Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Associate at the United Nations Office for Project Services

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Associate

Job Requisition ID: VA/2023/B5316/26367
Location: Abuja
Department / Office: AFR, GHMCO, Nigeria
Job categories: IT
Contract type: Local ICA Support
Contract level: LICA-6
Duration: Open-ended

Background Information about the Projects
NEWMAP:

• The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) aims to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds.
• The project has been operational in Nigeria since 2013 with funding from The World Bank that ended in June 2022. 
• The “Nigeria Climate Adaptation - Erosion & Watershed project” represents a scale-up phase of the World Bank-financed NEWMAP, under a loan from the European Development Bank (EIB).
• The project consists of financing sub-investments (schemes) of sites affected by land degradation in Nigeria, including both gully erosion and degradation of drylands.
• The project involves two components - 1) Infrastructure, and 2) Technical Assistance. 
• The scheme selection is based on a multi-criterion ranking system, coupled with assessments on the level of readiness of the schemes and the capacity of the implementing state/s. All 23 states wish to participate in the project and are intended recipients of assistance from the project.
• The project is implemented by a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), located within the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), in coordination with the SPIUs that are established in each participating state.

RAAMP:

• The Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP and RAAMP-2) is an initiative that has been financed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), along with some contribution from the Government of Nigeria (GoN).
• The EIB’s “Nigeria Access to Agri-Markets Framework Loan” consists of a framework loan to finance sub-investments proposed under the existing RAAMP.
• The purpose of the project is to strengthen the infrastructure related to the agriculture sector by (i) improving and expanding the rural roads network connecting farms to markets, whilst (ii) enhancing infrastructure to transform products and support local farmers to increase productivity. 
• The project has so far been implementing schemes across thirteen Nigerian states. The EIB loan may possibly target the six states that have not received RAAMP funding to date viz, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Niger, and Taraba, that will involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of rural roads and agro-logistics centers in these pre-selected participating States.
• RAAMP is implemented by a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), located within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), in coordination with the SPIUs that are established in each participating state.  
• Under a Financing Agreement with the Government of Nigeria, UNOPS has been requested by EIB to provide implementation and oversight support to both projects in the following areas:
  • Screening and verification of schemes - assist EIB in screening the longlist against the set multi criteria and advise on final approval of shortlists to be financed under EIB loan. 
  • Procurement - assist EIB in ensuring alignment with EIB’s minimum requirements through prior and post reviews.
  • Environmental and social risk management of proposed schemes – ensure E&S safeguard compliance through clearance of ESMPs and monitoring their implementation.
  • Implementation Monitoring - oversight of the implementation of schemes and risk mitigating measures in coordination with the FPMU, SPIUs, the EIB, and relevant stakeholders through half-yearly monitoring missions, and Reporting on the implementation of schemes and the overall program performance.
  • Technical Assistance - provision of technical assistance to the FPMUs/ SPIUs on above areas of intervention, as necessary.
• The projects will be implemented within a 4 years duration but subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

The Role

• Under the direct supervision of the Administration Senior Associate, who reports to the Project Manager, and technical guidance of the ICT colleagues in HQ, the ICT Associate is responsible for efficient and effective ICT management and support to the operations in a given geography.
• In the discharge of her/his duties, the ICT Associate liaises with UNOPS programme support colleagues in order to ensure best support.

Summary of functions
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Support Services in the Hub and in accordance with UNOPS procedures and practices the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

ICT client services, management and administration:
Ensures efficient and effective ICT client services, management and administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implementation of ICT and operational strategies compliant with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and framework.
• Provision of fast, friendly, and effective user support.
• Advice on information technology and systems planning exercises undertaken in the Business Unit, and representing the Business Unit in those undertaken throughout UNOPS.
• Active networking with clients, addressing and improving common areas of concern.
• Provision of consulting services, ICT audit inspections and/or facilitation of selection/deployment of software to projects, seeking technical advice and support from HQ ICT personnel, as required.
• Liaison with UNOPS HQ, and other relevant units, to determine hardware and software requirements.
• Acting as effective UNOPS' liaison with the local UN partner agencies on issues relating to UNOPS ICT
• Participation in the development of ICT standards and strategies for the Business Unit
• Maintenance of inventory of all computer, audio/video communication equipment, and software in the Business Unit, ensuring compliance with asset management policies.
• Interaction with HQ and ICT personnel from other UN agencies in the area to share and exchange information and expertise on applications and tools.
• Effective functioning (installation, operation and maintenance) of all UNOPS hardware equipment and acquisition of hardware supplies, approved software and application of updates and patches in a timely manner.
• Supervision of information and communication services of the Business Unit and managed projects.
• Effective advice on all project implementation activities involving ICT; the hardware and software procurement process; and establishment and maintenance of a roster of potential suppliers.

Network Administration:
Ensures efficient network administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance of network and internet connectivity to ensure stable operation, availability of bandwidth, and reliable connection to the internet and HQ based systems
• Valid hardware maintenance agreements, to ensure timely resolution of hardware failures.
• A stable and responsive network environment based on daily monitoring of the network connection.
• Ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of UNOPS ICT systems and UNOPS information assets.
• Monitor and maintain proper backups of UNOPS data. Maintenance of measures in place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures Maintenance of video conference and telephony operations.

Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
• Participates, organizes and delivers trainings for the operations/ projects staff in ICT services.

Impact of Results

• The effective and successful achievement of key results by the ICT Associate directly affects the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the relevant business unit/project, in ICT management, impacting the timely and effective implementation of the respective services and deliverables.
• This ensures client satisfaction and promotes the image and credibility of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

Education / Experience / Language requirements
Education:

• Completion of Secondary Education / High School Diploma is required.
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor's Degree) in Information Sciences, Computer Sciences or Engineering or any related area with two (2) years relevant experience in the field of information technology and/or telecommunications and systems, preferably in an international or corporate environment may be considered in lieu of the 6 years relevant experience outlined below.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of progressively relevant experience in the field of information technology and/or telecommunications and systems, preferably in an international or corporate environment is required.
• Experience in the use of Google Suite applications as well as experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.
• Experience in management of Active Directory, Windows servers, and network infrastructure is desirable.
• Language Requirement
• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Note: UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Application Deadline 1st August, 2023 (before midnight Copenhagen time - CET).