This position is located in the Resource Management Service (RMS), Information Technology Services Section (ITSS), Business Applications Unit of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Information Systems Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
• Acts as focal point for receipt and processing of user requests.
• Provides basic technical support on relevant software systems applications in assigned area.
• Installs application systems software according to specifications.
• Provides basic support in the planning, specification, design, development, implementation and maintenance of customized application software systems; works with senior IT staff on the definition and specification of requirements; builds, tests and modifies prototype application software based on detailed instructions; installs and maintains software systems.
• Supports senior staff in the creation and maintenance of application software within using primarily Microsoft technologies (Microsoft SQL Server, MS SQL Server Analysis Services, Microsoft SharePoint) and web-based architectures.; assists in the preparation of technical and user documentation, as well as in the production of training materials.
• Provides support on software development matters, including security, data integrity and recovery; assists with needs assessment for new systems (including modifications to existing systems). Performs ongoing reviews with users and developers and responds to requirements; requests, implements, provides operational support and maintains various applications.
• Maintains regular contact with users and technical staff in user offices and provides support as required.
• Conducts research on new technologies as requested; keeps abreast of developments in the field; assists in testing and evaluating new products and technologies.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of relevant programming language(s) and basic programming skills. Good technical skills, ability to participate in development and maintenance of applications, provide user support. Ability to respond to changing requirements and assignments, ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of experience in information systems analysis and programming, systems administration and maintenance, software development, technical writing or related area is required.
Experience working in an environment that uses an Agile software development best practice, such as Scrum, is an advantage. Experience with database design for software application back-end development, in particular on Microsoft SQL Server platforms is an advantage. Experience with Microsoft PowerBI, Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services and Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services is an advantage. Experience creating web-sites based on Drupal (e.g. Drupal8) is an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice•The initial duration if this temporary job opening is for three months with possibility of extension, starting as soon as possible. The duration of the appointment is subject to the availability of funds. Candidates should have no expectation of any fixed-term appointment possibility after the end of this temporary assignment. Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station.
•If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.
•Subsequent to the initial temporary appointment, new and successive temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same office or in a different office any number of times, for any duration, provided that the length of service does not exceed the period of 364 calendar days.
•Passing the United Nations Administrative Assessment Support Test (ASAT) or the Global General Service Test (GGST) in English or French at Headquarters, ECA, ESCWA, UNOG, UNOV, ICTR, or ICTY is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Service category in the United Nations Secretariat.
•A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments.
•All TJOs in the General Service and related categories, at the levels GS-5, GS-6 and GS-7 shall be open only to internal staff members at the respective duty station holding a Fixed-Term Appointment, Continuing Appointment or Permanent Appointment. When a qualified internal staff member cannot be identified, the hiring manager may submit a request for an exception for selecting an external candidate (including a staff member holding a temporary appointment). Such requests must be substantiated and submitted to the respective Recruitment focal point who in turn will review for transmittal to OHRM.
•While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1
•For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.
•For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.
According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.