Deputy Director, Digital Impact, Technology & Innovation Department

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 Deputy Director of the Digital Impact, Technology, & Innovation Department will provide direct and indirect supervision, as well as technical guidance, to a team of international professional staff within the department.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership:

- Provides tactical technical direction and leadership for the Digital Workplace initiatives of the Digital Impact, Technology & Innovation Department (DITID), under the strategic oversight of the Director, to ensure alignment with the organizational goals and objectives. Contributes to departmental strategy development.

- Leads the implementation of management and departmental initiatives as assigned by the Director; provides guidance to the day-to-day management and operations in DITID and ensures cross sectional collaboration and integration; represents the inter-agency meetings and inter-agency cooperation projects as assigned by the Director. Acts for the Director during her/his absence, with full responsibility for DITID when designated by the Director.

Technology Leadership:

- Provides hands-on technical leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of digital solutions, ensuring their reliability, scalability, and alignment with business needs and market trends.

- Drives the adoption of emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation, to enhance organizational capabilities.

-Collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify technology requirements, assesses feasibility, and defines implementation strategies.

Digital Transformation and Innovation:

- Supports the Director and the Chief Digital Officer in identifying and executing digital transformation initiatives specifically within the Digital Workplace, ensuring that these initiatives are in line with the overall digital strategy.

- Identifies opportunities for innovation and develops strategies to enable continuous improvement and the delivery of cutting-edge digital solutions.

- Fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Stakeholder Engagement:

- Collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, including senior management, department heads, and cross-functional teams, to understand their technology needs and provides effective solutions.

- Establishes and maintains strong relationships with external partners, technology vendors, and industry experts to leverage their expertise and supports the organization's digital initiatives.

Project and Program Management:

- Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of digital projects and programs in the Digital Workplace domain, ensuring their successful delivery within scope, budget, and time with and reports on key performance indicators to the Director and the project and program governance bodies.

- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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.

Applying Technical Expertise
Delivering Results
Creating and Innovating
Innovating and Taking Risks
Formulating Strategies and Concepts
Leading and Supervising
Analyzing
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and lead cross-functional teams.
In-depth knowledge and expertise in digital technologies, such as cloud computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, ERP, automation, and digital platforms.
Strong understanding of enterprise architecture principles, system integration, software development, and infrastructure management;
Strong understanding of information security and data governance;
Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including senior management, cross-functional teams, external partners, and technology vendors;
Excellent decision-making skills, with the ability to analyze complex situations, evaluate options, and make informed decisions aligned with organizational objectives.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un. org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

- An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in computer science, information technology, or a related field.

Job - Specific Qualification

Information Technology Infrastructure Library certificate is required.

Project Management Certificate is required.

Additional certifications or specialized training in digital transformation, technology management, or related areas is desirable.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in leadership roles within the digital information technology and innovation field is required.

Experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, driving digital workplace initiatives, and implementing innovative technology solutions, including the adoption of emerging technologies, digital strategies, and transformation of business processes is required.

Experience in managing complex technology projects and programs, including experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards is required.

Experience in building strategic partnerships, fostering innovation, and driving technology enabled change 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.

Knowledge of ERP systems an knowledge of most recent cloud technologies is desirable.

Knowledge of the mandate and mission of UNRWA as well as the cultural, political and social environment in which it operates is desirable

Work experience with public sector (education, health, registration, and social services) information management systems is desirable.

Work experience in an international context is desirable

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational
institution in computer science, information technology, or a related field is required.

Languages

- Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.

- Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.

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.