Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.   UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP operates in more than 170 countries and territories around the world. UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations that can withstand crisis, and that drive and sustain growth that improves the quality of life for everyone.

In Botswana, the role of UNDP is shaped by the status of the country as an upper middle-income country. UNDP has been collaborating with the Government, Civil Society, the Private Sector, UN Agencies and other Development Partners to develop solutions that respond to global commitments, national development aspirations and address challenges. UNDP’s approach has been to forge and sustain strategic partnerships that find innovative solutions to address gaps on both the demand and supply side of development processes.

The Country Office utilizes a portfolio approach to programming that improves programmatic synergies and collaborations among CO portfolios and projects for enhanced results attainment. A robust and responsive operations team including the ICT functions is critical to the realization of this strategy.

The ICT team plays a crucial role in the Country Office (CO) as reliance on digital technology continues to increase in all office operations, projects and programme deliveries. The team drives UNDP's digital transformation efforts in the CO to better enable, leverage and deploy technology solutions that help the CO implement new ways of doing business to to work smarter and more efficiently, and ultimately to improve the way it provides value to UNDP partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Operations Manager the ICT Associate provides leadership in execution of ICT services in the CO, implements ICT management systems and strategies, and provides daily technical support to users of information management tools and technology infrastructure. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing and advising on the use of new technologies that will enhance CO productivity. The ICT Associate promotes a client-oriented approach.

The ICT Associate supervises ICT support staff and works in close collaboration with Programme, Operations, and project teams in the CO, UNDP HQ staff, Regional Information Officer (RIO), and the Regional Bureau Information Manager (RBIM) to resolve complex ICT-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
 

Key Duties and Accountabilities
1) Ensure implementation of ICT strategies and introduction/ implementation of new technologies:
Ensure compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines, and procedures for the CO technology environment; Provide input to elaboration of internal policies and procedures on ICT use. Elaborate the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in ICT in consultation with office management; Conduct market research and analysis and introduce new technology for Country Office system updating and improvement; Provide advice on and assistance in procurement of new ICT equipment for the CO and projects; and provide technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets. Review quotations and bids;  Develop and update the ICT annual plan. Ensure maintenance of measures in place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures; Provide support to the use of ERP functionality for improved business results and improved client services. 2) Ensure effective functioning of the CO hardware and software packages: Provide advice on maintenance of equipment and acquisition of hardware supplies;  Supervise the implementation of corporate UNDP systems; Perform specific technical functions, including changing of hardware electronic components (disks, memories, network wiring, power sources, etc.) and making routine repairs.

3) Provide automation and digitalization support for both CO Operations and Programmes:

Provide support in the development of the new software packages for high impact results (e.g., office management system, electronic registry, etc.) as required;  Support development of new automation tools using UNDP corporately developed platforms; Participate in developing Terms of Reference (TOR) for software products and provide monitoring and evaluation support to Programme teams during the development life cycle;  Support provision of in-house development of tools for programme and operations as needed; Identify opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency (e.g., office management system, donor profile software, knowledge management systems). 4) Ensure efficient network administration: Monitor the network connection on a daily basis to ensure a stable and responsive network environment; Operate network utility procedures; define network users and security attributes; establish directories, menus, and drive-mappings; configure network printers; and provide user access. Ensure UNDP desktop and network resources are protected from malicious virus attacks and deploy countermeasures in the event of attacks; Implement cloud-based backup and restoration procedures for local drives;  Ensure timely upgrade of LAN Infrastructure and Internet connectivity to meet UNDP requirements;  Respond to user needs and questions regarding network access; Maintain up-to-date parameters of information for the network clients and electronic mail; Trouble-shoot and monitor network problems; Maintain an up-to-date inventory of software and hardware and stock of supplies and spare parts in cooperation with the Procurement Unit. 5) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO: Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, and information provision; Organize training for the Operations and project staff on ICT issues;  Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in ICT; Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization   Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise ICT support staff.    Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process. Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build and/or /maintain coalitions/partnership. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Management

Result-based Management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs, provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy, and look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests; Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.  Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. 

Information Management and Technology

IT Customer Support Ability to support customers on IT related issues and generate and contribute to continuous improvement processes to deliver a great user experience. Knowledge of ISO 9001 desirable. ITIL certification or similar is desirable. Network, Communication, and Infrastructure Management Ability to develop/integrate/operate/manage IT network, communications, Cloud or on-premises infrastructure, and new technologies like IoT. Cisco CCIE CCNP or similar is desirable.  User Experience and Business Analyst Capacity to translate efficiently user needs into IT requirements around human-centered design. Requirements
 Education:
Secondary education is required with formal training in IT systems, business software and/or web-based applications. Certifications in CCNA, MSCA, MCSE or MCP are an asset;    A university degree in Information Technology, Information Management, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or an equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience in network administration and operations, web design, providing technical support for hardware/software or cloud ERP environments, working with telecommunications facilities; and applying knowledge of database applications, web-based management systems, and cloud infrastructure solutions; Experience working with user-centered designs and conducting user research and testing is required.

Language:

Fluency in English is required; Fluency in Setswana is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.


Disclaimer        
  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.
Non-discrimination   UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.     UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.    Scam warning   The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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