Information Technology Associate (GS-6)

UNU-WIDER is hiring an Information Technology Associate in Helsinki, Finland. As Information Technology Associate you will play a pivotal role in enhancing UNU-WIDER’s web presence, streamlining organizational processes through digital tools, and providing essential operational support.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to various aspects of our ICT initiatives, ensuring that our digital infrastructure is robust, secure, and efficient.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Systems Analyst, and the thematic guidance of the Head of Operations, the Information Technology Associate will play a pivotal role in enhancing UNU-WIDER’s web presence, streamlining organizational processes through digital tools, and providing essential operational support. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to various aspects of our ICT initiatives, ensuring that our digital infrastructure is robust, secure, and efficient. The ICT Associate maintains a dedication to service, quality, and a client-oriented, outcome-focused approach, constantly striving to exceed organizational goals and meet stakeholder expectations.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for the following:

1. Web development

• Development, customization, and enhancement of the organization's websites, adhering to a secure Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology to ensure robust, reliable, and protected digital assets.
• Implement new features, modules, and themes to improve website functionality and user experience.
• Perform regular website maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance and security.
• Collaborate with the communications team and other stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver high-quality web solutions.
• Ensure web application security adheres to UNU's established guidelines and leverages industry best practices to fill gaps by:
  • Applying security patches timely, diagnosing and resolving security vulnerabilities (bugs)
  • Maintaining and updating Drupal core and modules to address potential security risks
  • Integrating third-party services and APIs securely
  • Monitor, assess, and optimize website performance using appropriate tools and metrics. Identify and resolve issues affecting responsiveness, reliability, and accessibility
• Stays updated with the latest advancements in web development; conducts benchmarking and suggests new tools and technologies for adoption.

2. Process digitalization and digital productivity tools 

•  Support the implementation and integration of various digitization tools to streamline organizational processes.
• Develop and deliver targeted training programs to empower staff to utilize digital tools effectively for their specific roles. Or provide ongoing technical support and guidance to ensure staff proficiency with digital tools and maximize their impact.
• Continuously assess and recommend new tools and technologies to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Utilize tools such as Microsoft Power Automate to create automated workflows that improve operational efficiency. Monitor and troubleshoot automated workflows to ensure they function as intended and make improvements as necessary.

3. ICT operational support

• Support and resolve issues related to the Microsoft 365 environment, including both escalated tickets as well as tasks related to daily operations, coordinating solutions with internal ICT team and C3 (Campus Computing Centre) colleagues as required.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for improvements in processes, systems, and structures. Enhance current practices to increase effectiveness and achieve greater efficiency.
• Assist with response, management, and mitigation of cyber security incidents according to established procedures, ensuring our digital assets remain secure.Serves as team member in the planning, specification, design, development, implementation and support of computer application systems; independently liaises with users to define and specify requirements.
• Acts as a backup focal point for the coordination, monitoring, and expediting of computer application systems development projects. This role involves extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference, process and follow-up on administrative actions, and resolve issues related to project implementation, such as organizing and participating in training, and procuring equipment and services.
• Provides guidance to new/junior staff.

4. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor 

Key Performance Indicators

• Percentage of website features and enhancements delivered on time and within budget. Average user satisfaction score with new website features
• Percentage of stakeholders actively participating in project discussions and providing feedback
• Reduction in process completion time after implementing digitization tools
   
• Advancement of Digital efficiency objectives

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
• Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
• Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

• Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
   

Qualifications

1) Education and certification

• Completion of secondary education is required.
  OR
  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

2) Required skills and experience

• A minimum of six (6) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Computer Science or Information Technology.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in Drupal development, Twig templating, custom module development and debugging.
• MySQL: Proficient in database design and management, with experience optimizing queries and database performance.
• HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery: Solid front-end development skills, including responsive design and cross-browser compatibility.
• Twig Templating: Experience with Twig templating engine used in Drupal.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker.
• Experience with version control systems such as Git.
• Experience with workflow automation tools such as Microsoft Power Automate, or similar is an asset. 
• Experience with Microsoft 365 administration, including tenant management, security configuration, and core services deployment, is desirable.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Knowledge of web security best practices and experience implementing security measures is an advantage.
• Experience in deploying and managing containers in Azure virtual machines is an asset.
• Knowledge of CiviCRM is an asset.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in  English is required
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL

Duration of contract

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.

For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Expected start date

As soon as possible

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

To access the full job description and to apply visit UNU Career.