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, ensuring alignment with UNU’s requirements. This position will be critical to optimizing and scaling business solutions, including the ERP and complementary business applications, 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 UNU’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 UNU’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 UNDP, 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;
• Proactively identify and recommend improvements by leveraging Oracle Cloud functionalities and integrations with other applications, informed by insights from data review and process oversight tasks;
• Develop clear and concise functional specifications and robust testing plans for successful solution roll-outs;
• Support the University to pilot and implement new technologies including AI-driven solutions to advance the ERP environment;
• Collaborate effectively with the UNDP ERP functional and technical teams to ensure timely delivery and high-quality implementations;
• Contribute to UNU’s Campus 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 UNU’s ERP and complementary business applications;
• Maintain a well-defined UNU master data model and hierarchical structures within the ERP platform to support organizational changes and reporting requirements;
• Champion proactive change management process by coordinating change requests for all system modifications from UNU’s business owners and users;
• Perform impact analysis of UNU’s specific functionalities and business processes validation when there is an ERP change applied by the University 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;
• Analyze data contained in ERP databases, identify data integrity issues with existing and proposed system changes and implement solutions;
• 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 UNU’s business trends and assist in process management, including involvement in audit activities.

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

• Coordinate with UNU IT to ensure that the UNU ERP data warehouse infrastructure is secure, scalable and able to meet future business needs;
• Establish appropriate data validation and cleansing procedures to maintain high standards of data quality and integrity in the UNU ERP data warehouse;
• Ensure data requirements are met for all systems 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;
• Champion the creation 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 and business applications
• Fully operational data warehouse with ERP data for reporting needs
• Fully functional dashboards that meet 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, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in place of an advanced university degree.
• 7 years of proven track record in managing ERP systems and modern Cloud technologies;
• 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;
• Skilled in change management expertise and experience, including the ability to develop and implement comprehensive change management strategies for business solutions deployments and experience in assessing the scope and impact of change across technology and business areas;
• Excellent communication skills and experience in effectively presenting ERP processes to business process owners and end-users;
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to work independently under pressure and manage multiple task assignments.
• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (of/in the range of) USD 59,151 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: 05 January 2025.

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

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector’s authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

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 organisation. 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.

If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

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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