UNFPA Information Technology Assistant Career in Nairobi Kenya

Vacancy No: VA/FPA/SOM/03/2011
Post Title: Information Technology Assistant

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Level: GS6
Duration: One year, Renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

Date of Issue: 27 January 2011
Closing Date: 21  February 2011

Organizational Unit: UNFPA Somalia Country Office

Organizational Context

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the International Operations Manager; the incumbent will provide daily technical support to users of information management tools and technology infrastructure.  The IT Assistant will work in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations staff and UNFPA HQ staff to resolve IT-related issues.

The IT Assistant is mainly expected to provide support to the office in Information Technology but will also be assigned responsibilities in the area of finance and administration.  In this regard the IT Assistant will specifically carry out the following functions:

·         Support Implementation of IT management systems and strategies:  ensure compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and procedures for the Country Office (CO) technology environment; provide support to the use of Atlas (UNFPA’s implementation of ERP) functionality; provide inputs to the Country Office administrative business processes mapping and implementation of the internal standard operating procedures; and provide inputs to preparation of results-oriented work plans.

·         Ensure effective functioning of the Country Office hardware and software packages:  Perform specific technical functions, including changing of hardware electronic components (discs, memories, network wiring, power sources, etc) and routine diagnosis and repairs of IT equipment with minimum external assistance, assist in the installation of commercial and in-house developed software and related upgrades, assist in upgrading patch and anti-virus programs on a timely basis; provide preventive maintenance and servicing of all IT equipment, monitor the file server traffic, usage and performance on a frequent and regular basis, support users in backing up and restoring their files, as well as in virus detection, removal and prevention.

·         Support networks administration: assist in trouble-shooting and monitoring of network problems; respond to user needs and questions regarding network access; assist in backup and restoration procedures for local drives; maintain backup logs; and assist in organizing of off-site storage of backups.

·         Provide administrative support: maintain an up-to-date inventory of software and hardware; maintain a library of IT related reference materials; maintain the inventory and stock of both consumable and non consumable inventory; extract data from various sources; research and retrieval of data from internal and external sources; prepare statistical charts, tables and reports as required; provide IT support to key events.

·         Provide support to Programme staff:  provide IT support to the programme staff and assist in the maintenance of an up-to-date electronic inventory of all programme files, important documents and a library of published articles and videos.

·         Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office: participate and assist in the organization of training for the Country Office staff on IT issues; contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice; ensure UNFPA’s issues and concerns are represented in forums on  common or shared IT facilities.

·         Ensure that there are adequate back-up and recovery procedures in place.  Ensuring full protection for major disasters by putting in place an effective disaster recovery preparedness plan; ensure that an offsite back-up plan is fully implemented.

·         Develop an action plan to address IT needs for UNFPA Somalia field offices located in Hargeisa, Garowe, Galkayo and Bosaso to ensure that there is no or minimum disruption to work performed in field offices due to IT related issues.

·         Liaise with UNDP Somalia IT Focal Points based in Nairobi, UNCC, Hargeisa and Garowe and UNHCR in Galkayo on efficient provision of IT related support and back-up under common Services Agreement.

Qualifications:

·         We require a candidate who has a University Degree in Information Technology with other computer certification such as Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) or equivalent.

·         He/she must have knowledge of electrical wiring and have a minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience, including network administration, support to management of hardware and software platforms and telecommunications facilites, knowledge of Windows-based packages/applications.

·         Good knowledge of PC/LAN operating systems, Microsoft Windows, corporate ICT security and viral protection systems as well as ERP is required.

The candidate should be fluent in written and spoken English.

Other competencies:

·         The necessary business acumen for the position and a client approach to work

·         Integrity, commitment and respect for diversity

·         Skills to manage relationships, communicate and develop people

·         An ability for analytical and strategic thinking and results orientation

·         Good knowledge of database systems.

Applications with a current CV and P11 (www.escwa.un.org/main/vacancies/P_11.doc) marked: VA/FPA/SOM/03/2011 – Information Technology Assistant on the envelope should be addressed to:

The Representative
UNFPA CO Somalia
P.O. Box 28832, 00200
Nairobi, Kenya.

OR Email address: recruit.unfpasom@unfpa.org

UNFPA will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

‘UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.  We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.’

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