CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER -- United Nations, Ethiopia

Posting Title: CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, P5
Job Code Title: SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER
Department/ Office: Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period: 10 August 2015-9 October 2015
Job Opening number: 15-IST-ECA-42754-R-ADDIS ABABA(G) 

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. UNECA is committed to promoting geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
		Org. Setting and Reporting
	This position is located in the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in the Public Information and Knowledge Management Division (PIKMD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent reports to the Director of PIKMD.
		Responsibilities
	Within delegated authority, Chief Technology Officer is responsible for the following duties: • Leads and directs ECA’s information systems officers and information technology officers; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. • Conceptualizes, develops strategy for and oversees the design and implementation of ECA’s major systems initiatives; manages/oversees multiple, concurrent and often disparate tasks for projects that often involve innovative applications, dissimilar systems, as well as databases and highly complex system integration and linkages. • Provides authoritative technical and policy advice to senior managers on systems development in a changing business environment and the implications of various alternatives, on business applications and other related issues; identifies and plans for future needs; develops and disseminates best practices. • Manages procurements, including conducting needs assessments and benchmarks, preparing bid documents and arranging contracts; supervises, coordinates and negotiates the services required to enable the management and operation of interdependent administrative, financial, human resources and other information systems. • Develops and monitors performance measures; ensures that services and support provided by the Section meet established time and cost parameters and standards of technical quality. • Sets up, controls and oversees Helpdesk support services. • Prepares and monitors the budget, work program, and spending plan. • Develops innovative solutions to resolve intricate problems that impact a critical area of the organization’s work. • Ensures the development of standards, procedures and practices to ensure a stable and effective systems environment.
		Competencies
	•  Professionalism: Knowledge of systems design, and development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex information systems. Ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters. Knowledge of a range of computer languages and development paradigms, knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s).  Ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Ability to advise senior management on complex systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters. Ability to improve processes and approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities. Knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s); strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Planning& Organizing:  Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
		Education
	Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
		Work Experience
	A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area is required. Experience in maintaining up-to-date knowledge of ICT technological applications that could potentially be adopted by ECA, including future projections on the potentials of current and new technologies in the African context, is highly desirable.
		Languages
	Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
		Assessment Method
	Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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