Functional Title:                                Technical Cooperation Information Systems Assistant – G-7
Deadline for Applications:              12 November 2009
Organizational Unit:                        Office of Strategic Planning and Programme Management (OPM) Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Duty Station:                                     Addis Ababa
Duration:                                            3 months
Start date:                                           Effective immediately
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            United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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This position is located in the Office of the Strategic Planning and Programme Management (OPM) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Performs under the direct supervision of the Chief, Technical Cooperation and Project Management Section. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within delegated authority, the Information Systems Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the development, programming, testing, debugging and implementation of the ECA Donor portal and e-TC (Electronic Technical Cooperation Database and Management System), modules and functionalities; 

• Serves as ECA Donor Portal and e-TC Focal point for planning, specification, design, development, implementation and computer application; liaise with users to define and specify requirements; builds, tests and modifies prototype computer application systems;

• Installs computer application systems software and hardware according to specifications ECA Donor portal and e-TC (Electronic Technical Cooperation Database and Management System);

• Monitors applications systems using appropriate monitoring tools and produces monitoring and management reports for ECA Donor portal and e-TC (Electronic Technical Cooperation Database and Management System); 

• Escalates problems/tasks to the appropriate parties in accordance with established procedure;

• Provides orientation and training to TPMS staff, provides advice and training to end-users on the use of ECA Donor portal and e-TC (Electronic Technical Cooperation Database and Management System), applications and workflow processes;

• Identify system problems/issues, seek clarification from departments, assess replies, and prepare a summary for the Chief of Section with suggestions for further action;

• Prepare newsletters on ECA Donor portal and e-TC (Electronic Technical Cooperation Database and Management System) related activities; draft inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, etc.

• Provide secretariat services to ad hoc tasks forces, etc.; draft and circulate agenda notes to members/participants; assemble background documentation; draft minutes of the meeting; monitor follow-up actions related to TPMS Management Information System, etc.

• May undertake mission/field work in support of above activities, e.g. specific administrative, operational/control tasks related to the management information system activities;

• Establish internal databases; set up, file, store and manage data and information relevant to the scope of the above activities; and

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: 

Information Systems Officers and other IT specialists throughout the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa;
Senior administrative staff and focal points in user offices;
Sales and technical personnel of hardware/software vendors and contractors.

Results Expected:  Effectively provides team leadership and coordination of straightforward ECA Donor portal and e-TC (Electronic Technical Cooperation Database and Management System) projects.  Ensures quality and delivers outputs on these projects within agreed deadlines.  Independently processes work and initiates appropriate follow-up actions.  Demonstrates initiative in the identification and resolution of a wide range of issues/problems.  Is well-organized, and produces accurate reports, records and/or data.  Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures.  Effectively and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues, user groups and other concerned parties internally and externally.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of information technology and applications, including computer system networks. Good technical skills, ability to conduct network maintenance, provide server services and user support. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

• 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

• Communication:  Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Teamwork:  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings..

Qualifications:          

Education:  High School Diploma is required. A first level university degree or equivalent in IT is an advantage.

Experience: Minimum 7 years of experience in information systems analysis and programming, systems administration and maintenance, software development, technical writing or related area. 

Language:  English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English or French is required. Knowledge of another the language is an advantage. 
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Other:          Proficiency in reporting tools such as Crystal Reports or Business Objects for the development and maintenance of reports. Proficiency in project management tools for reporting is desirable.

HOW TO APPLY
Candidates who wish to be considered for the above post are requested to express their interests in writing to Ms. Susan Mokonyana, Chief, Human Resources Services Section/Division of Administration, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) or by email  via recruitpposts@uneca.org with attention to Ms. Freabeba Solomon fsolomon@uneca.org. Internal candidates are requested to attach their updated Personal History Profile (PHP) and their latest e-PAS.
The selected candidate for this TVA will be administered through the new set of Staff Rules and Regulations governing the recruitment and placement of Temporary Appointees effective 1 July 2009.  If the successful candidate is at the General Service level and already serving on a Fixed-Term or Permanent Appointment with the Organization (under the new set of Staff Rules and Regulations), s/he will maintain the same type of appointment and may be entitled to a Special Post Allowance to the P-2 level, subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED