Back ICT Analyst

UNDP is committed to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to ensure that the quality of life for Afghans is substantially improved, as measured by tangible improvements in global indicators of social and economic wellbeing (such as the SDGs, Human Development Index scores). UNDP’s role is to help fortify development outcomes among local communities, government partners, and the private sector, using the SDGs as both a destination and a guide. Through the SDGs, a transformative shift from a war economy to a peace economy is possible, helping the Afghan government to meet its global commitments, its internal targets (such as those set by the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework-ANPDF), and, most importantly, the expectations and ambitions of the Afghan people. While this bold vision demands investments from UNDP, among all development actors, UNDP Afghanistan Country Office as a valued partner to the Government of Afghanistan by providing insights on understanding and overcoming multi-dimensional poverty. UNDP’s perspective is that meaningful poverty alleviation requires a different development approach – one that monitors and attempts to affect the systemic interplay of socio-economic factors, regional differences, and shifts in the political economy. To deliver this value proposition, the CO needs to ‘raise the bar’ on its development policy expertise and engage national and local policy makers on disrupting the complex systems contributing to intractable poverty.

This Job Description is part of a new office structure, which is designed to support a more integrated and collaborative way in supporting Afghanistan achieve sustainable development and sustainable peace. The Country Office has aligned the new office structure with the thematic vision of the emerging Country Programme and designed new ways of working that will facilitate more collaboration across the office, create the foundations for more sub-national level work and higher delivery and emphasize learning and support to national staff capacity development. 

In this context, the ICT Unit is entrusted with the following:

·       Provision of ICT services to CO and projects

·       Maintenance of hardware and software

·       Support with CO digitization programme and information management, data security, etc.

·       Cybersecurity support measures

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Operations Manager  , the ICT Analyst provides leadership in execution of ICT services in the Country Office, develops and implements ICT management systems and strategies, supervises provision of daily technical support to users of information management tools and technology infrastructure.

The incumbent is responsible for review and advice on the use of new technologies that will enhance the Country Office productivity.  The ICT Analyst promotes a client-oriented approach and ensures reliable connectivity of Atlas system by maintaining up to date infrastructure.

The ICT Analyst supervises the ICT Team, providing assistance and support on information management tools, technology infrastructure and ensures availability of the Local Area Network (LAN) and the Wide Area Network (WAN) environments. The ICT Analyst will work closely with Country Office management, Programme and Operations teams in the Country Office and UNDP HQs staff for resolving complex ICT-related issues, liaises with Regional Information Officer (RIO), Office of Information Systems and Technology (OIST) staff to align their ICT priorities and investments in ways that allow them to fully take advantage of opportunities brought by ATLAS and changes management including Business Process Reengineering and Knowledge Management Tools.

The ICT analyst is also responsible for the review and advice on the use of new technologies that will improve the LAN and WAN Infrastructure and supervises members of the ICT project team.

The ICT Analyst acts as focal point for policy issues of information and communication technology and technical ICT advisor for relevant Programmes.

Incumbent will approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and display a strong client orientation. As such s/he will display flexibility in performing other emerging tasks and additional duties as required.

Summary of key functions:

• Implementation of Digital and ICT strategies and new technologies in UNDP CO 
• Implementation of digital information and documentation management system 
• Management of CO hardware and software packages
• Networks administration and digitization
• Provision of web management services
• ICT for Development technical support
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Ensures implementation of Digital and ICT strategies and introduction and implementation of new technologies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and procedures for the CO technology environment.
• Analysis of the requirement and elaboration of internal policies and procedures on the use of ICT. 
• CO ICT and Digital business processes mapping and elaboration of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in ICT management.
• Participation in the office business process re-engineering activities and ensure that business needs drive IT solutions related to corporate resource management.
• Conduct of market research and analysis, and introduction of new technology for country office system updating and improvement.
• Provision of advice on and assistance in procurement of new ICT equipment for the UNDP CO P and projects, provision of technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets.
• Development and update of the ICT annual plan and road map. Development and update of the business continuity plan, disaster recovery plan, ICT infrastructure and training plans. Follow up on their implementation.
• Provision of support to the use of Atlas, Learning Management System, PMD functionalities for improved business results and improved client services.
• Leadership of the ICT team for effective and client-oriented services.
• Liaise with the various support teams and other Country Offices to develop tools that meet CO specific needs for example integration tools and locally developed systems for monitoring and improved efficiency. 

2. Ensures effective implementation of information and documentation management system focusing on the achievement of the following results: 

• Implementation of UNDP CO digital and information and documentation management system in accordance with UNDP policy and the country office needs. 

3. Manages CO hardware and software packages, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Develop, implement and monitor Desktop hardware and software standards and guidelines.
• Proposes tools and methods for improving effectiveness.
• Manages problem solving, support and assistance for use of office’s technology.
• Informs the ICT team of facilities and services to improve on effectiveness of the LAN.
• Coordinates setting of priorities for use of office’s technology.
• Provision of advice on maintenance of equipment and acquisition of hardware supplies. 
• Supervision of the implementation of corporate UNDP systems.
• Development of new information management solutions for high impact results (e.g. office management system, e- registry, intranet, etc).
• Ensure all Country Office software is licensed and up-to-date.

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

• Ensure availability and reliability of Country Office systems i.e. the Servers, WAN and LAN.
• Ensure appropriate network security, data security and access controls in line with corporate IM security requirements and standards considering both local and wide area issues; perform firewall management, including design, engineering, implementation, operations, and maintenance of various firewalls, DMZs (De-Militarized Zones).
• Monitoring of the computing resources to provide a stable and responsive environment.
• Operation of network utility procedures defining network users and security attributes establishing directories, menus and drive-mappings, configuring network printers and providing user access.
• Timely upgrade of LAN infrastructure and Internet connectivity to meet UNDP requirements.
• Provision of technical advice on network administration to other agencies as required and monitoring preparation of bills for cost-recovery for the services provided.
• Prepare and maintain ICT contracts and agreements ensuring they are reviewed and updated as required.
• Keep touch with service providers to ensure satisfactory service delivery.

5. Provides web management services, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency (e.g. office management systems, donor profile software, knowledge management systems).
• Technical maintenance of the UNDP CO websites and Intranet.
• Provision of technical advice on web management to other agencies as required and monitoring preparation of bills for cost-recovery for the services provided.

6.  ICT for Development focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Reviews and provides substantive comments on new ICT project proposals submitted for assistance and assist in the evaluation of ongoing projects particularly from the Information Technology point of view in order to assess the effectiveness of UNDP assistance.
• Participates in review group or steering committee for projects handling a large ICT component.

7. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office, focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Development and implementation of Country Office information and documentation management system in accordance with UNDP policy and the country office needs.
• Implementation of the system and creation of an intranet aimed at knowledge sharing in the country office.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on ICT issues.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in ICT areas.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices directly linked to ICT management.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Technical/Functional

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Service Delivery Coordination            

Ability to coordinate and deliver services in line with service level agreements and standards of excellence in UNDP

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Operational Efficiency

Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency

Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

IT Systems

Knowledge of IT innovations and concepts and ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

IT Security Management

Knowledge of IT security management concepts, processes, and innovations and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Digital Media

Ability to stay up to date on future technology/digital systems to maintain UNDP's presence and impact. 

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Network and IT Infrastructure Management

Ability to manage IT network and infrastructure

Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

IT Customer Support

Ability to support internal customers with IT assistance

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Masters or Bachelor’s University Degree in Information systems, Civil Engineering or related field, Information Management or Bachelors with four years of relevant experience in Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline. 

Experience:

• Master’s Degree and 0 years or Bachelor’s plus 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level including development and implementation of ICT strategies, management and supervision of ICT services and teams, hardware and software platforms, telecommunications facilities, knowledge of Windows-based packages/applications, experience in web design and development of web-based office applications.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English. Dari/Pashtu language will be an advantage.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP 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 UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility of renewal.