Systems Development Specialist

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNV’s Management Services (MS) hold the responsibility for the strategic planning, managerial leadership, oversight, and quality control of an integrated platform of operational services ensuring timely, effective and efficient delivery according to corporate performance standards and in compliance with the UN Regulations and Rules and UNDP´s accountability framework.

Within MS, The Information And Communications Technology Section (ICTS) Is Responsible For Developing And Operating The Corporate Technology Platforms And Related Services That Enables UNV`s Vision. The ICTS Team Is Helping Drive UNV’s Digital Transformation Efforts, Enabling And Leveraging Technology To Address Complex Global Challenges And Meet Long-term Global Sustainable Development Goals Across Seven Key Pillars:

• Increased collaboration and engagement
• Digital workspaces and tools available to all
• An enhanced cybersecure environment
• Strengthened data driven decision making.
• Global infrastructure and applications

The Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS) is responsible for the running operations of all ICT on-premises and cloud datacenters, cloud platforms and services, business applications, corporate websites, helpdesk, videoconferences, security services, hardware, software, network, and telecommunications services. This includes application system analysis, design, development and maintenance, local and global telecommunication networks, commercial hardware and software installation and operation (at both desktop and network levels), internet, and email. ICTS also provides network and support services to other UN Agencies in UN Bonn Campus.

Reporting To The Programme Specialist, Volunteer Systems, The Incumbent Is Responsible For The Architecture, Design And Implementation Of Activities Related To Complex Systems Supporting Core UNV Initiatives Driven By Business User Needs In Areas Such As:

• Application development
• Application integration
• ICT service management and service delivery
• Application security
• Release management

Duties And Responsibilities

• Application development
• Work with business side to translated business requirements into technical specifications.
• Provide with technical design for submitted business requirements.
• Develop and maintain UNV systems in the cloud and on-premises.
• Develop new features and functionalities for UNV systems.
• Enhance, maintain, and administer the related databases.
• Maintain and update the Helpdesk knowledge base to support internal and external users about existing or new functionalities developed;
• Application integration
• Integrate UNV applications (cloud and non-cloud) in a consistent manner (application integration, data integration, business rules integration);
• Analyze integration logs for errors, provide recommendations and act proactively to prevent future errors from triggering.
• Work with internal and external entities to establish technical specifications for integrations.
• Act as a focal point for various external integrations;
• ICT service management and service delivery
• Coordinate with outsourced company developers the requirements for system changes/ development, discussing technical issues and getting the solution as per agreed contracts.
• Ensure optimum technical performance of the system, upgrade or enhance existing functionalities, troubleshoot and provide continuing user support, including resolving problems (Tier III applications support);
• Maintain and administer the Web Servers and other relevant technology stack components (cloud and on-premises);
• Perform impact analysis and change control and manage the implementation of the changes.
• Provide training to the users.
• Assist in the preparation of periodic and ad-hoc reports and statistics.
• Provide advice on new relevant to UNV techniques.
• Monitor system transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness.
• Coordinate with the ICT Infrastructure Team on the appropriate hardware/software platform to improve the performance and stability of UNV systems.
• Coordinate efforts to develop and maintain the library of system documentation and internal user manuals, training materials, and guidelines and make recommendations on improvements.
• Liaise with UNV users on information technology and systems issues by representing the ICT Section in committees, task forces, and steering groups and by regularly meeting with peers;
• Application security
• Ensure that software code adheres to the standards including the applications’ security aspects.
• Check periodically for the presence of new application security recommendations.
• Provide root cause analysis for security incidents.
• Come up with recommendations on how to further strengthen UNV applications.
• Ensure data security and access controls considering both local and wide area issues;
• Release management
• Follow release management guidelines.
• Research and analyze new technologies and make suggestions for their deployment.
• Participate in the elaboration of internal procedures, mechanisms, and controls to ensure release stability, improved quality, security, and performance of systems.
• Monitor responsiveness and robustness of usage and maintenance procedures.
• Contribute to release management improvement works.
• Perform technical User Acceptance testing.
• Monitor application security and performance before and after releases.
• Monitor application and server logs for post-deployment issues;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Programming

• Knowledge in programming concept, developing software program and management of application lifecycle. Knowledge of Oracle VCBS, Microsoft tools and equivalent an asset.

IT Project Management

• Capacity to manage ICT projects, using IT methodologies and approaches such as agile deployment and/or waterfall system development methods. PMP and PRINCE2 certification or equivalent desirable.

IT Service Delivery & Operations

• Ability to deliver the IT products and services to customers at the right level of Quality and Costs, taking into account user experience. ISO 20000 knowledge. ITIL certification or similar desirable

Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience – Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Digital Awareness and Literacy

• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfull grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Education:

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Software Engineering, Computer Science or other ICT-related studies is required/ or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Accreditation in a formal project management methodology (e.g. Prince2 or PMI) is highly desirable.
• Accreditation in agile software development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) is highly desirable.
• MCTS in web development is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’