ICT Manager (Senior Architect, Cloud Hosting & Integration Services), P4, Fixed-term, #53159, ICTD Digital Core - Valencia, Spain
Valencia
- Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
- Location: Valencia
- Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Managerial positions
- Closing Date: Closed
We are looking for an ICT Manager (Cloud Hosting and Integration Services) to lead and oversee the design and management of global platforms, validate cloud application designs. This role oversees and advises on the deployment topologies of applications in the cloud and applicable on-premises environments, and is accountable for decisions on deployments in public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.
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, a digital future
The overarching ICT strategic goal is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally through innovative technology solutions.
The Technology Architecture and Operations (TAO) Section’s Cloud Hosting and Integration Services Unit leads and oversees the architecture and engineering for UNICEF’s Enterprise Cloud Application Hosting, Cloud Integration and Developer Collaboration Platform Services portfolio in support of UNICEF’s digital programmes.
How can you make a difference?
In support of UNICEF digital programmes and daily operational requirements, the ICT Manager (Cloud Hosting and Integration Services) leads and oversees the design and management of global platforms, validates cloud application designs. This role oversees and advises on the deployment topologies of applications in the cloud and applicable on-premises environments, and is accountable for decisions on deployments in public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.
The ICT Manager is the lead Senior Architect responsible for the design and architecture of Cloud Enterprise Systems and their integration to other corporate systems and applications. Based on business requirements, user needs and regulatory compliance, this role leads the selection, customization and introduction of SaaS systems, enterprise PaaS systems and cloud-based applications and services.
The ICT Manager works in close collaboration with other senior architects in ICTD and other UN agencies to establish and maintain a cohesive, secure and well-integrated ecosystem of capabilities that enhance the pace of application delivery and solutions fit-for-purpose medium to long-term.
This role also acts as a technical lead and project manager for organizational IT projects related to the domain of expertise, ensuring implementation in terms of scope, budget and timelines and identifying business requirements and recommending a technical approach to meet these needs and generate design specifications for technology development.
This position is under the supervision of the Chief, Technology Architecture and Operations and supervises 4 fixed-term ICT Specialists at the P-3 level. This position may also supervise the work of Temporary Appointments and Consultants. The role is also responsible for the management of vendors who deliver a portfolio of high-value digital products to UNICEF.
Key responsibilities
Design and Management of Global Cloud Platforms and Integration services
• Lead the design and implementation of the global technical roadmaps for Cloud Hosting, Integration and Collaboration Services.
• Analyze technology trends in the market and the UN system to determine the potential impact on UNICEF systems architecture with a particular focus on cloud services.
• Review, modify, optimize, and improve existing cloud systems and integrations in accordance with best practices and evolving cybersecurity requirements.
• In coordination with TAO unit leads and other ICTD sections and in collaboration with other stakeholders, designs and establishes technical guidelines, standards, and procedures for these cloud services.
• In partnership with Business Relationship Managers, Division of Financial and Administrative Management and Programmes Group, lead the expansion of Cloud Platforms and Services to address the needs of new UNICEF managed digital program interventions.
• In partnership with Application Platforms Senior Architect collaborate in technical aspects of the Global Enterprise Agreements for Microsoft and Amazon Web Services related to Cloud Hosting.
• Analyze technical, legal and commercial value of using cloud services to extend new and existing system lifespan and functionalities.
• Liaise with other solution architects in ICTD and the UN to specify and deliver integration components in support of corporate and Technology for Development applications.
• Evaluate and manage vendors and partnerships to ensure that UNICEF derives the most value and oversee related consultant activities and deliverables.
• Works closely with other section leads, ICT Manager (CORE Services), ICT Manager (Application Platform Services) and ICT Manager (Enterprise Network Services)
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert and focal point for Cloud Hosting services within the ICTD Architecture Group and manages the technical aspects of the cloud commissioning process:
• Contribute to the review and clarification of business capabilities met by current systems, gaps, and a desirable end state.
• In collaboration with other ICTD Architecture Group members, review and propose solution approach ideas for new business cases by selecting the best options and providing strategic direction in the architecture, design and integration of platform services.
• Contribute in identifying future recurrent costs for posts, non-posts, licenses, maintenance, and enhancement in new digital products.
• Identify key vendors, partners, and Long-Term Agreements, and contribute to ensuring solution designs fulfil all technical and non-technical requirements.
• Educate ICTD and field teams on the implementation of new cloud technologies and initiatives.
• Analyze and advise on UNICEF business, regulatory and compliance requirements around the UNICEF technology ecosystem.
IT Project Management
• Under the oversight of the Chief of Section, acts as a Project Manager and technical Supplier for IT projects initiated by Technology Architecture and Operations (TAO) Section, Cloud Hosting unit.
• Prepares project plans, scope, and delivery of the assigned projects and ensures that all solutions are delivered on time, on budget and aimed at realizing business value by applying best practices and techniques in project and change management.
• Responsible during project assignments for identifying business requirements and recommending a technical approach to meet those needs and generate design specifications for technology development.
• On an ad hoc basis, leads an incubator project that will take a strategically significant new or innovative technology or architectural approach. Such projects will create the foundations for organizational strategic platforms on which future critical business systems may depend. Significant experience of major systems architecture is needed to ensure that a robust and scalable solution is developed.
Leadership and People Management
• Strategically lead, supervise, develop, and empower staff under supervision.
• Promote culture of performance management, providing timely guidance, feedback and support to supervisees.
• Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Promote a team environment of staff well-being, accessibility and inclusion.
• Develop work plans and targets based on strategic division and organizational priorities.
Any other duties assigned by the Section Chief.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or higher) in computer science, information systems, or a related field.
- A first University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
- Work Experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience with Microsoft Azure, M365 including hands-on service management experience in:
- Azure subscriptions, Azure PaaS and Azure Managed Applications
- Enterprise Developer Collaboration Platforms management (Azure DevOPS, GitHub enterprise etc.)
- DevOps practices and tools including Azure DevOps and Azure Pipelines, and hands-on of CI/CD, IaC, automated testing and observability.
- Microsoft Entra (Azure AD, Azure AD B2C and related Identity Services)
- Experience with scripting and automation for managing Infrastructure and Platform deployments (IaC, Powershell, Azure CLI, Terraform, Bicep, Azure Resource Manager, etc.).
- SharePoint Online
- Microsoft Power Platform Administration
- Intune (Mobile Applications and Devices Management)
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and technologies and how they apply to the Microsoft Cloud Ecosystem.
- Extensive experience designing landing zones in Azure and managing workloads at scale with mixed responsivity models (central, shared and delegated).
- Experience leading a technical team.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Desirables:
- Agile methodology and practices.
- Experience working with cross-functional development teams.
- Previous experience with Amazon Web Services
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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
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.
Additional benefits for eligible international professional staff members include:
- Paid holidays and leave, including 2.5 days of annual leave accrual per month and 10 official holidays per year
- Paid parental leave (maternity, paternity and adoption)
- Dependency allowance
- Rental subsidy
- Relocation support
- Home leave travel
- Education grant for children in school
- United Nations-sponsored medical and dental insurance plan, pension plan, and optional life insurance plan
- Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning, and learning path
- Access to staff well-being and career development support
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 female applicants are encouraged to apply.
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.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.