulfilling careers while contributing to a purpose that truly matters. Our supportive culture, alongside a competitive compensation and benefits package, ensures that every team member thrives as they help create a better future for every child.

Visit UNICEF Guinea to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a champion

Guinea is a lower-middle-income country facing significant challenges in child development and deprivation. According to the latest Human Development Index (HDI) report, Guinea has an HDI of 0.480, ranking 178th out of 191 countries in 2023, reflecting its ongoing struggle with poverty and social development challenges. Since 1984, UNICEF has worked with the government and various partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to improve conditions for children.

The population of Guinea is projected to be around 15.2 million in 2025, with 63.4% living in rural areas and women comprising approximately 50.3% of the population. The annual growth rate remains steady at about 2.8%. Children under the age of 18 account for roughly 51% of the population, underscoring the critical need for child-focused interventions in areas such as health, education, and protection (World Population Review).

The vision of the 2024-2028 country programme is: “A Guinea where children, especially adolescent girls and children from the most vulnerable families in the most disadvantaged geographical areas, have equitable opportunities for sustainable access to essential social services and quality social protection, and can reach their full potential, including in a context of climate-related vulnerabilities and emergencies”.

Currently, Guinea faces several humanitarian and emergency situations with multiple health crises, including outbreaks of diseases such as poliovirus, diphtheria, yellow fever, and Lassa fever. The country is particularly vulnerable to health shocks due to weak healthcare infrastructure. In addition, the country faces regularly natural disasters, such as flooding, which displace populations, damage infrastructure, and exacerbate the already challenging humanitarian conditions. These ongoing challenges necessitate continued support and local resilience-building measures to mitigate their impacts on the population.

The UNICEF Guinea office is looking for committed and creative associate to make a lasting difference for Guinean children.

How can you make a difference?

Senior Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Associates reports to the Technology for Development Specialist P3. He / she performs specialized activities pertaining to UNICEF’s ICT systems including desktop administration, server operations, hardware, and software. Specialized activities may include technical support in the testing and implementation of new application system releases, modules and functionalities and systems administration tasks. This is skilled work, which may include the provision of procedural leadership to more junior staff or serve as a focal point for a systems project.

She/ he will be responsible of the following missions:

ICT Office Customer Service Support:

•             The Senior ICT Associate is fundamentally involved in enlisting the support and cooperation of client staff from across the office in the installation and maintenance/troubleshooting of ICT applications.

•             S/He liaises and interacts with colleagues, users and user groups in establishing application requirements, proposing them to concerned development entity, and providing training in new systems and applications.

•             The Senior ICT Associate may coordinate with external service providers, such as telephony providers, and consultants, ensuring delivery of agreed services and prompt resolution of service issues.

ICT Administration:

• Senior ICT Associates perform specialized IT application administration activities to ensure functionality and facilitate user interface. Accountabilities/key results include:

•             Analyzing functional issues, developing functional specifications and identifying the need for new systems or re-engineering/enhancements of the existing systems or applications.

•             Supporting the development, programming, testing, debugging and implementation of new applications and systems and customizing existing applications.

•             Identifying system vulnerabilities and relevant security patches; prioritizing, evaluating, testing and applying third party patches.

•             Providing second-level support to users on systems applications including assistance on technical issues, setting up user access security profiles, and other related user issues.

•             Drafting technical documentation and manuals.

•             Assessing training needs, developing and presenting structured and ad hoc training to users as required.

•             Assisting in the management of specialized ICT projects, particularly in the area of development and implementation of new systems and applications.

•             Preparing periodic and ad hoc reports.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  GJP 130120 Senior ICT Associate G-7.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

• Completion of Secondary education is required, supplemented with formal training at university level in Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Engineering.
• ITIL Foundation Certificate or equivalent customer support certification is an asset.

For this position, a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a relevant field can replace three years’ professional experience. A Master’s degree can replace a further two years. Cf World Higher Education Database (WHED) Portal

• Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of practical work experience in information technology, requiring systematic methods of troubleshooting and problem solving is required.
• Experience in providing assistance to users on IT products and services, and use of applications and diagnostic tools is required.
• Practical experience in providing technical and business Customer Support and Services is required.
• Practical experience and working knowledge of various computer platforms and applications is required

• Language Requirements:

Fluency in French or English and working knowledge of the other language

Desirables:

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Experience in emergency response is desirable.

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

The 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.