Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN): - Jobs and Vacancies in Kenya

Information Systems Officer, P-3

Deadline for Applications: 07 Jun 2010

Organizational Unit: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Duty Station: Nairobi

Vacancy Announcement Number: 10-IST-OCHA-424174-R-NAIROBI

Responsibilities:
This post is located with the Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), part of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and is based in Nairobi. The Information Systems Officer reports to the IRIN Chief of Information Technology Services (ITS) and is responsible for maintaining and improving IRIN’s internal and external online services including its websites, intranet and databases. Availability and stability of the public online services is a key expectation as is sound system administration and trouble shooting.

In consultation with the Chief of ITS and IRIN management, the Officer will develop new features, tools and services for internal and external purposes, supervise web-oriented staff and contribute to planning and training activities.

Responsibilities include:

a) Maintains and develops IRIN's internal and external online information services and systems by:

• Maintaining, upgrading and/or enhancing existing user systems;
  
• trouble shoots and provides continuing user support, to include resolving difficult problems, advising on the use of new techniques, monitoring transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness of assigned systems, etc.
  
• Researching, analysing and evaluating new technologies and making recommendations for their deployment
  
• Managing projects involving feasibility studies, systems analysis, design, development and implementation of new, moderately complex systems, and/or, participates as a member of a development team with responsibility for major components of the more complex systems.
  
• Providing specialised advice to users, analysing users’ requirements and translating these into new applications; determines application systems integration and linkage issues.
  
• Developing and maintaining computer programs that require integration of many interrelated systems and program elements; ensures appropriate data security and access controls considering both local and wide area issues.
  
• Organising and performing unit and integrated testing, designing and utilising test bases; assisting users in acceptance testing.
  

b) Supports an integrated approach to corporate systems administration and management by:

• Facilitating communications between OCHA/IRIN and its clients for good client relations.
  
• Serves as coordinator in the development of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the client and IRIN, for either specific IT services or general technology support, including any charge back mechanisms.
  
• Handling all aspects of contract administration, including establishment of service level agreements with vendors and chargeback policy.
  
• Developing detailed system and function specification and user documentation for major systems.
  
• Participating in writing reports and papers on systems-related topics, system requirements, information strategy, etc.
  
• Developing disaster recovery plans and ensuring appropriate planning and training of those responsible.
  
• Developing training materials, operating and user manuals; training staff in assigned systems.
  
• Providing guidance to, and supervising, new/junior staff, consultants, etc.

Competencies:
Professionalism:

• Knowledge of information technology/information management, particularly in systems analysis, database design and programming.
  
• Knowledge of several high level programming languages and significant exposure to and demonstrated proficiency in all aspects of programming and analysis, including structured/object-oriented design, relational systems, scripting and query languages, document design and management, hardware and software requirements, systems facilities and execution protocols.
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, to include proficiency in the development and implementation of systems of moderate size/complexity.
  
• Knowledge of interactive systems; good knowledge of organization's information infrastructure and IT strategy as it relates to user area(s); independently maintains assigned systems and develops innovative approaches to resolve a wide range of issues/problems.
  
• 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.
  

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks --outside the box--; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
  

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
  

Planning and 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.

Qualifications:
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 qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related area.

Languages:

• English and French are the two official working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required.
  
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Other Skills:
Desirable: NET C# and VB, ASP.Net (C# focus preferable), Strong MS SQL skills (architecture, performance, scalability) and MS IIS, Object Orientated design, ASP and JavaScript, HTML and CSS, Security concepts and best practice (intrusion, DoS, SQL injection etc). Flash and ActionScript, AJAX techniques, XML, XSL, XPath, Familiarity with Visual Studio .NET (2003 and 2005), Dreamweaver, Source Safe, SQL Enterprise Manager, Microsoft certification, Web-oriented Content Management Systems, Document management, formatting and conversions, Search technologies, Web analytics.

How to apply

Click here UN Jobs Website to make an online application for this position
More Jobs and Vacancies in East Africa available here

East Africa Vacancies