Senior Information Communication Technology Associate, GS-7 at UNICEF

Job Number: 525737
Location: Lagos
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment

How can you make a difference?

• Senior Network Assistant is accountable for the delivery of effective and efficient technical and operational assistance to the supervisor in the administration, maintenance, documentation, and monitoring all UNICEF's networks and network components.  Ensures that effective and efficient network operation and services, including software, hardware and operational support to ensure minimal down time and maximum productivity.
• Identifies risks and emerging faults in order to enhance network capacity, security, redundancy and fault tolerance.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
High standards of network operations and services are maintained through continuous infrastructure improvement, performance monitoring and policy compliance:

• Maintains UNICEF's Local and Global Network Infrastructure : ranging from hardware installation of network components (including routers, switches, firewalls, bridges, hubs and modems, etc.) to software upgrades and network management tools.
• Determines causes of computer/software/network malfunctions through testing and evaluation, and resolves by additions, modifications, repair, or external support assistance.
• Advises appropriate staff members of possible causes of the problem, risks and precautions necessary to avoid additional issues.
• Monitors and ensures application/compliances of IT policies and guidelines, established processes and procedures by all team members.
• Monitors/analyzes staff performance, examines faulty areas in the IT infrastructure, resolves issues, and defines training needs, for improvement in the network operations and services.

Timely and  effective support for network changes, enhancements, optimization is provided:

• Prepares system for installation and attachment to LAN/WAN. Installs and tests network infrastructure equipment including switches, routers, and associated cabling.
• Plans network changes and growth based on network security, utilization data, performance data, and the user input.
• Monitors and analyzes network statistics, vendor reports and other sources of information for network optimization,  utilizing existing Enterprise Management tool sets and the specific utilities.

Network availability,  services and security are enhanced and maintained:

• Conducts routine monitoring of the WAN to ensure its continued network services, installs routine updates to the software, performs normal corrections when necessary and alerts the supervisor if special actions must be planned or if threats to the network might exist.
• Enhances network availability and service levels by establishing routine maintenance procedures, heightening security and access rights.
• Coordinates all changes closely with Technical Architecture groups (security, GTS platforms and change management).

Timely and effective network audit and redundancy plans are provided for performance optimization and network protection:

• Performs audit of core and critical network components and develops a new baseline benchmark.  Optimizes network performance according to benchmark.
• Implements and maintains network redundancy plans.

Updated network descriptions, processes and procedures are well documented to maintain internal knowledge continuity and competency:

• Documents/reports network processes, procedures, software, tools and issues. Classifies and maintains the network documentation.
• Provides support in the staff training, development and distribution of instructions and other related materials.
• Develops training plans for the team members to ensure appropriate level of knowledge on the network infrastructure issues.
• Conducts the training/induction process for new staff on internal processes/procedures, network  management tools and the IT Operation/Services environment.
• Compiles Frequently Ask Questions and maintains knowledge databases for eventual distribution  available to users in HQ and field offices.
• Prepares and maintains a physical layout of network, including diagrams and network descriptions.

Assignments of additional duties and responsibilities are effectively performed:

•  Performs additional duties as assigned by the supervisor

Education

• Completion of Secondary education supplemented with formal training at university level in Computer Science, Business Administration, Engineering or related field with training in networking and telecommunication technology. Additional Networking/ telecommunication related industry certification an asset.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use standard office software, tools and technologies.
• Must pass the English Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) - formerly known as the Clerical Exam.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use standard office software, tools and technologies.
• Must pass the English Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) - formerly known as the Clerical Exam.

Work Experience:

• Seven years practical work experience in information technology, including systems administration and operations, network computing, systematic methods of trouble shooting and analytical problem solving, providing assistance to users on IT services, and use of applications and diagnostic tools. Practical experience in Global Network Problem Resolution, Infrastructure Operations, Service Operations, and practice in network operations.
• Broad exposure to substantive Windows systems work reflecting major IT developments in such areas as client/server computing and applications, database administration/engineering, operating systems development, internetworking desirable.
• Work experience in emergencies.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language an asset.

Technical Knowledge
Common Technical Knowledge Required:

• Practical knowledge of computer programming, software information management, data processing applications, database development, network administration, data communications, telecommunications, hardware and software installation, service management, end-user assistance, preparation of end-user documentation and manuals.
• UNICEF Field Offices environment and use of ProMS and/or SAP
• Computer knowledge: WORD, EXCEL,POWER POINT, VISIO,SAP,LOTUS

Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job):

• (Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)
• Fundamentals of computing, networking and communications.
• Knowledge of LAN/WAN connectivity, Personal Computer, Disk Operating System, Network Operating System, and MS Windows.
• UNICEF's Global Infrastructure, Network and Security Architecture.
• UNICEF's procedures and processes for administering messaging network.
• Knowledge of Enterprise Management Software.
• Understanding of network troubleshooting tools both hardware and software.
• Practices and principles of upgrades installations and conversions.
• Practices and principles of IT operations and problem resolution.
• Practices and principles of IT analysis, planning, design, implementation and problem resolution

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job):

• Understanding of UN/UNICEF rules and regulations, business processes and procedures., including, UNICEF IT Security Policy, Standards and Electronic Code of Conduct.
• Understanding and keen awareness of trends and development in information technology fields (e.g., industry mainstream hardware, operating systems, software tools and utilities).
• Understanding of UN Mission and system; and International Code of Conduct
• Understanding of UNICEF Mission Statement and observance of UNICEF Guiding Principles

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at:  http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf