IT Architecture and Implementation Specialist at UNJSPF

IT Architecture and Implementation Specialist

JO: 250363

Duty Station: New York, US

Deadline: Feb 13, 2025

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG is, in turn, assisted in this function by the Office of Investment Management (OIM). OIM manages a $95+ billion multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprise global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and commodities. OIM’s staff are all based in New York but come from over 40 countries. For more information, please visit UNJSPF’s website at https://www.unjspf.org/ This position is in the Architecture and Implementation team of the Information Systems Section of OIM. The incumbent will report to the Information Systems Officer leading the Architecture and Implementation team.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Architecture and Implementation Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

Primary Duties:

• Assists in the design and implementation of major systems projects of significant importance to the institution, or major components of these complex systems which typically impact critical operations and large or multiple user groups.
• Provides advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or respond to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development, and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics, and performance measures.
• Assists and augments the project management resources for assigned programmes/projects, in collaboration with the business stakeholders, executive sponsors, and information technology team, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the required documentation and artifacts that will be used to manage the work within scope, time, and budget.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Actively assists in the execution of the most complex aspects of the project (e.g. systems analysis, development, programming, etc.); enables development of document and database structures, ensuring that all design aspects are addressed, and control and security mechanisms are established.

Additional Duties:

• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Researches, analyzes, and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes, and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as required.

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 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). The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders 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 & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Mid-level Certifications from industry leading organizations like Microsoft (Analyst/Administrator/Engineer), Cisco (above CCST/CCNA) etc. in Cloud or Networking technologies are required. IT Security Certification from Industry leading organizations (i.e. CISSP, CISA, CompTIA Security+) is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of information systems and IT architecture in an investment environment supporting investment technology is required. Experience demonstrating a strong understanding of IT architecture principles and practices is required. Experience in project management methodology with a certification of PRINCE2 or PMP is required. Relevant experience with ITIL process and ISO standards (i.e. 27001, 9001 and 22301) is desirable. Experience with Business Intelligence tools (e.g. PowerBI, Tableau) including tracking projects / programs KPIs and metrics is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.