ICT Associate

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments, and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and the rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security, and long-term development. While nearly 20 million people are estimated to be acutely food insecure, women and girls are increasingly stripped of their rights to education, employment, and free participation in public life that will have irreversible socioeconomic consequences. Over the recent years, the international humanitarian assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building, and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centers, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan, which is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of the households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts, and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges of rebuilding livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services, and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods, and self-employment employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that calls for assembling multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

The ICT unit supports the mission of the country office and projects through effective technological solutions. Its primary role is to manage and maintain the ICT infrastructure— including hardware, software, networks, and communication systems—in alignment with UNDP's global policies as outlined in the Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) portal. The unit develops and implements ICT strategies that enhance operational efficiency and supports programme delivery. The team ensures information security and data protection by adhering to UNDP's cybersecurity policies and best practices. It provides technical support and training to personnel and facilitates the effective use of ICT tools and systems. The unit is responsible for business continuity planning, ensuring critical ICT services remain operational during any disruptions. It collaborates with programme teams to integrate innovative ICT solutions into project design and implementation. Additionally, it manages vendor relationships and oversees procurement processes for ICT goods and services. By fulfilling these responsibilities, the ICT Unit and team enables the UNDP country office to leverage technology effectively, contributing to the organization's development goals.

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.
• Participate in development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures in ICT services. 
• Conduct market research and analysis and provide support in introducing new technology for CO 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. 
• Participate in development and implementation of ICT annual plan. Maintain the measures in place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures. 
• Provide support to use of ERP functionality for improved business results and improved client services. 
• Provide ICT support for key events.

• Support effective functioning (installation, operation, and maintenance) of all UNDP hardware equipment and acquisition of hardware supplies.
• Perform specific technical functions, including changing of hardware electronic components (disks, memories, network wiring, power sources, etc.) and making routine repairs.
• Regularly monitor system performance and user feedback and recommend improvements to optimize operations and drive strategic outcomes.

• Install commercial and in-house developed software and related upgrades.
• 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 when needed.
• Assist in identifying 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).

Ensure efficient network administration.

•  Monitor the network connection daily to ensure a stable and responsive network environment.
• 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. Install anti-virus programs on a timely basis. 
• 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 and stock of supplies and spare parts in cooperation with the Administration and Procurement Teams.

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.
• Participate in the organization of training for the CO 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.