Deputy Director (Solution Centre and Support), Information and Communication Technology (ICTD), D-1 Valencia, Spain

Under the general guidance of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this post leads and drives the design, development, delivery and support of information technology solutions (products, projects, tools and application environments) to translate the business requirements managed through the business relationship management cluster into new, enhanced or extended solutions and services. This post oversees, leads and guides the sub-teams supporting the ERP (Vision) and internal capabilities systems, field programme monitoring and programme solutions, business intelligence reporting, data analytics and insights, and partnership focused digital tools and platforms, ensuring a sustainable ‘steady state’ and data management of existing core application systems and their underpinning technologies.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, dedication.

Under the general guidance of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this post leads and drives the design, development, delivery and support of information technology solutions (products, projects, tools and application environments) to translate the business requirements managed through the business relationship management cluster into new, enhanced or extended solutions and services. This post oversees, leads and guides the sub-teams supporting the ERP (Vision) and internal capabilities systems, field programme monitoring and programme solutions, business intelligence reporting, data analytics and insights, and partnership focused digital tools and platforms, ensuring a sustainable ‘steady state’ and data management of existing core application systems and their underpinning technologies.

How can you make a difference?

The Deputy Director’s key functional accountabilities include:

• Leadership and coordination of IT business applications development
  • Provide leadership in the design of optimized business applications solutions and related services that are aligned with the business needs; incorporating conceptual analysis, design, development, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement of UNICEF’s major systems that support UNICEF operations and programs and cover all essential areas which include: enterprise resource planning; enterprise content; documents and records management; collaboration and social media technology solutions; business intelligence/performance management; partnership engagement and management; customer relationship management systems; surveying and data  gathering and other mobile device based solutions specific to local/global audiences; geospatial, mapping and presence, eLearning in organizational and external capacity building; and intrinsically enable efficiencies through workflow automation and process simplification.
  • Provide leadership and technical direction for establishing and positioning fitting system development life cycles management policies, procedures for following technical standards, and the identification and selection of supporting tools. Sets the frameworks for the development methodology based on industry best practices, allowing both agile/dynamic settings, and situations that mandate rigid quality management approaches. Ensures that the applicable methodology is followed by development teams. Responsible for cost effective solution development, flexibility, maintainability and resilience of applications and services that support UNICEF business and programmatic systems. Partners with internal ICT stakeholders for effective and efficient operating model implementation
  • Guide and direct the definition, development  and deployment of transformational IT capabilities while maintaining defined service levels; executing on the continuous improvement of the existing software applications and architecture and consistently ensure quality deliverables; strategic guidance on application solutions, architectures, integration strategies, governance, quality assurance and business support processes; provide technical leadership and guidance on software development tools, technology and application development methodologies; engage with  the business and technology interplay to drive the continuous evolution from Waterfall into Agile methodologies. Develop capabilities in frontier technology for applied solutions and scaling for programme results including ethical use of information (security, privacy) and user centered design of applications. Play the lead role in enterprise applications architecture and data strategy.

• IT applications strategy formulation and implementation for results
  • Shape thinking on how technology solutions can support UNICEF strategic goals and identify cutting edge technologies that will support and improve programme implementation monitoring and solutions, as well as operations efficiency. Work with organizational business groups to define strategy for organizational Business Intelligence, Workforce Automation, Customer Relationship Management, and Digital & Mobile technologies, and the provision of relevant solutions. Provides – to systems development managers, organizational business relationship groups and other concerned with automation issues – a variety of advisory services and guidance on the ICT for development, modern software development tools, pre-packaged business and programmatic cloud solutions and options. Represent the CIO in UN interagency frameworks and forums related to ERP and other business information systems.
  • Build a roadmap for applications to support the ICT strategy for the delivery of increased organizational capabilities, improved IT operational stability, effectiveness and efficiency. Develop the technology plan in support of key business objectives and with consideration of relevant industry trends; influence and implement change strategies that improve end to end execution of IT investment projects to reduce cost and improve ICT delivery. Provide technology vision and leadership and cultivate a culture of empowerment and accountability. Adapt strategies and tactics in order to get essential processes and practices in place, make improvements to achieve organizational success.

• Technology solutions for programme support
  • Plan and lead teams for solution delivery and support through the Solutions Life Cycle, in close collaboration with functional business groups across Headquarters, Regional Offices and Field Offices. Ensure that teams have appropriate products and technical specifications, direction and resources to deliver projects on an aggressive, but achievable timelines. Lead and coordinate the delivery of applications development projects through the application of comprehensive SLDC processes. Lead the building of integrated solutions on a common solution foundation, including management of interdependencies with other information technology solutions to create a world-class end-user experience.
  • Lead the consultation and collaboration with business units and develop effective partnerships with private and public institutions on emerging technologies and tools than can be applied to UNICEF and provide technology-enabled solutions that contribute to the achievement of the UNICEF programme goals and objectives. Collaborate and co-ordinates with GSSC to leverage Shared Service support to ensure end to end delivery of endorsed solutions that maximize productivity.

• Management, oversight and support
  • Build and maintain vendor partnerships. Lead the negotiation for applications support contracts; identify efficient and effective software solutions for new applications. Interact with vendors and vendor technical support for systems maintenance and enhancement. Ensure third level support for applications, and the effective transition of applications to production in close collaboration with the Platform and Service Delivery group, and other ICT groups as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University Degree in Computer Sciences, Information Systems, Business Administration or other relevant field. (Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field with seventeen years of relevant experience in managerial roles can be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.)
• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in an international development context as elaborated below: 
  • Senior level hands-on experience with program/project management and ICT-enabled solutions
  • Extensive experience with solution architecture, business process analysis and design, and planning associated with strategy and program execution
  • Extensive experience with Web/mobile solutions, data management and business intelligence solutions; work force automation and customer relationship management solutions
  • Experience in managing major custom or packaged implementation projects with experience in delivering to a large or geographically dispersed user base, Internet Solution experience preferred.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an important asset.

Person Profile

• Solid understanding of technology concepts related to application/database design, application security, and application architecture principles
• Capacity to drive change across the organization (i.e. good manager in the division, ability to reach out and partner, understanding of working in decentralized organizational culture, work effectively with other Divisions, Country and Regional Offices).
• Ability to build and foster working relations with key stakeholders in the organization - including HQ Divisions, Regional and Country Offices and National Committees - to leverage and maximize the impact of organizational assets to promote children's issues on the global agenda
• Ability to seize accountability, manage and prioritize multiple projects and resources concurrently, developing budgets and managing forecasts for IT investments
• Clear understanding of software development lifecycle and application support; working knowledge of networking and systems design
• Familiarity with system development methodologies (preference for software product engineering and management
• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements with customer focus.
• Ability to keep current with industry trends and cultivate Innovation in ICT

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.