Chief of IT Plan & Support Sec

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Chief of IT Planning and Support Section

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Chief of IT Planning and Support Section reports to the CIO and Director of the Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications (DIST).  The incumbent is responsible for leading the IT Planning and Support Section, managing all operational support units within the CIO¿s Office.  As a key member of the DIST Senior Management Team, the incumbent will guide the team in developing and communicating its strategic vision and operational plans.  The incumbent will help UNHCR to optimize its use of strategic suppliers through innovative sourcing and enhanced service delivery management.  S/he will ensure that DIST and field operations are provided with excellent back-office support, which will enable the effective and efficient delivery of IT services to UNHCR operations globally. 
This position provides oversight and management of the following units within the CIO¿s office: Resource Management Unit; Strategic Sourcing Unit (including the former Vendor Management Unit); and Asset, Configuration, and Change Management Unit (formerly the Cross-Functional Unit).

The incumbent is expected to have a solid understanding of IT and be able to communicate effectively with both technical staff, IT vendors, and with business counterparts and end-users. The incumbent will work with the appropriate counterparts in the Divisions at Headquarters (DFAM, DHR, DESS, DER, DPSM) on all matters relating to strategic planning, IT strategic sourcing, procurement and supplier management, financial oversight and reporting, human resource management, and internal communications. 

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- Coordinate the strategic planning process, the development of the multi-year strategies and annual operational plans for the Division, including preparation of the DIST¿s Annual Programme Review submission.
- Ensure, through the supervision of the Resource Management Unit, that the Division¿s financial and human resources are managed in a competent, efficient, and effective manner in fulfilment of the approved strategy, objectives, plans, and priorities; and that the Division respects and meets deadlines for planning, reporting, recruitment, and other submissions.
- Ensure, through the supervision of the Strategic Sourcing Unit, that all supplier contracts are managed in a competent, efficient, and effective manner; that procurement guidelines are scrupulously followed; that submissions to the HQ Committee on Contracts are accurate and submitted in a timely manner; and that the IT stockpile management is optimized.
- Furthermore, through the supervision of the Strategic Sourcing Unit, ensure that the Division continues to identify and introduce new technologies that will benefit to the Organization; identifies and develops new strategic partnerships; and maintains strong relationships with the existing strategic partners.
- Ensure, through the supervision of the Asset, Configuration & Change Management Unit, that these functions are firmly imbedded within all parts of DIST and beyond.
- Work with DIST Managed Service Providers to ensure that contracts continue to meet the operational needs of the Organization and that monthly invoices are received in good order and promptly cleared for payment.
- Advise the CIO and Director of DIST on further strategic improvement opportunities in the areas of IT planning, and support.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
*Information & Communications Technologies; *Business Administration; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
ITIL V3 Foundation Level;
Prince2-Project Management;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Minimum 10 years¿ experience in information technology of which 5 spent managing service delivery in a complex, global environment with both centralized and decentralized operations, systems, and services. Substantial knowledge in IT service management, supplier relationship management, vendor management and strategic sourcing to support IT operations. Demonstrated experience working with strategic suppliers in delivering services based on service level agreements, including formal reviews and evaluations of supplier performance to ensure delivery of high-quality services. Proven experience in preparing tendering documents, reviewing technical submissions, and contract negotiation leading to strategic, multi-year contracts with managed service providers. Experience working with business partners to understand how IT affects an organization and link it to business processes and operational tasks. Experience in project monitoring and control, data analysis, and presentation for executive review and decision making. Good understanding of asset life cycle management from procurement to retirement. Extensive experience in data analytics and reporting using the advanced features of MS Excel, Power BI, and associated tools. Good understanding and practical experience of ITIL Service Operations processes driven by continuous improvement. Experience leading a matrixed team structure combining business and technology stakeholders, including at the inter-agency level, to ensure collaboration and effective operations. Ability to influence, manage and lead negotiations with stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills that include effective communications (both verbal and written) at all levels to technical and non-technical audiences.
Desirable:
Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in different functional areas in a demanding working environment with short deadlines. Familiarity with UN/UNHCR rules, regulations, procedures and processes.

Functional Skills

*IT-Service Delivery Management;
*EX-Experience with external managed service provider for ICT infrast maintenance & support;
IT-IT Operations Management;
IT-Local Area Networks (LAN);
IT-IT Radio Communications (HF, UHF, VHF);
IT-IT Satellite Communications (VSAT);
IT-IT Telephony;
IT-IT Systems and Standards;
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software;
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
X003L4 - Technological Awareness Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the  March 2020Compendium is Thursday 16 April 2020 (midnight Geneva time)