ICT Senior Associate (procurement)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

●        Infrastructure

●        Procurement

●        Project Management (full service, back on track)

●        HR and Transactional Services

●        Grant Management

●        Technical and Advisory Services

UNOPS, through ECR AUMCO, is partnering with the Government of Albania and the European Union, as well as with the UN system, to facilitate the post-earthquake rehabilitation, conservation and revitalization of a large number of key cultural heritage sites, museums, and cultural hubs and to promote tourism and economic development of the sites.

On 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by its most deadly earthquake in a century. The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale and caused significant casualties and property damage, resulting in 51 deaths, over 1000 injured, and nearly 14,000 people displaced. To measure and assess the economic damage, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was conducted, estimating the total economic losses at nearly EUR 1Billion. 

The PDNA documented the destruction of public and private infrastructure. Of particular concern was the destruction of cultural heritage monuments and property, as 53 cultural heritage properties were significantly damaged by the earthquake. This project seeks to remediate the effect of the earthquake on Albania’s cultural heritage through the rehabilitation of monuments, as well as contribute to Albania’s socio-economic recovery through the construction and upgrade of these sites. It will be important also to support improvements in the capacity of institutions responsible for the management of these cultural monuments and sites to better accommodate tourism. A final outcome of the project is the effective communication of project results to the wider public and developing and implementing an advocacy platform resulting in better recognition of the important role of culture in the social and economic well-being of Albanian citizens.

Under the overall guidance of the Support Service manager the ICT Associate is responsible for providing support to all the ICT procurement and implementation projects and maintaining the programme’s ICT infrastructure. Specific duties include, but not limited to following responsibilities within 2 separate groups of requirements:

In terms of the proper implementation of aspects of equipping cultural institutions with equipment for creation of digital information and content and in view of equipping a range of cultural heritage assets in a way of installing appropriate equipment for digital and multimedia purposes, the candidate is required to:

●      Provide support in  drafting and finalizing technical specifications of the hardware and software

●      In close collaboration with the supervisor and procurement, ICT associate shall develop and implement appropriate IT procurement product specifications, tender documents, technical evaluation criteria and participate in the technical evaluation of tenders as a technical expert

●      Following and evaluating emerging technologies, staying up-to-date with trends; research best

practices, and market reports in the IT infrastructure field, evaluate and recommend potential supply sources, alternate solutions and update the procurement program where necessary

●      Conduct of market research and other processes, as relevant and required

●      Analyze the quality of goods and/or services delivered in relation to the needs of the operation/stakeholder and established global best practice quality standards

●      Assist with cost estimations and reasonableness of costs for the required goods/services

●      Prepare and review technical specifications and/or terms of references

●      Review end-user requirements against work package descriptions, and recommend alternative ICT solutions if required including recommendation on maintenance of equipment for end users

●      Provide oversight and assist with delivery and installation of ICT and ICT-related equipment to end-users
2. Maintenance of UNOPS office equipment and systems

In terms of the proper functioning of the office including computers, systems digital data storage and similar, the candidate is required to:

●        Implement and maintain UNOPS Albania programme’s IT systems and equipment, including internet connectivity

●        Troubleshoot software applications issues and monitor network problems, including proposal of tools and methods for improving the desktop/laptop and other mobile computer hardware working environment

●        In consultation with UNOPS ICT associates in other offices, recommend network enhancements and upgrades, indicate any relevant modifications required

●        Assist in maintenance and upkeep of virus protection software for all network servers

●        Respond to programme team’s needs and questions regarding network access

●        Back-up and restoration procedures for local drives

●        Maintenance of back-up data, maintenance of measures in place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures. Setup up and Maintenance of video conference and telephony operations.

●        Organizes off-site storage of back-ups as required

●        Provide operation support for system applications

●        Ensure management awareness of problems that are complex or serious in nature or may otherwise impact operational capacity.

●        Assist in preparation and maintenance of a comprehensive inventory of all computer, equipment, I/O devices and software existent in the office;

●        Provide ICT support to key events ie training/workshops and meetings, ensuring efficient and effective data services and audio/video conferencing services;

●        Provision of fast, friendly and effective user support

●        Perform other duties as may be assigned.

●      Ensure accurate and timely reporting of progress and issues

●      Prepare and submit to the Support Service manager as a minimum monthly (or as requested) report within 5 days of month-end, summarizing progress, quality control issues, resourcing and scheduling issues, and any other relevant pertinent facts as required.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the ICT associate directly impacts the successful delivery of the project on time, budget and quality above the expectations of all stakeholders.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education:

●      High School is diploma is the minimum requirement for this role

●      Bachelor’s degree in Information technology, Computer science, Electronic engineering or other STEM education is preferred and can substitute 4 years of the required experience

●      A Master’s Degree in a relevant field is an asset.

●      Minimum 7 years of responsible technical experience in information technology, PC hardware technology, LAN, WAN and Desktop operating systems, Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, graphics software, electronic mail systems, web development and related tools and techniques and other ICT services

●      General experience in office and administration procedures related to procurement a significant asset.

●      Demonstrated experience in ICT technical specification drafting and advise

●      Previous experience with UNOPS or a UN Agency is an advantage

Language requirements

●      Proficiency in written and spoken English is required

●      Fluency in Albanian is required

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement Contract level: ICSC-07 / LICA-07
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Part time, the incumbent will be required to work 50% which is equivalent to 2.5 days a week


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.