IT Specialist

Internal Name Role : Digital Impact Specialist – Foundations and Guardrails

About the role

This assignment is part of UNICEF Asia Pacific's Regional Office (APRO) Digital Impact section. The role will provide Regional Office (RO) oversight, technical assurance and coordinated support for Digital Foundations and Guardrails across UNICEF Country Offices (COs) in the Asia-Pacific region. Working in close collaboration with UNICEF's Digital Impact Division (DID), the role will support the consistent application of UNICEF's global technology standards, architecture, cybersecurity and digital risk requirements, while responding to Country Office needs and regional priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Support the regional implementation and adoption of cloud-based and cloud-native services, unified communications, modern workplace technologies and next-generation network infrastructure to improve reliability, scalability, interoperability and secure access across COs
• Liaise with global and regional Digital Impact teams in COs to support alignment of Country Office digital architectures, infrastructure and services with UNICEF enterprise architecture, cloud modernization and technology standards
• Provide technical guidance and coordination to COs in the implementation of UNICEF's Global Cyber Resilience Initiative (GCRI) and related cybersecurity, information security and digital risk-management measures
• Assess and consolidate Country Office requirements for ICT, cloud, data and AI infrastructure, platforms and related digital services for both operations and programme delivery and facilitate access through regional Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs), global contracts, HQ services or other appropriate mechanisms
• Provide technical assurance for digital solutions and services to ensure that relevant requirements relating to cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, interoperability, accessibility, resilience, scalability and sustainability are considered throughout their lifecycle
• Coordinate and contribute to regional technical capacity-building initiatives in areas including digital foundations, cybersecurity, data governance, responsible use of emerging technologies, enterprise platforms and digital service delivery
• Provide technical review and assurance for business-process automation solutions developed or procured by Country Offices and the Regional Office to ensure compliance with UNICEF requirements for cybersecurity, privacy, data management, access control, maintainability and enterprise technology standards
• Provide technical guidance and governance support for digital fundraising platforms and channels in the region, particularly in relation to solution architecture, data management, privacy, cybersecurity and integration with UNICEF enterprise systems
• Facilitate communities of practice, knowledge exchange and peer support among Country Offices, helping identify common requirements, reusable solutions, lessons learned and opportunities for regional collaboration
• Provide technical advice and assurance to Regional and Country Office teams on the design and review of ICT, Technology for Development, digital, data and technology interventions, including requirements analysis, solution architecture, integration, interoperability, hosting, data management, cybersecurity, accessibility, scalability and sustainability

About you

• Master's degree in Digital Transformation, computer science, software engineering, information technology management, business administration or another relevant technical field
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in information technology management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation
• Experience identifying, designing and implementing solutions for large-scale projects with technical components – including supervising external vendors and software developers; responsibility for business analysis, budgets, contracts, project management and procurement
• Demonstrated substantial hands-on experience in software development of web-based applications using Microsoft frameworks tools and platforms, eg. .Net and MS SQL Server, and Open-Source platforms, eg. PHP and MySQL
• Demonstrated substantial hands-on experience in development solutions using SharePoint 2010 or higher
• Familiarity with and good understanding of Microsoft IT network environment concepts and operations, eg. server and VM installation and administration, Active Directory Services
• Experience in managing IT projects, particularly software development projects
• Certification and/or proven experience in one of these several ICT technical competencies: ICT Project Management, Business Analytics, Information Security, ICT Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security and Software Engineering and Programming
• Fluent English

About us

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfilling their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. In the East Asia and Pacific Region, UNICEF works to uphold the rights of all children, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to: survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security; development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition; protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them.

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required Education Level

Master's degree in Digital Transformation, computer science, software engineering, information technology management, business administration or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience Requirement

A minimum of five years of professional experience in information technology management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation is required, including :

• Experience identifying, designing and implementing solutions for large-scale projects with technical components – including supervising external vendors and software developers; responsibility for business analysis, budgets, contracts, project management and procurement, etc.
• Demonstrated substantial hands-on experience in software development of web-based applications using Microsoft frameworks tools and platforms, eg. .Net and MS SQL Server, and Open-Source platforms, eg. PHP and MySQL.
• Demonstrated substantial hands-on experience in development solutions using SharePoint 2010 or higher.
• Familiarity with and good understanding of Microsoft IT network environment concepts and operations, eg. server and VM installation and administration, Active Directory Services.
• Experience in managing IT projects, particularly software development projects.
• Certification and/or proven experience in one of these several ICT technical competencies: ICT Project Management, Business Analytics, Information Security, ICT Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security and Software Engineering and Programming.
• Exposure to UNICEF, UN, or other INGO programmatic areas, including health, nutrition, child protection and/or education.
• Experience in applying technical solutions to address programmatic issues.

Experience in the following areas is desirable :

• Experience in open source, mobile and emerging technology applied to UNICEF programme areas
• Experience working in T4D/ICT4D program design, service design, and field deployment/implementation in developing countries
• Experience with RapidPro, mSupply, DHIS2, ODK and other global public good technologies, and deploying, maintaining, and scaling these technologies
• Experience in coordination with multiple stakeholders like Government agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, private sector etc. in implementing ICT projects and exploring space for collaboration and partnerships
• Software programming experience, including quality assurance and product ownership to deliver enhancements, new functionality, and defect resolution as well as proficiency with source code and related tools (e.g. GitHub, DevOps, etc.)
• Knowledge of UNICEF’s ICT landscape, standard platforms and KM solutions an advantage.
• Experience in a UN organization is an asset.