Information and Communications Technology Associate, GS-6, Bridgetown, Barbados, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area, #129454

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, access

How can you make a difference?? 

Purpose for the job:

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Associate performs procedural and some specialized activities pertaining to UNICEF’s ICT systems, which include desktop administration and server operations. Specialized activities typically pertain to the installation and routine configuration of ICT system components and user orientation. Procedural activities include all other processes that may not require the application of specialized information technology training and knowledge, such as maintaining technical and user documentation and/or serving as focal point for receipt and processing of user requests.

Key functions/accountabilities:  

1. General ICT / Office Support:

ICT Associates at this level perform a full range of procedural activities in support of ICT to ensure effective communications with client departments/divisions/offices and efficient provision of support to other ICT staff. Activities include:

• Providing first-level support that includes receiving, processing and logging service requests.
• Managing lifecycle of ICT incidents assigned to him/her in service management tool.
• Providing support in conferencing with ICT and audiovisual equipment as and when requested.
• Creating and assigning work orders.
• Maintaining and updating files (electronic and paper) and internal databases.
• Maintaining ICT inventory, manuals and other documentation. This may require the incumbent to lift, move, mount, or store equipment.

2. Minimal ICT Administration:

ICT Associates are accountable for specialized support pertaining to routine ICT activities requiring thorough understanding and application of server, operating system, hardware and software documentation and functionality. Activities include:

• Installing/upgrading, configuring (routine, standard) and maintaining systems, tools and equipment.
• Assisting in routine operation and monitoring of server systems.
• Providing second-level user support/troubleshooting.
• Extracting data from databases to serve the needs and requests of users, diagnosing errors and correcting as necessary.
• Performing backups of servers following standard backup procedures.
• Assisting in the generation of computer reports.
• Providing on-the-job orientation for users in the use of ICT systems.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Completion of Secondary education is required, supplemented with formal training in Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Engineering.

Work experience: A minimum of six years of practical work experience in information technology, requiring systematic methods of troubleshooting and problem solving is required. Experience in providing assistance to users on IT products and services, and use of applications and diagnostic tools is required. Practical experience in providing technical and business Customer Support and Services is required. Practical experience and working knowledge of various computer platforms and applications is required.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills:

• Good knowledge of UNICEF’s ICT regulations, rules and procedures as well as systems and applications.
• Good working knowledge of computer information systems, including micro-computer operating systems software (e.g. Windows), hardware and applications software and other office technology equipment.
• Ability to understand data and effectively use office technology systems for its input and extraction.
• Ability to provide on-the-job orientation to clients.
• Takes responsibility to respond to service needs promptly and proactively.
• Demonstrates a high degree of integrity, reliability and honors matters of confidentiality.
• Ability to handle work quickly and accurately under time constraints.
• Demonstrates courtesy, tact, patience and ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Desirables:

• ITIL Foundation Certificate or equivalent customer support certification is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable males are encouraged to apply.

General Service Staff are recruited locally but can be of any nationality. Candidates must be in possession of an existing work permit/documentation permitting work in Barbados or be a resident/citizen of Barbados to be considered eligible for this post.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.