Solution Designer, Finance and Assets

Background information – ITG

The UNOPS Information Technology Group (ITG) unit is focused on innovation and harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver solutions to UNOPS that truly address business needs.

Working with UNOPS IT Group is a unique opportunity to deliver systems to users worldwide – impacting development, solving practical problems for the UNOPS workforce, and helping people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

ITG aims to provide greater effectiveness, efficiency, and differentiation to UNOPS products and services. UNOPS IT Group is responsible for architecting, designing, delivering, and managing all UNOPS IT infrastructure and business applications. The unit includes Enterprise Architects, Business Analysts, Solutions Designers, Developers, and QA Testers from around the world based primarily in Denmark and Thailand.

Background Information – Job-specific

The UNOPS digital transformation program, which commenced in 2023, is working to define the Digital vision for UNOPS and develop appropriate and sustainable solutions that meet UNOPS needs, especially within field operations. As ITG will be a large supplier on this journey, we are looking to expand the team for the duration of the Digital Transformation Programme, 3 to 5 years.

The Solution Designer position will sit within the Finance & Assets Product team. The Finance & Assets Product team is responsible for effectively creating and managing all of the Finance IT corporate systems within UNOPS. The team regularly interacts with various business units throughout UNOPS, including the Finance Group, the Shared service team, and the finance field officers in numerous countries.

Under the supervision of the Product Manager, the Solution Designer will ensure that the business needs identified are optimally addressed with a view toward best practices within Finance business systems and increased efficiency, effectiveness, and/or differentiation for UNOPS products and services.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Product Manager, the Solution Designer, Finance and Assets will orchestrate the work in the Finance and Assets stream to ensure the timely delivery of optimal and appropriate solutions in the area of finance to address business needs and requirements.

1. Delivers functional and technical expertise in the area of Finance

• Provides a deep level of functional knowledge and support to the Solutions Design team, business analysts, and systems analysts, including the provision of advice to improve business processes and ensure optimal operation of the solution for Finance
• Makes recommendations on the best use of Unit4 Business World (UBW) functionality to accomplish strategic business objectives
• Investigated reported application problems and worked with technical specialists to test, diagnose and isolate the root cause of problems. Coordinates further diagnosis and tests as necessary and recommends workarounds where appropriate
• Ensures system documentation relating to processes is maintained, kept up to date, and meets UNOPS standards
• Provides technical advice in the development and review of design activities for system improvements, changes, enhancements, and upgrades as they relate to finance

2. Delivers solutions design and key/core application development in the area of Finance & Assets

• Facilitates and participates in systems design workshops with ITG Business Analysts and personnel from relevant business functions
• Ensures that business requirements are effectively met, and a fit-for-purpose solution is established
• Ensures that enhancements to the application are undertaken in a carefully planned manner
• Defines and manages system enhancements to the Unit4 Business World (UBW) ERP to streamline operations and usability, including execution, coordination of testing, and sign-off
• Implements new modules related to Finance
• Designs and develops new reports or changes/enhancements to reports within the system in the area of Finance
• Implements unit testing and integration testing for any functionality developed
• Provides key inputs and assistance for user acceptance testing
• Assists in the development of training materials and other guidance
• Documents all work activities adequately and in line with ITG standards, including design specifications, detailed technical specifications, etc.

3. Embeds relevant knowledge management and innovation within the Solutions Design function as well as across the organization

• Contributes to the development of internal capacity across the organization in the area of ICT
• Constantly monitors and evaluates UNOPS policies, procedures, methods, tools, and associated systems to ensure their utility, applicability, and efficacy
• Recommends new policies and procedures and introduces innovation and best practices in business operations to enhance services
• Leads/organizes training and awareness / showcasing events and designs/sets training agendas to build the capacity of stakeholders across the business

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Computer Science, or other relevant discipline, is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of experience may be accepted instead of a master’s degree.
• Secondary education with additional six years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in systems development or implementation of business systems and/or business processes in the area of Finance in a large, complex enterprise IT environment is required.
• Within these 5 years, at least 3 years of experience working with the design/development of ERP systems is required.
• Knowledge of Finance and other modules in Unit 4 Business World (UBW) ERP is highly desirable.
• Experience in providing functional and technical analysis and support of an ERP system is required.
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic skills to provide advice and improve processes or services for Finance
• Experience in the development, documentation, and maintenance of relevant standards, guidelines, and procedures
• Good knowledge working with SQL is required.
• Hands-on proficiency in the .Net framework, C#, ASP.Net, JavaScript, Visual Studio 2013 or above, and Responsive web development is desirable.
• Good knowledge and understanding of Web Service API, especially in regard to integration, is desirable.
• Knowledge of the ExtJS framework would be a distinct advantage
• Knowledge of other popular Javascript frameworks, like Angular, React, etc., would be an advantage
• Experience in Integration design and Mulesoft ESB/API would be an advantage
• Excellent communication skills and good IT understanding

Language requirements

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Contract type, level, and duration

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: IICA2
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

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 Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce comprises many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities and an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We want to ensure all candidates perform their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised post level.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract, here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.