Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in Bogota within the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The Information Systems Officer (Chief Service Manager team) will report to the Chief Field Technology Unit under the Operations and Resource Management Section within Mission Support Division.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Information Systems Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Plans and directs all major information systems within the Mission, monitoring the progress of the systems analysis, design, development, testing, and implementation of new, moderately complex systems, and/or participating as a member of a team with responsibility for major components of the more complex systems.
Manages the budget of the Field Technology Unit, formulating and managing budget allocations and expenditures, verifying funding, and ensuring no overrun occurs.
Develops technical specifications for the procurement of equipment and contractual services and coordinates the technical evaluation of offers and proposals received.
Develops and recommends strategies to implement global Information systems originating out of the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), the Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Mission.
Develops, implements, and monitors information systems standards, guidelines, and procedures.
Develops detailed systems and other functional specifications and user documentation for systems as required.
Provides specialized advice to users, analyzing users' requirements and translating those into new applications; determines application system integration and linkage issues.
Maintains, upgrades, or enhances existing user systems; troubleshoots and provides continuing support, including resolving difficult problems, advising on the use of new techniques, monitoring transactions to measure performance and continued effectiveness of assigned systems, etc.
Develops training materials, operating and user manuals; trains staff in assigned systems.
Develops disaster recovery plans relating to information systems and ensures appropriate planning and training of those responsible.
Research, analyses, and evaluates new technologies and makes recommendations for their deployment.
Participates in writing reports and papers on systems-related topics, system requirements, information strategy, etc.
Provides professional leadership and work direction for the team, develops the yearly work plan, mentors and supervises personnel of the team. Internet-working and infrastructure:
Leads the team in the operation and maintenance of internet-working systems that include operating systems platforms, database management systems, workstations, and related equipment.
Responsible for the proper implementation of backup and recovery procedures.
Handles all aspects of contract administration, including establishment of service level agreements with vendors and charge-back policy for users.
Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Substantive knowledge in Information Systems, including possession of good supervisory skills and extensive knowledge of Information Technology (IT) policies, structure, and strategies. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations and prepare reports or justification in respect to key administrative decisions. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information systems and business operational issues. Ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems.
Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
ITIL foundation V4 or V5 (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) certification is required. PRINCE 2 Foundation & Practitioner Certification is desirable. Certification at the foundational level in cloud technologies, such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform (GPC), is desirable. Supervisory Skills for Future ICT Managers is desirable. Training at the foundational level in Generative AI, preferably with Microsoft Copilot/Azure Copilot solutions, is desirable. Technical training certification in information Systems, such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten
(10) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, developing, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related areas is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to five
(5) for candidates who possess at least a first-level university degree. Experience in budget, managing diverse staff, service contracts and performance management and reporting is desirable. Experience using a major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is desirable. Two
(2) years of experience providing services in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer Information systems or related areas in a field operation (conflict or post-conflict setting) of the United Nations Common System or comparable international organization is desirable. Experience managing and overseeing large centralized and globally distributed institutional systems is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Spanish are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Spanish | UN Level II | UN Level I | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2):
(1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and
(2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
At the United Nations, 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. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.
Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4 For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 June 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China (People's Republic of), Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations 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.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.