Lead Cloud Architect

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Lead Cloud Architect is responsible to the Deputy Director, Digital Impact, Technology, and Innovation.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with the Deputy Director in formulating strategies, making key decisions, allocating budget and initiating actions for the implementation of cloud initiatives Agency-wide. Develops policies and solutions to leverage Cloud offerings and optimize the organization ‘s services and infrastructure. Researches, pilots and champions for the adoption of new cloud-related technologies and services. Facilitates the department advancement in the cloud implementation maturity by spearheading the roll-out of advanced cloud concepts. Acts as a driving force and change agent to introduce those improvements in the organisation. Oversees and ensures other teams' adherence to cloud architectural principles and best practices. Guides other technical teams in implementing concepts related to Platform as a Service, Infrastructure as Code, Containerisation, and related technologies and approaches. Maximizes organizational benefits from the expenditure and licenses in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Azure Active Directory, ensuring optimal implementation of Microsoft A5 licenses. Governs the work of the infrastructure, application and service delivery teams to ensure security, cost efficiency, reliability and adherence to architectural best practices. Utilizes diverse Microsoft and third-party tools to gather optimisation recommendations for Azure, Azure AD and Microsoft 365 configuration. Analyses the information obtained from these tools to formulate and implement improvement programmes. Leads organisational projects involving Artificial Intelligence, including proposing use cases, developing technical solutions, piloting initiatives and introducing change.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. Deciding and Initiating Action Delivering Results Applying Technical Expertise Innovating and Taking Risks Formulating Strategies and Concepts Learning and Researching Persuading and Influencing Ability to convey complex technical concepts and recommendations to non-technical staff at senior levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear and concise manner. For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in computer science, information management systems, computer engineering or another related discipline.

Job - Specific Qualification

Relevant Microsoft Azure certifications, such as Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert or certificates that are prerequisites for these credentials is required.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in IT is required. At least two years of hands-on-experience in implementing cloud technology solutions is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in computer science, information management systems, computer engineering or another related discipline is required Relevant Microsoft Azure certifications, such as Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert or certificates that are prerequisites for these credentials is required. Knowledge of the mandate and mission of UNRWA as well as the cultural, political and social environment in which it operates is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent of this post will be required to travel throughout the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/United Nations

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.