UNDP Jobs - 75258- System Design and Administration Specialist (Prior

System Design and Administration Specialist (Priority for Kuwaiti Nationals)

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Oct-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months

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

UNDP and the Government of the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills in order to effectively deliver on their mandates under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD is also working to improve human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning. The aim is to support GSSCPD attain the ability to deliver effectively on its mandate.

GSSCPD is responsible for elaborating, coordinating and overseeing the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP) which addresses the challenges of economic development, human and social development, the efficiency of the state institutions and administration and combating corruption, in accordance with H.H. the Amir’s State Vision “Kuwait 2035”.

Within this context, GSSCPD is seeking to recruit a System Design and Administration specialist who will provide technical advice to the office of the undersecretary general for development support and Information Systems Centre Department on development and managing GSSCPD IT systems’ projects. The assignment will contribute to the following:

KNDP Pillar (Modernized Infrastructure): this pillar includes the modernization of the national infrastructure for the enhancement and development of information and communication technology, transport, logistical support, trade, production and distribution of electrical power in Kuwait.
KNDP Objective: Development of legislations, tools, methodologies, and systems for planning and follow-up, and to develop criteria of selection for the development projects.
Index: Use of Information and communication technology Index (World Economic Forum).

The assignment will also contribute to the following ICDI/KNDP project outputs:

Output 1.1: Improved human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) for development support, and in coordination with the Head of Information Systems Center Department, and ICDI/KNDP project management team, the System Design and Administration specialist expecting to achieve the following responsibilities:

Integrated working environment developed, information security enhanced, effectiveness and efficiency of GSSCPD operational procedures strengthened through the design, development, and effective management of GSSCPD IT systems projects

Conduct a comprehensive situation analysis exercise of the current ICT environment, infrastructure, and procedures of GSSCPD and identify gaps and recommend an action plan including alternative and options with proper justification, and set of requirements (hardware, software, training, etc…);
Follow-up on the implementation of the action plan, and provide periodic progress reports on the plan implementation;
Provision of technical advice to ensure strengthened integration of GSSCPD systems and complementarity with applications of other government entities;
Review current Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery BCDR plans, and suggest set of actions with justification for its development;
Provide expert input and clarifications regarding ICT projects and infrastructure to GSSCPD upon request;
Review request state regulatory firms (such as State Audit Bureau, Ministry of Finance, etc...) and provide remarks to support formulating GSSCPD response in areas related to the ICT systems projects;
Provide technical advice to the process of drafting terms of references, and technical specifications for RFPs, or RFQs for implementation of ICT solutions, and estimations of required budget;
Provide an urgent report on any emerging security risk or issue related to the GSSCPD systems with recommendations and proper justification as indicated by the consultants’ supervisor;
Provide quarterly report on the status of systems security, and the implementation of BCDR plan;
Provide Monthly reports on the progress of implementation of GSSCPD ICT projects.

Technical Capacities of concerned GSSCPD staff strengthened, through provision of comprehensive training programmes based on a thorough assessment:

Based on thorough assessment, identify the coaching and training needs related to ASG office and the Department of Information Systems Centre at GSSCPD and develop a training plan to address them;
Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the ASG office and the Department of Information Systems Centre Department to enable them to implement their duties.
Provide continuous support to various departments at GSSCPD in relation to planning and monitoring the implementation of various KNDP related projects;
Present monthly reports to the GSSCPD and Project Management Team highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations for the way forward.
Conduct workshop trainings as requested by the department.

Methodology

While implementing the scope of this terms of reference, the consultants is expected to follow the following: a) PMI guidelines of project management, b) ISO 2700x standards of Security, c) TOGAF Enterprise Architecture framework.

Indicative approaches:

As indicated above, a key objective and approach in this assignment is to is to provide technical support to developing an integrated working environment, enhance information security, and effectiveness and efficiency of operational procedures of GSSCPD using automation. The consultants will be responsible for the development of the design and administration of all GSSCPD IT systems’ projects including Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery BCDR plans. Additionally, the assignment should give an equal focus to support the continues efforts of needs based training and capacity development of national staff at GSSCPD.

Outputs and Deliverables:

A Work Plan at the outset of the assignment including- 2 weeks;
A training plan for the ASG’s and Information Systems Center Department staff- End of Month 3;
A report on comprehensive situation analysis exercise of the current ICT environment, infrastructure, and procedures of GSSCPD and identify gaps and recommend an action plan including alternative and options with proper justification, and set of requirements (hardware, software, training, etc… ) – 2 months from the start date of the assignment.
Monthly and quarterly progress reports as per standard templates- Ongoing.
Comprehensive and detailed monthly reports in Arabic and English containing the states and the future milestone for GSSCPD ICT projects implementation, and the progress on the developed action plan.
A Quarterly report on the status of systems security, and the implementation of BCDR plan,

Roles and Coordination Requirements

The Specialist will work under the direct management of the Assistant Secretary General (ASG’s) for Development Support at the GSSCPD. The Specialist will also indirectly report to the Head of Information Systems Centre Department, and ICDI/KNDP project management team based at the GSSCPD by submitting regular reports on progress and impact of the assignment.

Competencies

The System Design and Administration Specialist should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

Functional competencies:

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Understands more advanced aspects of social development as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines ?
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for social planning.
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of public policy development and international organisations and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Conceptual Innovation in the provision of technical expertise

Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches;?
Ensures that the design of policies are appropriate to regional and country social and development context;
Leverages multi disciplinary, institutional knowledge and experience of other countries and regions to promote UNDP’s. development agenda.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Minimum MSc in computer science, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or any related field.

Experience

Minimum of 15 years of proven experience in the area of management or Development of ICT systems.
Minimum of 5 years proven experience in a supervisory role in ICT or ERP systems administration, or systems procedures analysis,
Certifications in Enterprise Architecture Development, Information Security Management Systems, and Database administration is an advantage.
Experience in project management as an advantage
Recognized Project Management Certificate is an advantage
Experience in working with participatory approaches;
Familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;
Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Language requirement

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is a must.

Note:

This position will be on governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.
As part of the application, the applicant must attach a CV.