Information Systems Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Strategic Planning and Communications Service (SPCS) within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations. DESA was established to promote sustainable development and to support the work of the United Nations in economic, social, and environmental issues. The organization operates globally, with a mission to foster international cooperation and to provide a platform for dialogue among member states. DESA employs a diverse workforce and engages in various initiatives across multiple countries, focusing on enhancing the effectiveness of the UN's work in these areas.

Job Overview:
The Information Systems Officer will play a crucial role in managing and developing information systems within the United Nations. This position involves overseeing projects that include feasibility studies, systems analysis, and the design and implementation of moderately complex systems. The incumbent will provide specialized advice to users, translating their requirements into new applications and ensuring the integration of various systems. The role also includes maintaining and upgrading existing systems, troubleshooting issues, and providing user support. The officer will be responsible for developing training materials and conducting training sessions for staff, as well as creating disaster recovery plans. Additionally, the officer will research and evaluate new technologies, contributing to reports and papers on systems-related topics. The position requires collaboration with various divisions within UN DESA to enhance ICT governance and facilitate thematic areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Information Systems Officer include managing projects related to systems analysis and development, providing specialized advice to users, maintaining and enhancing existing systems, troubleshooting and resolving complex problems, developing and maintaining computer programs, organizing unit and integrated testing, developing training materials, and conducting training sessions. The officer will also be responsible for developing disaster recovery plans, researching new technologies, writing reports on systems-related topics, supervising junior staff, collecting and analyzing data for insights, and supporting ICT governance efforts within the department. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of information systems within the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of information technology and information management, particularly in systems analysis, database design, and programming. Proficiency in several high-level programming languages is essential, along with experience in structured and object-oriented design, relational systems, and scripting languages. The officer should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement systems of moderate size and complexity. A commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work is also required. The candidate should be able to analyze and interpret data effectively to support decision-making processes.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of computer information systems or related areas is required. Candidates must have at least three years of experience in cloud architecture and infrastructure, as well as experience in programming languages such as PHP, Python, and C#. Familiarity with web content management systems like Drupal and MySQL databases is required, while experience with relational database management systems (MSSQL) and .NET application development is desirable. Certification in cloud solutions such as AWS or Azure is also a plus, along with two or more years of experience in data analytics or related fields.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of proficiency specified in the UN Language Framework. Candidates should demonstrate strong reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English, while knowledge of French is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, and eligibility may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. The position may be limited to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. Candidates must adhere to the United Nations' standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and those with a history of violations of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law or misconduct may not be considered for employment. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.