Technical Officer
OVERVIEW
Post Number : DBS/PA 004
Grade : P-3
Parent Sector : Bureau for Digital Business Solutions (DBS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Computer Sciences / Information Technologies
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 16-JUL-2024
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Initial duration of contract is 12 months with possibility of renewal subject to funding and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Digital technologies play a key role in the fulfillment of UNESCO’s mandate and the delivery of its programme. The Bureau for Digital Business Solutions (DBS) plays a key role in this implementation. DBS serves as the Secretariat for the Organization’s digital transformation governance, facilitating the development and evolution of the One-UNESCO Digital Strategy.
A critical part of this strategy and overall digital governance is the UNESCORE Programme, aiming to redesign core information systems and:
- Streamline core work processes for speed, efficiencies, and results.
- Standardize data management for improved capture, reporting, analytics, institutional memory, and transparency.
- Strengthen accountability at all levels of the Organization.
The objectives and outputs of the Bureau are highly service-oriented, requiring business engagement, customer focus, and innovative digital solutions, such as the new UNESCORE platform. New ways of working are needed that provide both effectiveness and efficiency in solution delivery, built on best-in-class principles of user experience design and digital/IT architectures.
Located in the Workplan, Programme Management (WPM) Unit and under the direct supervision of the Head of the Solution Design and Implementation Section, the Technical Officer plays a key role in driving the development of detailed solution designs and platforms (especially Salesforce) in a modern technical environment in line with, and substantively contributing to, the delivery of the Bureau’s digital transformation initiatives, particularly in relation to the transition to a platform-oriented approach.
The Technical Officer knows, and capitalizes on, how impactful significant engagement and interactions with technical and functional teams, as well as with client and business stakeholders, can deliver outcomes and business objectives. The Technical Officer also ensures the technical support and service availability to support business continuity of the existing systems for which he/she is responsible. The Technical Officer is a fast learner and has also good understanding of back-end database design and implementation, including but not limited to database models, data ingestion pipelines, advanced SQL and related services.
Long Description
In particular the incumbent will be expected to perform the following activities:
- Engage with key stakeholders, functional specialists, and users. Understand business needs and new digital technologies. Drive design and delivery of solutions, ensuring that business requirements are met. Support Salesforce adoption, manage issue resolution, provide communication, training, and perform change management activities.
- Understand UNESCORE (Salesforce) underlying platform implementation, analyze and resolve issues, develop reports, and provide technical specifications based on business needs.
- Have a solid understanding and technical knowledge of database implementation and analytics.
- Provide technical leadership on applications related to Workplan and Programme Management built largely on Salesforce. Map current to target landscape, ensure competency alignment, plan system phase-outs, and support system maintenance and evolution.
- Plan, manage, and organize design and development work. Ensure translation of business requirements into technical solutions. Bridge gaps between technology and stakeholder use, onboard new stakeholders, create training materials, and advise leadership. Proactively address issues for successful transitions.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced level university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Information, Digital Technology, Computer Science or a related field.
- A first-level university degree in Information, Digital Technology, Computer Science or a related field, in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Work Experience
- A minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in leading digital solutions design and development and/or a related role, of which preferably two (2) years acquired at international level.
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Salesforce knowledge is required.
- Experience operating with minimal supervision and exercising independent judgement to complete tasks and achieve objectives, would be an asset.
Skills and Competencies
- Good understanding of IT context and tools and their linkage to business processes that enable day to day operations.
- Technical experience across digital corporate platform support.
- Extensive experience managing, interacting and collaborating with key internal and external business stakeholders with the ability to explain technical concepts, specifications and solutions by translating them into relevant customer contexts.
- Extensive experience working in a client facing role.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French, and good knowledge of the other.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Building Partnership, Teamwork, Client orientation, Communication
- Creativity and Innovation, Technological Awareness, Result Based Management
- Result Based Budgeting, Promoting Organizational Change and Development
Languages
- Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 103 683 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.