Business Analyst/Information Systems Management

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with offices in 180 countries. Globally the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion each year.  

The UNDP office in Skopje employs a team of 65 and currently manages a portfolio of projects in environmental protection, good governance and social inclusion worth USD 17 million per year.

UNDP MK is currently seeking a Business Analyst/Information Systems Specialist to support the technical capacity of the above-mentioned project, and effectively and timely implement the project and deliver planned results.
 
Building on the country’s commitment to achieve sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and its ammunition, the project is a part of a wider initiative which adopts a holistic, systematic approach to solving most pertinent issues of improving small arms and light weapons (SALW)-related practices of the national authorities and create more violence-resilient communities through series of closely-coordinated activities.

The project is focusing on one of the seven goals (Goal 2 - By 2024, ensure that arms control policies and practices in the Western Balkans are evidence based and intelligence led) of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misused and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in the Western Balkans which is a testimony of the consensus reached among all stakeholders in the region about the current challenges, the overall targets to be reached, and timeline of actions to be taken in the area of arms control. By attaining to this goal, the project aims at improving and institutionalising data collection, analysis and dissemination of information on SALW among national institutions through several closely coordinated activities. The two components of the project are:

•    Improved weapons registration in accordance with Amended EU firearms Directive 2017 and Law on Weapons
•    Improved and harmonized Information Management System (IMS) of the MIA

The incumbent will work under direct supervision of the Project Manager and close coordination and guidance of the Head of the Democratic Governance Unit. He/she will work in close collaboration with Country Office Operations Unit staff and be responsible for the satisfactory achievement of the entrusted functions and tasks, as outlined below.


Objective of the assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to provide expert support of a Business Analyst/IS Specialist in coordinating and managing the project activities in relation to changes to the organisational processes and development of the information management system of the MIA.
 

The incumbent’s duties are outlined below and will be fulfilled in line with the prevailing UNDP rules and procedures as well as with due compliance with the UNDP internal control framework.

Summary of key functions

1. Identifing requirements across business units of MIA and coordinate identification of substandard systems processes through evaluation of real-time information;
2. Assisting the Project Manager and the team in managing the translation of business requirements into functional and technical specifications;
3. Providing input to and respond to complex IMS information requests and inquiries and provide general specialist support to project staff, thus ensuring effective flow of related information between project team and stakeholders.

1.    Expected results:   Identify requirements across business units of MIA and coordinate identification of substandard systems processes through evaluation of real-time information

• Assessing current state of organizational and system design and processes developing/utilizing a standard methodology and work plan;
• Working closely with the project stakeholders and team of experts to identify substandard organizational and system processes;
• Assisting consultants in gaining information regarding organizaitonal and system processes through evaluaton of real-time information;
• Assisting consultants in re-engineering of business processes and development of functional design specifications;
• Maintaining issues register;
• Monitoring project progress on daily basis, particularly as it relates to business process and system requirements;
• Working closely with project team to update all project related documentation to ensure effective information flow and recording.

2.    Expected results:   Assist the Project Manager and the team in managing the translation of business requirements into functional and technical specifications

• Working closely with the Project Manager and the project team to translate business requirements into functional and technical specifications;
• Providing assistance the project team on daily basis on all implmentation activities, especially as they relate to specific technical and systems expertise;
• Communicating all project related issues regularly and without delay;
• Supporting the project quality assurance in the areas of business processes and IMS and perform and comunicate the quality assurance of the work provided by the consultants and consulting firms;
• Helping in development training plans and materials and coordinate the training workshops for the MIA staff;

3.    Provide input to and respond to complex IMS information requests and inquiries and provide general specialist support to project staff, ensuring effective flow of related information between project team and stakeholders

• Analysing complex IMS information requests and inquiries, suggeting solutions where appropriate;
• Drafting correspondences, briefing notes, graphic, workflow and statistical summaries, as required;
• Effectively communicating relevant project information to project stakeholders, senior management and project team;
• Establishing and maininging strong working relationships with project team, MOI representatives, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Ensuring gender and vulnerability mainstreaming within the project;
• Working to incroporate  gender equality and needs of vunderable groups effectively, and ensure these are mainsteamed througout project activitities.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS

• Project activities performed in line with UNDP corporate principles;
• Identification and quality drafting of business and system processes and related requirements;
• Proactive identification, reporting and proposal of solutions to business process and IS related issues and challenges;
• Effective communication and collaboration with the project team and all project stakeholders.

Values

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Core Competences
 

Delivery – ability to get things done

• Makes new ideas work
• Critically assesses value and relevance of existing thinking and policy
• Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done
• Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions
• Strives to improve team reputation with clients
• Expands capacity of team to deliver on time and on target
• Accountable for project implementation and/or team deliverables

Innovation – ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Adapts deliverables to meet client needs
• Interprets policy within context and applies with judgment
• Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions
• Embraces new methods
• Continually seeks improvement  
• Collaborates to improve methods and delivery

Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Advocates, able to change mind of self, peers and partners
• Persuades others to embrace new ideas, even when controversial
• Empathizes with client perspectives and needs
• Prepares and presents authoritative advice
• Represents team in formal settings
• Expands expertise of team through sharing expertise

Client Orientation

• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Demonstrates an understanding of client/partner/donor perspective in terms of reporting requirements.

Job knowledge and technical experience

• Able to work under pressure and deliver results under tight deadlines;
• Has sound knowledge of business analysis tools and utilizes these regularly in work and assignments;
• Has good knowledge of software design and maintenance;
• Has sound knowledge of Access/SQL;
• Has reasonable knowledge of project area (police organisational development/information systems/governance) and keeps abreast with new developments in areas of professional discipline and seeks to develop herself/himself professionally;
• Reasonable knowledge of the policies and institutional frameworks relevant to governance, law enforcement and organisational development;
• Has experience with application of innovative methods and tools;
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to local politics and culture as well as community issues.

Education

• University Degree in Information Systems and Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration or other related filed.
• Master’s degree is a strong asset.

Experience

• At least 4 years (2 years for candidates with master’s degree) of relevant professional experience in mapping business processes and/or collecting business requirements and translating them into technical requirements;
• Excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills;
• Experience in projects with a focus on democratic governance and organisational reform and creation of capacity development instruments, preferably in the area of police development or law enforcement and/or security sector reform (preferred);
• Demonstrated experience in liaising and co-operating with government officials, municipal authorities, academic institutions, NGOs and the private sector;

Languages

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in English and Macedonian are required. Knowledge of Albanian language and/or languages of other communities shall be considered an asset.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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