ICT Systems Associate - United Nations University - Yokohama, Japan

POSITION: Personnel Service Agreement

REFERENCE NO.:  2012/UNU/IAS/PSA/ICTSA/30

LOCATION: Yokohama, Japan

CLOSING DATE: 26 October 2012

Organizational Unit: UNU Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)

United Nations University objectives

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. It serves as an academic arm for the United Nations system, contributes to capacity building particularly in developing countries, and serves as a platform for new and creative ideas and dialogue. In addition to the UN University Centre (Headquarters) located in Tokyo, UN University has established fifteen research and training institutes and programmes worldwide.

United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)

UNU-IAS was inaugurated in April 1996. It conducts research, postgraduate education and capacity development, both in-house and in co-operation with an interactive network of academic institutions and international organizations. The thematic direction of UNU-IAS concerns the interactions of social and natural systems. The current research agenda focuses on strategic paths to sustainable development and under this broad theme projects focus on biodiversity, sustainable development governance, urban ecosystems, science and technology policy options for developing and least developed countries, and sustainable development education. More information on UNU-IAS, its programme of activities and academic community is available at www.ias.unu.edu.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of UNU-IAS, the ICT Systems Associate is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the entire ICT system and user support services of the Institute. In particular, he/she will oversee, manage and provide daily technical support to UNU-IAS user community and serve as an interface between IT-related scholarly activities and the UNU campus computing platform. Other duties will include:

• acting as UNU-IAS focal point for the UNU Tokyo Campus user community with respect to end-user computing problems;
• responsible for efficient, reliable, and quality  technical support in the use of  ICT equipment and services;
• responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, upgrading and securing systems software and hardware;
• responsible for network reconfiguration and system recovery in the event of system failures;
• maintaining configuration management documentation of supported systems;
• developing user documentation for the ICT facilities;
• delivering tutorials for the ICT facilities;
• configuring and managing mailing lists;
• operating media equipment and software tools, including videoconferencing and Internet broadcast facilities;
• applying off-the-shelf technologies to enhance and streamline the ICT platform;
• participating in the recommendation of software and hardware purchases;
• identifying cost-reduction opportunities via ICT;
• assisting in the Online Learning research and development project;
• keeping pace with the latest developments in the IT industry and the Internet; and
• performing other duties as required and suggested by the Director of UNU-IAS within his/her field of technical competence.

Required qualifications and experience

• A Bachelor of Science or equivalent degree from a recognized university in Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics, Engineering or a related field;
• minimum of two (2) years of IT-related work experience in an international, business or non-profit organization;
• strong knowledge of TCP/IP, UDP and other protocols, and troubleshooting experience in Servers, PCs, peripherals, LANs and WANs;
• practical exposure to the following tools and technologies:
• Cisco Router, Catalyst Layer 2/3 switches and Cisco PIX/ASA Firewalls
• VPN and VLAN
• various TCP/IP based client and server software
• CMS, Content Management System
• web casting
• database administration
• Microsoft Office suite
• multimedia software and video editing
• wireless access points
• Windows Active Directory
• MS Exchange
• Linux and bind DNS
• social media and online forums.
• fluency in both oral and written English (required. Knowledge of Japanese and United Nations official languages would be an asset);
• good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration

The monthly remuneration can range from JPY 370,000 to 500,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and years of work experience. 

Duration of contract

This is a full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-IAS, with the possibility of renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance.
Applications from suitably qualified women candidates and those from developing countries are particularly encouraged.

Starting date 

It is expected that the appointee will take up the position by 1 December 2012 or soon thereafter, subject to negotiation.

Interested applicants should submit their applications, preferably by email (to recruitment@ias.unu.edu), and must include the following:

A cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;

A curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU PersonalHistory (P.11) form. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;

Full contact information of three (3) referees (UNU-IAS will directly contact the referees in the event that the candidate is shortlisted); and

An indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2012/UNU/IAS/PSA/ICTSA/30).