Chief, Information Technology Service

This position is located in the Information Technology Service (ITS), Division for Management (DM) of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent reports to the Director, DM, and works in close technical cooperation and coordination with other services in DM, UNODC divisions, client entities and the Office of Information and Communication Technology (OICT) of the United Nations Secretariat at UN Headquarters in New York. This position provides leadership in planning, formulating, coordinating, implementing and managing the resources of the programme of work as well as in managing the Information and Communication Technology systems (ICT) of the offices at UNOV, UNODC and several other UN entities administered by UNOV and located in Vienna. For more information on UNOV or UNODC, please visit the websites: www.unov.org and www.unodc.org

The incumbent, working within the DM framework will plan, formulate, implement and manage the substantive work programme of ITS and will perform the following specific duties: • Lead, supervise and carry out the work programme of ITS under his/her responsibility and oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Service; ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and in a cost-effective manner in coordination with other United Nations system organizations, as appropriate. • Determine priorities and provide technical leadership on information technology (IT) issues; Coordinate and manage the work of the work units, teams and the staff to facilitate achieving organizational goals; Efficiently allocate resources and ensure high-quality standards for all outputs; Ensure planning, management and control of ICT contracts and assets. • Plan, provide and manage ICT services to UNODC, including its numerous field offices, technical cooperation projects and, upon request, intergovernmental bodies and Member States; Oversee the development and deployment of innovative, sustainable and affordable enterprise IT solutions for UNODC Member States in specific programmatic areas; Oversee the negotiations with government agencies regarding the development and deployment of applications. • Plan, provide and manage ICT services to UNOV and other UN Secretariat offices administered by UNOV and, upon their request, to other UN entities in the Vienna International Centre and elsewhere; Oversee the development of innovative solutions, as required, in a changing business environment. • Direct major transformation projects important to UNOV and UNODC, which have a critical impact on the operations; This includes inter alia essential administrative and programmatic functions, enterprise workflow systems, web, mobile, desktop etc. applications. • Provide leadership on complex systems analysis, design and the identification of the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems), including feasibility assessment, requirements specification, development, rollout and implementation, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures. • Provide and continually improve a broad array of ICT end-user services including costumer support, other communication, audio/videoconference etc. services, and create and maintain service level agreements and objectives; propose new services based on ICT supply and demand; improve and automate ICT service delivery processes. • Oversee and conduct periodic security risk assessments of ICT operations, giving priority to business continuity and disaster recovery considerations. • Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports on programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues related to IT, and for presentations to senior management, interagency bodies, policy-making organs etc.; Provide substantive reviews and technical assessments of documentation and reports prepared by others. • Undertake and oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service, including formulation of budget submissions, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, reporting on budget/programme performance, overseeing cost recovery, procurement, communication strategy and service delivery issues; Ensure strategic planning, reporting and compliance with standards, rules and regulations as well as with audit recommendations. • Oversee the work of staff in ITS as well as manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision; Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across the organization; Evaluate staff performance and recruit staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance. • Organize and/or participate in meetings, organizational discussions on substantive IT matters with representatives of other organizations of the UN family and provide programmatic/substantive expertise; Contribute to the harmonization, streamlining and timely global support of enterprise applications and solutions and to the development and dissemination of best practices. • Interact with internal and external clients, vendors and partner organizations to ensure continuous customer satisfaction. Build strong relationships with senior management/directors across all entities as part of a structured business relationship management model and become their trusted IT advisor. • Represent the Office in the field of IT at meetings and working groups as required. • Direct change management activities in support of the implementation of the ICT strategy of the United Nations Secretariat. • Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provide insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensure that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Perform other work-related duties as may be required.

• Professionalism: Has knowledge of systems design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex information and communications systems and technology. Is able to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems; has conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical systems matters. Has knowledge of cloud computing, UN standards, next generation tools and “low code” administrative application development. Has knowledge of organization’s information infrastructure and IT strategy including as it relates to user area(s). Is able to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Is able to advise senior management on complex systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution. Is able to improve processes and standardize approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities. Has strong negotiating skills and the ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues. Is able to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Is able to apply United Nations rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Has 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 • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • 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. Managerial competencies: • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, mathematics, information management, information systems, engineering, business administration or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional work experience in information technology operations including planning, designing, implementing and maintaining large scale information systems and centrally provided global information technology operations is required. Senior management experience with managing large IT teams, complex financial costing models and sensitive client relationships, business modelling, portfolio management is required. Experience with IT strategic vision development and change management concepts and enterprise architecture framework is required. Experience in leading and delivering large scale transformation projects is required. Experience with the United Nations System or similar large and complex international organization is desirable. Experience in multiple United nations organizations or multiple similar international organizations is desirable. Experience in leading large successful technology transformation or related area is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

This position is funded from extra budgetary resources. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment will be subject to the availability of funds. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.  At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.  All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.  The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.