CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

The Chief Digital Officer reports to the Chief Information Officer and Director Information Management and Technology Department (CIO & DIMT), at HQ Amman.

Responsibilities

- Acts as the Programme Manager for the implementation of the DTS. In this capacity, they will be responsible for leading the implementation of the DTS, including developing and implementing an agile and iterative digital transformation workplan across the entire Agency. This will include supporting the design of initiatives pertaining to digital transformation, including progress monitoring and consolidated reporting of results.

- The Chief Digital Officer (CDO) will act as the Secretariat to the DTS Steering Committee which is an advisory group reporting to the UNRWA Commissioner General and is responsible for making directional decisions pertaining to the Agency’s digital transformation.

- Oversees the implementation of DTS projects, in close coordination with all the business units. Setting up the DTS governance processes and ensure the integration of DTS into the Agency’s strategic planning process.

- Proposes and defines Digital policies and standards in the areas of Information Management and Technology (IMT) as well as data & information management and protection standards.

- Develops a long-term strategy and leads the data and analytics practice ensuring synergies with the UN Data Strategy.

- Represents UNRWA in relevant forums and events related to digital transformation and digital technologies to raise the profile of the Agency and support for its work.

- In close cooperation with Programmes, Departments and Field Offices, advance UNRWA’s donor engagement, partnerships, and resource mobilization for the implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS).

- Liaises with digital and ICT experts in the broader UN family and establish public-private partnerships with external actors, to build coordinated efforts towards UNRWA’s digital transformation.

- Develops and implements a comprehensive change management programme in the area of IMT and data intended to strengthen collaboration and efficiency at the Agency level.

- Identifies opportunities for synergies and value realization across value streams in Information Management and Technology developments across the Agency to realize cost savings and increase efficiencies.

- Provides support to the Enterprise Risk Management practice, to identify and address risks to the Agency in the achievement of the DTS.

- Performs gap analysis, develops plans to address the identified gaps and oversees its execution.

- Introduces Agile practices to deliver tangible digital solutions that will positively impact the experience of Palestine Refugees, Member States, Donors, and staff.

- Drives the cross-Agency process changes, to enhance efficiency and visibility.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

- Delivering Results
- Managing Complexity and Change
- Persuading and Influencing
- Planning and Organizing
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts
- Strong business acumen with ability to translate business needs into technologies;
- Ability to drive organizational change.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in computer science, business administration or related disciplines.

Work Experience

At least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience with proven track-record in leading digital transformation strategies/projects is required.

At least four years of relevant work experience in a supervisory capacity, managing large teams or complex projects at international level with the UN, private sector, governmental or international organizations is required.

Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport, or a national identity number is required.

Demonstrated experience in business process management, strategic planning, leadership combined with excellent skills in project and program management is required.

Understanding of emerging technologies, information management methodologies, frameworks, policies, and challenges is required.

Experience in undertaking change management and culture change activities to support an organization’s transformation is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.

The incumbent may be required to work beyond normal working hours and will be required to travel within the areas of operation in the Middle East.

Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system Inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.

Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.