Senior Information Technology Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) is a key component of the United Nations, dedicated to leading the digital transformation of the organization. Its mission is to enable a better, safer, and more sustainable future through secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions. OICT develops and supports a wide range of enterprise solutions and provides products and services that support the work of the UN. The organization is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, encouraging female candidates to apply. OICT also promotes work-life balance and flexible work arrangements, reflecting its commitment to a supportive work environment.

Job Overview:
The Senior Information Technology Assistant position is located within the Enterprise Solutions Service of OICT, hosted by UNLB in Brindisi, Italy. The incumbent will report directly to a Senior Information Systems Officer and will be responsible for overseeing server operations and administration, providing technical assistance, and supervising a team. The role requires planning, scheduling, and coordinating team activities, distributing work assignments, and monitoring progress. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of server systems, troubleshooting complex issues, and liaising with other groups within OICT and user departments. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying the need for new systems or re-engineering existing ones, as well as implementing standard backup procedures and maintaining documentation related to server systems. Additionally, the role involves supervising custom software solution deployment and support, ensuring service requests are logged and tracked, diagnosing and resolving complex problems, and keeping abreast of technological developments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Information Technology Assistant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Server Operations and Administration: - Provide full technical assistance and team supervision in server operations. - Plan, schedule, and coordinate team work, distributing assignments and monitoring progress. - Guide and train new or junior staff. - Oversee installation, configuration, testing, and deployment of server hardware and software. - Administer, operate, and monitor server systems, ensuring 24x7 operations. - Undertake complex troubleshooting and liaise with other OICT groups and user departments. - Implement backups and collect performance statistics, producing relevant reports. - Maintain documentation of server systems and perform other related duties as required.
• Custom Software Solution Deployment and Support: - Supervise installation or support staff, ensuring service requests are logged and tracked. - Act as a problem escalation point and diagnose complex hardware, software, or connectivity issues. - Design and implement solutions for simple problems and assist in resolving more complex issues. - Provide orientation and training to technical staff and draft documentation. - Generate workload and performance reports regularly. - Assist in the design and improvement of the automated tracking system.
• Physical Requirements: - May require lifting and moving equipment, working shifts, and visiting user premises to resolve issues. - Must be able to cope with working conditions in the Data Centre, which may include higher noise levels and lower temperatures.
• Other Duties: - Assist with data collection, analysis, and preparation of presentations and reports. - Update information materials such as web pages or brochures as needed.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with a first-level university degree being acceptable in lieu of two years of required experience. Candidates must possess a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in information technology or a related area, or 8 years if they hold a first-level university degree. Additionally, candidates must have at least 7 years of experience supporting hosting of custom applications for international audiences, managing servers and virtual machines, and writing CI/CD pipelines for Azure DevOps. Experience in developing and maintaining Disaster Recovery Plans, writing web applications using C#, and knowledge of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">information security and machine learning are also desirable. Experience in data analytics is a plus.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of two years of required experience, indicating that higher education can substitute for practical experience in certain circumstances.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in information technology or a related area. If the candidate holds a first-level university degree, a minimum of 8 years of experience is required. Specific experience requirements include at least 7 years supporting hosting of custom applications for international audiences, managing servers and virtual machines, and writing CI/CD pipelines for Azure DevOps. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in developing and maintaining Disaster Recovery Plans and writing web applications using C#. Experience with cost management on Azure Cloud and knowledge of information security and machine learning are desirable, as well as at least 1 year of experience in data analytics or a related area.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is beneficial for collaboration within the United Nations Secretariat, which operates in both English and French.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is limited to the Office of Information and Communications Technology and is subject to local recruitment. Applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. The initial appointment is for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance, funding availability, and continuation of function. The selected candidate will receive a fixed-term appointment limited in accordance with administrative instructions. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.