UNDP Jobs - 52083- Manager Data Center Operations & Project Manager,

Manager Data Center Operations & Project Manager, Special Projects

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in over 140 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.

BoM/OIST provides centralized corporate ICT services to UNDP and partner UN agencies. Services range from networking, telecommunication, connectivity, messaging, and document workflow and enterprise resource system. Major investments and recurring expenses are made on computing, communication and technology facilities, and these facilities underpin the UNDP ICT Strategy in making available to HQ and all Country Offices different critical services. These services and their relationship with vendors/service providers and owners have to be fully managed with strict procedures on change implementation, scheduling and authorization to access. The incumbent is required to follow overall technology development, and to provide advise on and initiate best and effective practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Global Infrastructure Services, the incumbent is responsible for the UNDP’s Corporate Data Center Operations as well as acting as the Project Manager for Special Projects. The incumbent is to guide, design, manage and review all aspects of corporate production systems and facilities including servers, connectivity infrastructure. As the Project Manager for Special Initiatives, the incumbent is responsible for effectively managing projects to leverage cloud computing infrastructure and facilities including Microsoft Office 365, Azure and Google Apps for Business public cloud computing facilities for the organization’s efficiency gains.

UNDP utilizes Prince2 and Agile project methodologies and the ideal incumbent should posses strong background and experience in project management, IT costing, budgeting, resource planning and monitoring of projects in order to ensure that the projects are executed effectively and efficiently.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities include:

Function 1: Data Center Management and Operations

Ensure secure, reliable and effective computing and networking environment that facilitates user/client access to UNDP corporate computing and enterprise applications;
Liaise with vendors/service providers, application owners, users/clients and developing partners in ensuring that services are effectively managed and that the facilities meet the business requirement;
Partner with country offices in extending networking and computing facilities to partner and other UN agencies;
Implement and maintain Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity measures;
Partner with other OIST, UNDP units, Country Offices and partner agencies to ensure quality control, change management and OIST operating standards and procedures to ensure that migrating to production use.

Function 2: Project Management, Special Projects

Draft project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements;
Identify resource need and assign individual responsibilities;
Manage day-to-day operational aspects of project, scope and vendor interaction;
Review deliverables prepared by team and vendors;
Effectively apply UNDP methodology and enforces project standards;
Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately;
Minimize exposure and risk on project. Highlight and mitigate risks when necessary.

Function 3: Financial Management Support

Monitor and advise on project budget;
Accurately track and forecast project costs;
Follow up with vendors on project cost;
Assure project legal documents are completed and signed.

Function 4: Communication

Provide regular reporting to Project Board;
Facilitate team and vendor meetings effectively;
Hold regular status meetings with project team;
Effectively communicate relevant project information to superiors;
Deliver engaging, informative, well-organized presentations;
Understand how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.

Function 5: Teamwork

Effectively utilize each team member to his/her fullest potential;
Motivate team to work together in the most efficient manner;
Keep track of lessons learned and share those lessons with team members;
Mitigate team conflict and communication problems;
Manage teams across geographically distributed locations.

Competencies

Core

Corporate commitment: dedication to promote OIST mission, strategic vision, integrity, goal setting and risk management
Excellent people skills and communication skills.

Functional

Result orientation and client focus:

Promote client service and seek to produce significant and positive impact

Team player:

Project management skills and ability to build teams and/or contribute productively to teamwork.

Excellent analytical and coordination skills;
Proven ability to manage large and complex projects in an expeditious manner;
Exceptional management, organizational, and administrative skills to permit simultaneous and successful execution of project activities and liaise effectively with multiple counterparts on a continual basis in accordance with the time line of the project and its objectives;
Excellent writing and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, computer engineering, development management or other related areas (proven strength in coordination, analysis, and project management); or
Bachelors in Computer Science, Information Technology or computer engineering with at least 9 years of experience.

Work Experience

Minimum 7 years of professional experience in project management of enterprise ICT projects;
Of which minimum of 7 years professional experience in planning, designing and deploying enterprise solutions;
Solid project management skills and familiarity with project management standards, preferably PRINCE2;
Proven experience in planning technical quality assurance for large enterprise solutions, including functional, integration and performance tests;
Extensive knowledge of, and experience with project management.

Languages

Fluent in English;
Knowledge of another UN language (French or Spanish) an asset.