DevOps Engineer

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) manages an open data platform – the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). Launched in July 2014, the goal of HDX is to make humanitarian data easy to find and use for analysis.

The HDX platform is based on CKAN and includes: a dataset repository for sharing data amongst a globally distributed community; data visualization and geodata preview functionality to understand the data within the platform; and an emerging data standards infrastructure for the Humanitarian Exchange Language (HXL).

Data on HDX is shared by organizations through manual upload of files and programmatically through APIs. Data can be shared openly, privately with an organization’s membership or by request. The platform includes more than 6,500 datasets from over 340 organizations. Once data is in HDX, the Data Team works with organizations to create visualizations to help users gain insight.

HDX requires an experienced AWS Dev/Ops Engineer with the technical skills to work with the existing Dev/Ops team and the wider HDX team to create an optimised environment on AWS for the HDX platform.

Reporting Relationship

Under the overall direction of the Head of the Centre for Humanitarian Data based in the Hague, the consultant will report to Head of the Data Systems Team in Geneva and will work closely with the HDX Product Manager and the HDX dev team. The consultant will also liaise closely with the entire HDX team to deliver the necessary services to partners. 

Within the framework of the Centre and HDX’s Objectives and Key Results, the consultant will be responsible for the following:

1. Taking account of the existing HDX environment, help deploy a new AWS based system collaborate with existing DevOps team to integrate with the existing HDX stack as necessary.
2. Configure the AWS systems in a way that is both highly secure but also efficient in terms of resources used.
3. Train the existing Dev/Ops team in the configuring of AWS.
4. Present work to technical and non-technical audiences.
5. Participate in team meetings as required.

Deliverables:

1. Test infrastructure for fast upload and automatic detection of sensitive data.
2. Designs for a secure infrastructure where partners can work to de-risk data before it is shared with anyone.
3. Training & documentation to ensure skills transfer to existing team so they can safely and securely deploy and control infrastructure.
4. Informing the wider HDX team about the range of Amazon services available and advising on their purpose and usage where needed.

Education

MSc. in mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, or related discipline. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Five years DevOps experience with minimum of 2 years using Amazon Web Services.

Language

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA-2/LICA-10/ICSC-10
Contract duration: 3 months (with possible extension)
Contract Modality: Retainer ( daily basis) 

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.