Position Title: Chief, Infrastructure and Operations Unit
Duty Station: Valencia, Spain
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 16 April 2023
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Context:
The Infrastructure and Operations Unit, headed by the Chief, Infrastructure and Operations Unit provides leadership in delivery and maintenance of enterprise infrastructure, platforms, and operations. The Unit consists of three main Teams: 1) Networks and Connectivity, 2) Cloud Engineering and Platforms and 3) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Services and Operations.
Under the direct supervision of the Director of ICT/CIO, the Chief, Infrastructure and Operations Unit will be responsible for planning and managing the enterprise-wide technology infrastructure strategy, architecture, standards, and transformation.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Formulate the strategy and framework for, and direct all work related to, the operation of theInternational Organization for Migration’s (IOM) global ICT infrastructure, including telecommunications and computer systems, platform integration between IOM Headquarters (HQ) and Country Offices (CO), conference services and data centre services both cloud and on-premises; and, ensure agility and responsiveness to evolving business objectives, requirements, and growth.
- Advise the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and critical business sectors on capabilities in relation to business continuity and direct the implementation and maintenance of such capabilities with regards to IOM’s global ICT infrastructure.
- Define and direct the portfolio of work and exercise significant and strategic human and financial asset management. Flexibly deploy and redeploy resources into value-added activities and away from areas without comparative advantage in accordance with the Results-Based Management Framework and underpinned by major service level agreements and key performance indicators.
- Assess and authorize innovative sourcing strategies for the provision of ICT infrastructure both at IOM HQ and CO and ensure the management of the same.
- Plan and direct major tenders related to ICT technical services and operations. Manage critical and complex contracts or agreements with external service providers or partners. Develop solutions to unprecedented or unique problems. Anticipate and manage changes to internal processes and staff competencies.
- Lead the ICT Service Management and the Service delivery activities spreading a culture of customer-centric orientation within the division.
- Seamlessly integrate ICT technology roadmaps and operations strategies into overall enterprise architecture eco-system. Lead the long-term strategic thinking for all ICT systems architecture in coordination with business and ICT stakeholders; Lead the development of IOM’s technology roadmap, design and consolidate enterprise-wide technology infrastructure and platforms.
- Organize resources, establish priorities for and direct the implementation of major ICT technical projects aimed at developing or reinforcing critical ICT capabilities, ensuring that they improve service delivery, deliver business value, and are implemented on time, within the allocated resources, and in line with information security requirements.
- Maintain keen awareness of technological developments, the needs of the Organization and industry best practice, and advise Senior and Executive Management on the opportunities and implications for innovation or risk mitigation. Consult within ICT and with other Directors and senior staff in business sectors to ensure that overall ICT infrastructure capability and capacity meet current and future business expectations. Identify and proactively manage risk management processes to avoid critical ICT-related service outages.
- Represent IOM and provide authoritative expertise and strategic advice at international, regional and national meetings.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Business Management, or a related field with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.
- Industry professional certification of any areas above will be a distinct advantage.
Experience
- At least ten years of IT experience in relevant industry experience, including five years in a leadership role;
- At least eight years’ experience in at least two IT disciplines (such as technical architecture, solution architecture, network design/management, cloud technologies, middleware design and integration, database management or ICT operations management) in a heterogeneous environment;
- Experience in design/management or Implementation of large-scale, enterprise applications; Exposure to Data Centre Optimization, Data Centre Management Processes, Virtualization, public cloud services (AWS and/or Azure); • Experience in multi-vendor service management;
- At least six years’ experience working with multi-national or multicultural environment; and,
- Executive leadership/technology team management experience leading, managing and mentoring global teams’ growth and performance;
- Experience with cloud implementations (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), SOA, APIs, open data, microservices, MS SharePoint and Dynamics, event-driven IT and predictive analytics.
Skills
- Advanced knowledge of business re-engineering principles and processes; Good understanding of Design thinking, planning and conducting user research, user testing, A/B testing, rapid prototyping;
- Strong leadership, negotiation and motivational skills, with the ability to influence business and technical groups at senior levels within and beyond the organisation;
- A proven record of delivering complex projects whilst working under pressure, managing stakeholder expectations throughout;
- Ability to “think big” and challenge conventional wisdom regarding technology refresh and hype;
- Demonstrated multi-vendor management;
- Excellent relationship building, collaboration and verbal and written communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to build consensus among many stakeholders; and,
- Comfortable with ambiguity and willing to principled bets on new technology.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of either French or Spanish is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Notes
This position is classified as “Tenured”. The selected candidate will be subject to a maximum tenure of (a) 8 years of service, if they did not hold other positions within IOM at the duty station of the tenured post, and (b) 11 years of service at the duty station, if they held other staff positions at the current IOM duty station of the tenured post (regardless of position type or contract type). Upon reaching the maximum tenure, the incumbent must vacate the position.
Previous applicants do not need to re-apply
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
- Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3
- Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3
- Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
- Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
- Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
- Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.