Senior Solution Architect and Development Manager

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATIONS DEADLINE\: Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.

 

 

1. Organizational Setting

    

   The post is located in the Information and Communication Technology Department (ICTD) of the Administration and Management Sector.

    

   The ICT Department is responsible for the transformation of the Organization's information and communication technology systems and structures, with a focus on service excellence, quality, efficiency and integration. The department is in charge of Enterprise Architecture, ICT Program Management, and Infrastructure Management including the ongoing adoption of cloud technologies.

   
   The Solutions Design and Delivery Section has centralized ownership of multiple and high visibility and impact software applications for several key programs in WIPO, including WIPO GREEN, WIPO Re\:SEARCH, WIPO Alert and ABC, and responsibility for the continuous improvement of related IT platforms and systems, critical to the delivery of services to constituents. In addition, the Section will be responsible for operations activities that facilitate the objectives behind the IP Portal.

    

    

2. Purpose Statement

    

   As Head of Section, the incumbent is responsible for the overall management of a diverse portfolio of complex ICT projects and business applications, providing a supplier role to the owners of business applications and ensuring operational efficiency, compliance, risk mitigation and the achievement of business area results.  The incumbent manages the Section’s resources, including on-site staff and a significant number of near-shore and off-site external resources, budgets, risks and project standards issues for the successful delivery of the project portfolio.

    

    

3. Reporting Lines

    

   The incumbent reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

    

    

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Provide technical leadership and oversee the planning, design, implementation and support of a wide range of varied and complex business software systems throughout their project life cycle, including testing, integration, security, scalability and maintenance operations distributed between WIPO headquarters and multiple offshore development centers.

 

b.   As Senior Supplier accountable for the technical integrity of all projects, ensure viability of approach, optimal quality and realistic costing for design and development, availability of resources and swift resolution of conflicts in terms of supply prioritization and supplier requirements.

 

c.   Lead, plan and control the work of the Section ensuring the effective management, appropriate sourcing and efficient use of all financial, human, and other resources. Submit planning and budget proposals and activities in conformity with defined outcomes and objectives. Produce regular management reports on the activities of the Section. Serve as contract manager and manage the relationship with external service providers. Supervise, evaluate and monitor individual and team operational performance levels. Ensure effective knowledge transfer strategies are in place.

 

d.   Based on best practice development principles such as DevSecOps, and a cloud first policy, design and implement strategies for development, support and maintenance of the WIPO systems, taking into account the extensive coordination required and the diverse needs of users.

 

e.   Coordinate and project manage simultaneous high-profile information systems projects, including those with global impact, affecting business processes internally and externally. Resolve competing client demands for service. Conduct feasibility studies to analyze relationships between various existing systems.

 

f.    Develop and implement strategies for systematic change management, involving presentation of the business case to stakeholders and monitoring and managing resistance, dependencies and risks.

 

g.   Keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and methodologies, anticipate and analyze technological trends and assess their impact for delivering and supporting complex software applications. Put forward recommendations and contribute to the Department’s integration activities and projects.  Contribute to and provide technical expertise on the development, evaluation and measurement of the Information Technology strategy at sectoral and organizational levels in cooperation with senior management.

 

h.   Ensure collaborative and active stakeholder engagement. Manage relationships between IT and business areas in major functional areas with multiple lines of service with a view to understanding and anticipating business and IT needs, establishing clear service expectations and providing original technical and cost-effective IT solutions.

 

i.    Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree, in computer science, information science or other closely related field. An advanced degree in any other field or a first-level university degree, preferably in computer or information science, plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience required below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree in the field of Information Technology.

 

Education

Desirable

Project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).

 

Experience

Essential

At least 10 years of experience in the provision of IT services, including at least five years of working with the development and deployment of major IT systems.

Significant experience in managing multinational projects and teams, including staff and external contractors, to deliver complex software products.

Significant experience in project management.

Experience or training in at least three of the following\:  ITIL or another service management framework, Agile, CMMI, TOGAF, COBIT, business continuity practices and/or ISO Quality Management Standards.

 

Experience

Desirable

Experience with DevSecOps, AWS and CI/CD is highly desirable.

Experience in public cloud technologies.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

 

Language

Desirable

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Demonstrated soft skills in critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and adaptability.
Excellent managerial and leadership skills, especially in leading diverse teams of technical staff.

 

Demonstrated understanding of public cloud technologies.

Ability to cultivate innovation and manage change. Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and accountability in delivering results.

Ability to communicate on technical issues with a diverse audience. Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Strong knowledge of modern information technologies such as relational database management systems, Java, JSP, J2EE, Angular, Perl, Javascript, Ajax, XML and advanced HTML techniques and concepts.

Strong knowledge of software engineering methodologies.

 

 

 

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

    

    

 

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

 

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the March 2020 rate of 78.2%

 

P5
Annual salary	$88,162
Post adjustment	$68,943
Total Salary	$157,105
Currency USD

 

 

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

 

Additional Information

 

Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

 

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

 

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

 

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

 

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

 

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

 

Additional background checks may be required.