IT Associate, (GS-6), Malabo, Guinea Ecuatorial, #00131464 (Temporary Appointment)

Organization Context The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Commitment.

Job Organizational Context

The UNICEF Country Office has recently benefited from a significant funding from the MPTF of over $5M for the procurement and delivery of health equipment to reinforce the health system at the outreach level (Public Health Care center) to cover the most vulnerable population, especially children and pregnant women. For its deployment, many technological systems will be set up in the process workflow and in the transactions with the suppliers, so it is necessary to have a local ICT that could provide an appropriate solution to the challenges around this project for an accountability, transparency and effective response to the donor, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Associates perform procedural and some specialized activities pertaining to UNICEF’s ICT systems, which include desktop administration and server operations. Specialized activities typically pertain to the installation and routine configuration of ICT system components and user orientation. Procedural activities include all other processes that may not require the application of specialized information technology training and knowledge, such as maintaining technical and user documentation and/or serving as focal point for receipt and processing of user requests.

How can you make a difference? 

The work of ICT Associates impacts on the delivery of routine ICT administration activities that are closely interrelated with the work of other members of the ICT team to which assigned. The work performed affects not only the functionality of fundamental ICT systems, but also the operational efficiency of staff throughout the organization. Indirectly his/her work impacts on delivery of organization-wide programmes.

ICT Associates also play a key role in providing ICT customer service support (second level) and minimal troubleshooting tasks. The incumbents are routinely involved in working closely with colleagues in ICT on crosscutting issues and with client departments and staff in the handling and resolving of routine as well as minor specialized processes and delivery of ICT services. These relationships are important to ensure that (a) client needs are met expeditiously, (b) ICT systems are functioning as designed and (c) UNICEF’s staff are kept aware of new software releases, tools and equipment.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

General ICT / Office Support:

ICT Associates at this level perform a full range of procedural activities in support of ICT to ensure effective communications with client departments/divisions/offices and efficient provision of support to other ICT staff.

Activities include:

• Providing first-level support that includes receiving, processing, and logging service requests.

• Managing lifecycle of ICT incidents assigned to him/her in service management tool.

• Providing support in conferencing with ICT and audiovisual equipment as and when requested.

• Creating and assigning work orders.

• Maintaining and updating files (electronic and paper) and internal databases.

• Maintaining ICT inventory, manuals and other documentation. This may require the incumbent to lift, move, mount, or store equipment.

Minimal ICT Administration:

ICT Associates are accountable for specialized support pertaining to routine ICT activities requiring thorough understanding and application of server, operating system, hardware and software documentation and functionality.

Activities include:

• Installing/upgrading, configuring (routine, standard) and maintaining systems, tools, and equipment.

• Assisting in routine operation and monitoring of server systems.

• Providing second-level user support/troubleshooting.

• Extracting data from databases to serve the needs and requests of users, diagnosing errors and correcting as necessary.

• Emergency communications equipment Inmersat, BGAN and Iridium Satellite Phone.

• Assisting in the generation of computer reports.

• Providing on-the-job orientation for users in the use of ICT systems.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• Completion of Secondary education is required, supplemented with formal training in Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Engineering.

• ITIL Foundation Certificate or equivalent customer support certification is an asset.

Work Experience: 

• A minimum of six years of practical work experience in information technology, requiring systematic methods of troubleshooting and problem solving is required.

• Experience in providing assistance to users on IT products and services, and use of applications and diagnostic tools is required.

• Practical experience in providing technical and business Customer Support and Services is required.

• Practical experience and working knowledge of various computer platforms and applications is required.
  
  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (English and French) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.