ICT Specialist-Technology Innovation (Activity Info System Implementation)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of the UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services, UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio.  It provides services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries. 

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The Centre for Humanitarian Data is focused on increasing the use and impact of data in humanitarian response. It is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Centre’s vision is to create a future where everyone involved in a humanitarian emergency has access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions. Our support is provided to OCHA staff and partners, with a priority focus on locations with humanitarian operations. The Centre focuses on four workstreams: data services, data science, data responsibility, and learning and practice.

The Monitoring and Tools Section (MATS), Assessment, Planning and Monitoring Branch (APMB), Coordination Division, is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. 

This position is required for a cross-collaboration between the Centre for Humanitarian Data, the Field Information Services Section (FIS) from the Information Management Branch (IMB), and the MATS team. The team launched a global response monitoring project in 2024 and will pilot the new system currently under development, using ActivityInfo, at the beginning of 2025.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The incumbent will report to the Senior Team Lead, HPC Tools Development and work closely with FIS and Centre colleagues, under the overall direction of the MATS Data and Tools Support Unit Team Lead. The Senior Team Lead, HPC Tools Development will be responsible for overseeing and drafting the specifications for the new global response monitoring system during the pilot and rollout phase as well as writing manuals and documentation. The incumbent will engage daily with the various stakeholders of the Project management team.

The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The functions responsibilities are:

• Manage the support provided to pilot countries in data transformation and validation, including problem-solve the pilots and keep a log of the feedback received from the pilot country teams. 
• Draft and synthesize user specifications based on outcomes of the pilots.
• Oversee translation of user specifications into technical features by the implementing partners and provide input and feedback.
• Guide and oversee the transition of users from their legacy systems to the new system in ActivityInfo.
• Coordinate the training of trainers on ActivityInfo functionalities.
• Draft training manuals in support of pilots and rollout.
• Draft workflow documentation in support of pilots and rollout, including all integration steps and troubleshooting tips. 
• Monitor implementation of workflows and features and support process improvements and new enhancements required.
• Test and implement the integration workflow: set up workflows that support the data collection and validation processes to ensure data sync between ActivityInfo and HPC Tools.
• Ensure transparency and regular communication with users involved in the pilots and rollout and ensure that feedback from users is taken into account. 
• Access, retrieve and share APIs for ActivityInfo and HPC Tools as requested by the pilot teams.
• Identify Data Sources: determine which reference tables, fields in ActivityInfo are essential to be fed back into HPC Tools.
• Develop templates in PowerBI and ESRI products.
• Understand project goals/strategies and identify opportunities in line with these.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in information management, computer science, social science or similar field to the post description with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• First-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in information management, computer science, social science or similar field to the post description with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable. 

b. Work Experience 
Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in humanitarian information management,  Monitoring and Evaluation or related field.
• Experience working with the UN system, I/NGOs or similar organizations is required.

Desirable (The following experiences are optional, candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply) 

• Experience in configuration with ActivityInfo is desirable.
• Experience with API data retrieval and processing from various sources is desirable.
• Knowledge of OCHA systems and processes is desirable.
• Experience with the HPC (Humanitarian Programme Cycle) Tools is desirable
• Experience with response monitoring (Who does What Where) is desirable
• Proficiency in data manipulation languages such as SQL or PowerQuery is desirable.
• Proficiency in PowerBi and ESRI products is desirable.

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak)  is required. 
• Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2)/ICS10
Contract duration: Open-ended  (Though the vacancy is posted as open-ended, the contract for this position is initially set for a duration of 6 months, with any extension dependent on good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and project duration)

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.