Chief of Section, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

This position is located in Bamako, in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The Chief of Section, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies (GITTS) reports to the Chief of Service Delivery. There is also a functional reporting relationship to the Information and Communications Technology Division (ICTD) at UN Headquarters.

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies will be responsible for the following duties (These duties are generic, and may not be performed by all Chief, Information Systems and Telecommunications):

• Provides policy guidance to Senior Management of the mission, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies, policies and procedures;
• Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; coordinates with ICTD, and other Field Missions on matters related to Information Systems and Telecommunications (IST) operations and support; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section;
• Manages and supervises the work programme of the Section under her/his responsibility; co-ordinates the work effected by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others;
• Provides advice and guidance to the mission senior management on Information Management strategies, policies, and general practices in order to streamline and secure information and data used by the mission.
• Ensures coordination and monitoring of overall strategies and programmes for IST support activities of the mission, and takes the lead in acquiring the human and financial resources required. This will include the establishment of relevant strategic mission performance indicators which provide data and analysis for the review of legislative bodies. Ensures that all processes and systems in place are relevant and cost effective.
•Maintains active communication with ICTD and the global/regional service centres supporting the mission. Actively engages with civil, police and military components of the mission to ensure coordinated and high quality IST support according to their operational needs.
• Recommends innovative business improvements through the introduction of new technologies; provides leadership on introducing technological changes, and ensures proper change management procedures and guidelines are in place and adhered to;
• Plans and prepares the inputs for the work programme of the Section; provides leadership, guidance, and mentoring for the senior staff, and fosters teamwork and improved communications among all staff of the Section;
•Takes the lead in the preparation of the mission's IST budget; coordinates the generation of reports to the relevant UNHQ finance and budget review bodies as required;
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear; negotiates and coordinates with relevant national authorities with respect to IST policy and related matters; ensures effective coordination with various UN agencies in order to maximise possibilities of inter-agency collaboration in the field of IST;
• Serves on various committees and review bodies within the mission as required.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Professionalism: Knowledge of Information Systems and Telecommunications Technologies for large and complex organisational environments; ability to organise and manage diverse and cross-functional groups, across geographically dispersed locations, for large-scale regional and, where applicable, inter-mission projects in conflict and post conflict areas; knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial, procurement and human resources policies and procedures; ability to provide specialized advice on a broad range of ICT issues to the Senior Management of the Mission; ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others; ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Managerial Competencies:

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of Information Systems and Telecommunications or related area is required; One (1) year experience at the managerial level is required. Experience in budget, staffing and performance management and reporting is required. Experience in contract management and outsourcing practices is required. Experience in making recommendations for innovative business improvements through the introduction of new technologies is desirable. One (1) year field experience in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organisation or non-governmental organisation – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

According to 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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.