ICT Associate, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan

• Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
• Country: Afghanistan
• City: Mazar-i-Sharif
• Follow @UNjobs

Closing date: Saturday, 15 October 2016

---

Vacancy code: VA/2016/AR/11041
Position title: ICT Associate
Department/office: Asia Region
Duty station: Mazar-I-Sharif, Afghanistan
Contract type; Local ICA Support
Contract level: LICA-6
Duration; 12 months with possibility of extension
Application period: 09-Oct-2016 to 16-Oct-2016
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Background Information - UNOPS
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners' expectations.
With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.
A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background Information - Afghanistan
With more than 20 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan office supports national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support. Based in Kabul, UNOPS Afghanistan has regional offices in most part of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law.
In 2013, UNOPS Afghanistan was transformed into an operational hub and now covers Pakistan and Iran. We are strategically positioned to support important regional interventions necessary for transportation networks, security, trade and economy in the region.
Background Information - Job-specific
The UNOPS Afghanistan Operations Hub (AFOH) under the UNOPS Asia Region Office (AR) has been established to support, develop and oversee UNOPS' portfolio of programmes and projects in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to ensure that synergies between programmes and projects are effectively developed. AFOH plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.
UNOPS strategy for Afghanistan is aimed at providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan though the delivery of projects and services in line with the government's own priorities. UNOPS Afghanistan has been established as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS Afghanistan is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads and schools) development, capacity building to various ministries, and environmental protection, among others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) launched the National Rural Access Programme (NRAP) in 2002 to promote equitable economic growth by providing year- round access to basic services and facilities in rural Afghanistan. In order to supplement this programme, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) started financing the Rural Access Improvement Project (RAIP) in the four northern provinces of Samangan, Balkh, Jawzjan and Sari Pul with the objective to contribute to poverty reduction in rural areas, bridge regional disparities, and support equitable growth. The project has been implemented by UNOPS in association with the four provincial authorities.
The Government of Afghanistan's GIRoA's strategy is consistent with the Swedish International Development Cooperation, Sida's objectives which aim to create opportunities for people living in poverty and under oppression to improve their living conditions (particularly women, girls and young men) and to live to enjoy better living conditions in a peaceful, democratic and lawful societies. RAIP has been facilitating achievement of these goals since its initiation.
The Phase 1 of Rural Access Improvement Project (RAIP) was initiated in December 2007 and was completed in December 2010. The Phase 2 started in February 2010 and ended in December 2013. Phase 3 started in April 2013 and will end on 31th October 2016. Following the successful completion of the third phase (RAIP III), the fourth phase (RAIP IV) is planned to start from November 2016 for the duration of four years.
Functional Responsibilities
The ICT Associate will support RAIP-IV in having trouble free ICT services. The specific responsibilities include

• Full compliance of ICT activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Participation in the development of ICT standards and strategies.
• Maintenance of inventory of all computer, telecommunication equipment, I/O devices and software existent in the office ensuring compliance with registration and upgrades.
• Liaise with the service provider and ensure that equipment are fixed properly and Internet connections provided uninterrupted.
• Provide each end user with all support required.
• Maintain Internet connectivity brand width as was agreed with the service provider.
• Install licensed software application provided by IT section Kabul.
• Maintain and upkeep virus protections up to date.
• Maintain problems tracking database, classify the problems by categories (hardware and software).
• Prioritize them by low, medium, and high. Evaluate the problems and give suggested solution.
• Recommend network enhancements and upgrades, indicate any relevant modifications required.
• Maintain and provide operation support for system applications, analyze and implement system changes and upgrades.
• Setup of LAN
• Selection and installation of softwares;
• Antivirus solutions;
• Selection of computer hard wares and maintenance of hard and soft wares;
• Promptness of the service
• Monitoring of users;
• Database building of problems and solutions applied; and
• Capacity building of staff.
• Keep track of IT equipment assigned to the staff. Other duties as may be required by the Project
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Competencies

• Client service orientation
• Creativity in ICT troubleshooting
• Good knowledge in installation of computers (hardware and software)
• Ability to cooperate and coordinate with others
• Commitment to continuous learning and technological awareness
• Demonstrated experience in the usage of hardware and software pertinent to network, information technology, platform, architectures and systems
• High degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities
• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including ability to present technical issues/positions and reports
• Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment
• Self-motivated, versatile and adaptable to different cultures and people
• Strong organizational skills, and an ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules;
• Remains calm, in control even under pressure
• Meets timeline for delivery of products and services to clients
• Ability to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Secondary education required, Diploma or University Degree, preferably in IT related field.
• 6 years of progressively responsible, job related experience in working in the field of information technology systems, preferably in an international environment,
• Experience working on UN agencies is highly desirable.
• Working experience in Northern Afghanistan is an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required.

Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Local ICA Support
Contract level: LICA-6
Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension
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
Additional Considerations

• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.