UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting the Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power. Key priorities that govern or provide direction for the work of the position to demonstrate the link between the Unit priorities and position priorities/expected outcomes of an incumbent.

The post 15 August 2021 power shift in Afghanistan has resulted in severe political and social-economic instability in a climate of heightened uncertainty. The country faces challenges on multiple fronts, including COVID-19, poverty, food insecurity, droughts, and micro-and macroeconomic impacts. The political instability, economic volatility, and the collapse of essential services, compounded by the uncertainty over continued international aid and the severe disruption in financial and banking services, mean the risks faced by the Afghan population are acute and urgent. Without immediate and sustained support to re-establish these systems, Afghanistan faces a humanitarian catastrophe and the total collapse of its economy.

The ICT Unit in the UNDP Afghanistan Country Office (CO) enables UNDP to connect effectively among its country office in the primary office locations based in Kabul and all other locations like projects, field offices, as well as with other UN partner agencies for robust delivery of the UNDP programme and operations activities.

 The ICT unit is entrusted with the following minimum services:

• Provision of ICT support services to UNDP country office in UNOCA, and all other program, projects, regions, and field offices. 
• Maintenance of hardware and software
• Support with CO digitization program and information management, data security, etc.
• Cybersecurity support measures
• Computer and corporate applications support services, mainly MS 365 applications like SharePoint Online 
• ERP services
• MS Azure/Intune/AD Services
• IDAM (Identity and Access Management) services
• Internet connection provision
• Office extension with incoming and outgoing facility
• Printing services
• Centralized Document Management/Sharing/Document Collaboration System

Following is a list of key functions for this position, but not limited to, with the addition of tasks assigned on required basis. 

1. Implements ICT strategies and introduce/implement new technologies:

• Compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines, and procedures for the offices’ technology environment.
• Provision of inputs to elaboration of internal policies and procedures on the use of ICT.
• Elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in ICT in consultation with office management.
• Participate in development and update of the ICT annual plan.
• Provision of support to the use of corporate ERP for improved business results and improved client services.
• Provide helpdesk support to colleagues in the Country Office, Field Offices, and Projects.

2. Ensures effective functioning of Country Office and Regional Offices hardware and software packages focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provision of advice on maintenance of equipment and acquisition of hardware supplies, making routine repairs and change of hardware electronic components.
• Ensure implementation of corporate UNDP systems.
• Provision of inputs for development of new software packages for high impact results (e.g., office management system, electronic registry, etc.) as required.

3.  Ensures efficient networks administration focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Operation of network utility procedures defining network users and security attributes establishing directories, menus, and drive-mappings, configuring network printers, and providing user access. Ensure that the UNDP desktop and network resources are protected from malicious virus attacks and deploy countermeasures in the event of the attacks.
• Troubleshooting and monitoring of network problems.
• Respond to user needs and questions regarding network access.
• Maintenance of up-to-date parameters of information for the network clients and electronic mail.
• Implementation of backup and restoration procedures for local drives. Maintenance of backup logs. Organization of off-site storage of backups.
• Maintenance of measures in place for business continuity and disaster recover processes and procedures including backup and restoration of both server and local storage facilities.
• Timely LAN Infrastructure and Internet connectivity upgrade to meet UNDP requirements. 

4. Ensures facilitation of video conferences and communications in the office, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Installs, configures, and tests audio, video conference and desktop video conference hardware/software using available communication and network connectivity.
• Assists in meetings preparation by preparing and configuring conference hardware in various locations and operates equipment during conferences.
• Provides support and training for new users of conference systems and applications. 
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Regional Hub and CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Identification and promotion of different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, information provision.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on ICT issues.
• Maintenance of staff training profiles.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in ICT.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Regional Hub and CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification and promotion of different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, information provision. 
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on ICT issues. 
• Maintenance of staff training profiles. 
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in ICT. 
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of Operations Manager, and ICT Analyst, and the direct supervision of ICT Associate/G6, the ICT Associate/NPSA6 provides ICT services to the UNDP country office, field offices, and project teams, and implements ICT management systems and strategies, provides daily technical support to users of information management tools and technology infrastructure. The incumbent is also responsible for review and advice on the use of new technologies that will enhance the country offices.