ICT Admin Focal Point

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Consultancy opportunities with the World Food Programme based in its Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Are you an experienced ICT System Administrator Project Manager with (i) strong technical skills in developing and maintaining operational-critical digital humanitarian systems, (ii) advanced technical capacities in Project Management (including assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring of projects? Do you have field Emergency or Preparedness Humanitarian experience in the field of Supply Chain or Logistics or are interested to expand your working experience in the field of humanitarian aid? If yes, this opportunity is for you!

We are looking for candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. We select our candidates on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

Currently, we are seeking to identify possible candidates to join our team.

 ABOUT GLOBAL LOGISTICS CLUSTER

The Global Logistics Cluster (GLC) is part of the humanitarian architecture of the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC), together with other 10 global clusters. It is led by WFP and it is about enhancing cooperation and partnerships in the Logistics sector. The GLC works directly with its partners and stakeholders to coordinate the Logistics response during a humanitarian crisis. Its partners and stakeholders include international NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, other UN organizations, Governments, academia and Donors. The GLC was formally endorsed by the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on the 15 December 2010.

The Global Logistics Cluster Support Team (GLCST) contributes to the implementation of the IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at country level in line with the WFP Executive Director Directive on "WFP Leadership in IASC Clusters". The Cluster approach is about enhancing cooperation and partnerships in the logistics sector. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLUSTER APPROACH AT GLOBAL LEVEL

The objective of the Global Logistics Cluster is to provide directed operational, technical, and policy support to country clusters, including that of maintaining active rosters of pre-qualified staff and other standing capabilities. This role includes promoting inter-agency preparedness for, and response to, humanitarian emergencies, guiding standards and policy formation and strengthening procedures and capacities for inter-agency planning and operational response. This involves systems and personnel development, support for planning and assessment, the development of normative guidance, contributing to and aligning activities with the Strategic Plan developed by the HCTs as well as sourcing and/or stockpiling of resources ready for rapid deployment. The Logistics Cluster partners and stakeholders include international NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, other UN organizations, Governments, academia, private sector and Donors.

JOB PURPOSE

As a member of the Global Logistics Cluster Support Team (and together with the Global Cluster Lead Agency), contribute to the implementation of the GLC Work-plan and Logistics Cluster Strategy Implementation Plan 2022 to ensure that Logistics Cluster operations at field level meet the expectations of partners and donors for logistics and preparedness support through coordination, information management, and service provision. Further, contribute to GLC activities at global level such as supporting the Logistics Cluster Community of Partners, partnership networks, information provision, trainings, and preparedness.

The Logistics Cluster possesses a range of tools for information sharing, knowledge management, CRM,  field operations and preparedness support, online and blended training facilitation, data collection and user feedback, and commas and advocacy tools. These require constant monitoring, front- and backend maintenance and further development to ensure system availability, data safety and system integrity, compliance with WFP corporate IT requirements and humanitarian standards on ICT tools, system interoperability, and to meet state-of-the art technology requirements, standards and best practices.

The ICT Admin Focal Point for the Logistics Cluster oversees the technological maintenance and further development (through direct contribution or coordinating internal and external development resources) of Logistics Cluster IT tools and coordinates with WFP Technology Division (TEC) and Supply Chain Research and Development (SCOD) ensuring the tools comply with WFP IT security standards and technological requirements. Besides interfacing with TEC, the IT Focal Point is also required to provide, as needed, subject matter advice and support on ICT related requests within GLC and to Logistics Cluster projects and field operations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure maximum availability of operation-critical GLC tools to humanitarian community through direct backend maintenance and troubleshooting support, coordination with TEC, and oversight of tool-maintenance contractors. Establish and oversee 24/7 monitoring and troubleshooting mechanisms.
• Act as WFP "Technology Lead" focal point for GLC, to ensure all aspects of design and implementation of software development and maintenance for all existing and future GLC IT solutions are fully compliant with WFP corporate standards, processes, documentation and guidelines on IT development and solutions;
• Act as technology interlocutor between GLC and the Logistics Cluster Partner community, WFP TEC Business Engagement Managers (BEM), SCOD and other related units to advise GLC on translating needs identification into technical specifications and identifying appropriate corporate solutions, or assist in developing new IT solution business cases where needed;
• Provide technical advisory to GLC on ICT system-related matters and regularly update GLC management and IT product managers on new developments from TEC, SCOD, INK and other IT innovation;
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of WFP corporate and humanitarian ICT policies and standards and keep GLC regularly updated;
• Ensure that all GLC IT solutions and their environment are designed, developed, implemented, secured, tested and backed-up within the required quality requirements;
• Ensure that all GLC IT solutions are fully documented, their source code hosted on WFP corporate GIT environments, maintained for continuous operation and data security, and that updated user manuals and instructions are available to users; where needed, support training team in the development of user trainings;
• In close collaboration with each respective GLC IT tool project manager, guide the technical implementation and evolution of the respective solution;
• Where needed, act as product manager for a dedicated IT solution, comprising product definition, business case, TCO, improvement canvas, product roadmap, product backlog, use case definitions, epics, features and user stories, performance framework, solution compliance, agile project management support; conduct project-management duties as required; 

STANDARD MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Advanced university degree in Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent technical degree.

Experience

You have at least eight (8) years of working experience in ICT software development and backend administration, deploying in enterprise production environments. Professional experience in an international humanitarian context, in particular field emergencies, is a distinct advantage. Working experience with WFP corporate ICT systems is a strong asset. 

Language 

• Business Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Fluency in an additional UN language, preferrable French or Spanish, is a plus.

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• In-depth knowledge and proficiency with mainstream software design & development technologies and methodologies, developing high-quality IT solutions, and Agile Scrum. Knowledge of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD);
• Knowledge of user authentication and authorization between multiple systems, servers, and environments; Knowledge of software optimization (especially for low-bandwidth high-latency environments); Understanding of accessibility, security compliance, design principles behind a scalable IT solution, and the differences between delivery platforms, such as mobile vs desktop, and optimizing output to match the specific platform;
• Understanding of the differences between delivery platforms, such as mobile vs desktop, and optimizing output to match the specific platform; Ability to integrate multiple data sources and databases into one system, and create database schemas that represent and support business processes. Profound project management skills, including Agile/SCRUM. Profound backend knowledge on MS Word, Excel, Access including PowerQuery and VBA.
• Technological skills: Profound technical skills in software development and backend maintenance on CMS (Drupal 7&8, confluence), lyris, AWS environment, REST APIs, O365 environment (in particular SharePoint, teams, MS Power Automate, Exchange), database design and management (SQL, PostgreSQL), web development (HTML, JS, REACT, REACT native, reactive frameworks, UXUI), data architecture and processing (python, R, tableau, powerBI), mobile app development. GIS knowledge (ArcGIS, AGOL, ArcGIS server) is a plus.
• Ability to think creatively, strategically, and identify and resolve problems; Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communications and presentation skills; high attention to detail; good research and analytical skills; ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure as part of a team; good communication skills; ability to work independently while asking questions and seeking support in a fast-paced work environment. Willingness to work in challenging environments / field locations.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP:

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Application deadline: 22 August 2022 (midnight Rome time)

Please note

1. Your CV must be submitted in English
2. You must submit a Cover letter in English with your application

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.