Senior Information Communication Technology Associate, GS7, Lilongwe, Malawi

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you for the position of Senior ICT Associate, GS7, Lilongwe,Malawi

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. To achieve equity in such a low resource environment as Malawi it is necessary for the UNICEF Malawi to increasingly become a data driven organisation so as to use evidence in the formulation of programmes, their implementation, monitoring and the in the way we communicate about change for children.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will  work under the supervision of the ICT Specialist, L3, Senior ICT Associate is accountable for the delivery of effective and efficient technical and operational assistance to the supervisor in system’s administration, network infrastructure monitoring, support and maintenance, documentation of ICT infrastructure and network components.  Ensures that effective and efficient network operation and services, including software, hardware and operational support to ensure minimal down time and maximum productivity. Provides an effective incident resolution process and efficient end users support.  

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. High standards of network operations and services are maintained through continuous infrastructure improvement, performance monitoring and policy compliance.
2. Network availability, services and security are enhanced and maintained.
3. Updated network description, processes and procedures are kept documented to maintain internal knowledge continuity and competency.
4. Local Site Administrator and Help desk functions are performed efficiently in providing systems administration and end users support
5. Specific applications and Innovative tools are developed to support the Programme and Operations effectiveness
6. Assignments of additional duties and responsibilities are effectively performed.

Key end-results

1. High standards of network operations and services are maintained through continuous infrastructure improvement, performance monitoring and policy compliance.

• Maintains UNICEF's Malawi Country Office (MCO) Local Area Network Infrastructure: ranging from hardware installation of network components (including routers, switches, firewalls, bridges, etc.) to software upgrades and network management tools. 
• Determines causes of computer/software/network malfunctions through testing and evaluation, and resolves by additions, modifications, repair, or external support assistance.
• Advises appropriate staff members of possible causes of the problem, risks and precautions necessary to avoid additional issues.
• Monitors and ensures application/compliances of IT policies and guidelines, established processes and procedures by all end users. 
• Monitors/analyses staff performance, examines faulty areas in the IT infrastructure, resolves issues, and defines training needs, for improvement in the network operations and services.
• Monitors and analyses network statistics, vendor reports and other sources of information for network optimization, utilizing existing Enterprise Management tool sets and the specific utilities.   

1. Network availability, services and security are enhanced and maintained

• Conducts routine monitoring of the WAN to ensure its continued network services, installs routine updates to the software, performs normal corrections when necessary and alerts the supervisor if special actions must be planned or if threats to the network might exist.
• Enhances network availability and service levels by establishing routine maintenance procedures, heightening security and access rights. 

1. Updated network descriptions, processes and procedures are well documented to maintain internal knowledge continuity and competency.

• With the support of the supervisor, documents/reports network processes, procedures, software, tools and issues. Classifies and maintains the network documentation.
• Conducts the training/induction process for new staff on internal processes/procedures, network management tools and the IT Operation/Services environment.
• Compiles Frequently Ask Questions and maintains knowledge databases for eventual distribution available to users in MCO offices.
• Prepares and maintains a physical layout of network, including diagrams and network descriptions.

1. Local Site Administrator and Help desk functions are performed efficiently in providing systems administration and end users support

• Administer the office multi-user network. This involves administering user access to the network, setting up messaging client system, providing access to LAN resources (printer and shared drives and folders), and performing health checks of various hardware. Provide and configuring internet access and corporate email on all mobile devices of end users when required.
• Maintain and troubleshoot minor hardware problems in ICT equipment (computers, monitors, printers, scanner, etc. Liaise with external companies for repair and maintenance of equipment that cannot be handled in-house.
• Work as first line Help Desk staff in providing IT support and attending to end-users’ requests and problems. Configure and install UNICEF standard software on new computers and laptops on arrival. Record all incidents related to End-users service request and support in the service manager system and update it with solution provided.
• Prepare training material and provide training to end users on basic computer operations and new technology whenever introduced. Provide IT support during the training, workshop and other staff events.
• Perform backup functions for server’s data folders.

1. Specific applications and Innovative tools are developed to support the Programme and Operations effectiveness

• Identify and conduct a study for specific and innovative software applications and tools development to support the programme and operation effectiveness like database systems, real time monitoring system, dashboard tools.

1. Assignments of additional duties and responsibilities are effectively performed.

• Performs additional duties as assigned by the supervisor

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• Completion of Secondary education supplemented with formal training at university level in Computer Science, Engineering or related field with training in networking and telecommunication technology.  Additional Networking/ telecommunication related industry certification an asset.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use standard office software, tools and technologies.
• Seven years’ practical work experience in information technology, including systems administration and operations, network computing, systematic methods of trouble shooting and analytical problem solving, providing assistance to users on IT services, and use of applications and diagnostic tools. Practical experience in Global Network Problem Resolution, Infrastructure Operations, Service Operations, and practice in network operations.
• Strong capacity in software development (Relational database, dynamic web site and real time monitoring tools) will be desirable with broad exposure to substantive Windows systems work reflecting major IT developments in such areas as client/server computing and applications, database administration/engineering.

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.