Job and Career Info

Job Vacancies United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe.

ICT Application Architect, New York

Closing date: 16 Apr 2010
Location: United States of America (the) – New York

Background

The United Nations Department of Field Support, Information and Communications Technology Division (UN DFS-ICTD) is responsible for the delivery of applications that satisfy the requirements of the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support (DPKO/DFS) missions as well as Special Political Missions (SPMs).

DFS has implemented a range of systems to address the principal requirements of peacekeeping operations and to support and enhance the processes DFS undertakes.

ICTD/DFS is engaged in the implementation of commercial off-the-shelf applications to: support the management of DPKO/DFS institutional information; support logistics and administrative activities and operations in the field; and deliver comprehensive master data management services, including data warehousing and the aggregation of key data and indicators to support strategic decision making.

DPKO/DFS has requested UNOPS to provide technical capabilities in support of these initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Information Systems Coordinator, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

•Provide expertise in designing solutions that provide appropriate levels of performance, scalability and reliability;
•Define and document architectural standards, and guidelines to direct the build and deployment of information systems;
•Ensure that the architectural principles and standards are applied to the finished information systems;
•Work closely with project managers and business analysts to ensure that during the requirements gathering process unambiguous information is captured from stakeholders to facilitate architectural design, define project deliverables and schedules;
•Provide advice and guidance in the development of the application solution;
•Provide continuity in all major application solution decisions;
•Provide knowledge & guidance for technical integrations of internal applications;
•Collect, verify, and document application technical procedures and standards;
•Participate in technical project reviews;
•Provide recommendation to strengthen the software development life cycle and participate in defining best practices & development standards;
•Perform requirements analysis and determine hardware and software elements that will be required to support predetermined functional requirements and data/information elements;
•Participate in the articulation and development of solutions based on strategic business and functional requirements across the business units to ensure adherence to technical standards and avoid functional repetition;
•Oversee project design deliverables including conceptual design, technical specifications, domain models, database design;
•Operate across multiple projects simultaneously and assume responsibility for the appropriate architecture and participate in the technical implementation of projects;
•Collaborate with other architects, technical leads, and development teams to define hardware/software requirements, plan and execute the integration of acquisition applications and corporate initiatives;
•Proactively seek application design and construction best practices;
•Maintain awareness of existing or potential software/hardware situations and proactively alert the project management, product management, and customer-facing groups of potential problems and improvements;
•Stay abreast of current industry standards for technical specifications of hardware/software requirements.

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies
Professionalism – Strong theoretical background and substantial experience in information technology/ information management, particularly in application design and development, systems analysis, and implementation of systems. Demonstrates capacity for intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Good knowledge of organizations ICT strategy and infrastructure. Ability to develop innovative approaches to resolve a wide range of issues/problems. Good knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities and processes within the area(s) in which the system operates. Demonstrated ability to manage projects and working towards the achievement of defined deliverables. Expert decision-making experience in the field and proven record of managing contracted onsite as well as offshore teams.

Communication – Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts both orally and in writing, in a clear concise style. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

Client Orientation – Ability to identify and analyze clients’ needs and propose appropriate solution to meet business requirements

Planning and Organizing – Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.

Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Education/Experience/Language

Education – Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics or related field. A first-level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience in application design and development may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Work Experience
•7 years of experience in application design and development with at least 5 years of experience in an architecture role
•5+ years experience in structured technical environments, in particular with systems architecture, database analysis and design in tiered systems
•Experience in relational/object database implementation and integration
•Experience with Internet, legacy systems, client-server architecture and network and telecommunications infrastructures
•Experience in project management, including application lifecycle management; related certifications are a plus. Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, assume responsibility for the appropriate architecture, participate in the technical implementation of projects and must be able to gain understanding quickly of the internal technical and solutions landscape.
•Experience developing global applications with high transaction volumes that deliver high levels of availability, performance, scalability
•Experience with one or more of the following web server architectures: Apache, IIS, Tomcat
•Experience working with remote development teams will be an advantage
•Experience working in an international or multi-cultural environment is desirable
•Must be able to show a proven track record of delivering solutions to customers, including database implementation, consolidation, system architecture & design, and application integration with emphasis on Web services
•Must possess solid understanding of and practical experience with niche market relational databases such as Oracle, DB2 or MS SQL Server
•Must have knowledge of three or more of the following: Microsoft SharePoint, LDAP, .NET, .NET Nuke, Java, IBM Lotus WebSphere Applications, Portal, Quickr, Connections, SAP, Siebel CRM, EMC Documentum
•Must have good knowledge of architecture frameworks, methodologies and best practices.

Language – Fluency in spoken and written English required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.
How to apply
Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) English Version, via e-mail to DFSJobs@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations

- 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.
-UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org
Reference Code: RW_83WGJK-94
Source: Reliefweb

Incoming search terms for the article:

• United Nations architecture jobs
• un architecture jobs
• unops vacancies
• UN jobs for architects
• un jobs architect
• un architect jobs
• onu architects
• united nations jobs architecture
• UN jobs architecture
• united nations jobs architect