UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built – we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career, while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, a digital future
How can you make a difference?
The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF’s Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally through innovative technology-enabled solutions.
The Core Infrastructure Services unit is the team of IT professionals responsible for “IT of IT”, including architecture and engineering of internal IT systems supporting the UNICEF mission globally. Within the Cloud Strategy of ICTD, Hybrid Infrastructure relates to Right-sizing and Right-locating mission critical systems both On-Premises as well as Public and Private clouds in a best-match for purpose. UNICEF is investing heavily in Cloud and On-Prem technologies from Microsoft and other vendors, including Azure, Entra, Windows Server, Windows Client among others. Active Directory and Server systems are one of the most critical organizational IT systems of the unit’s portfolio.
The position is under the supervision of the ICT Manager (Senior Architect, Core Infrastructure) and supervises two ICT Officers, P2 and one Senior ICT Associate, G7.
Under the supervision of the ICT Manager (Senior Architect, Core Infrastructure), the ICT Specialist (Hybrid Directory and Endpoint Management) is responsible for the overall architecture and operational support of UNICEF global Hybrid Directory Services, including both Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) as well as On-Prem Microsoft Windows Active Directory Domain Services. Working with these and other Technologies, the role ensures these services are secure, highly available, resilient, and optimized, while also complying with best practices. The specialist conducts routine health checks, administers Hybrid Identity systems function, and monitors integrity and performance of the Hybrid System elements. Additional responsibilities include overseeing PKI, Patch Management with Ivanti, and Modern Device Management with Intune, ensuring seamless synchronization and certificate lifecycle management.
The ICT Specialist collaborates with ICTD functional groups and Field ICT staff to implement and perform system configurations, software installations, and new feature implementations. They streamline operational procedures and provide SME support for virtualization infrastructure, ensuring integration with new technologies such as Identity Management and Federation Services. This role is crucial in facilitating high performance and secure operations across UNICEF's IT ecosystem, promoting the adoption of Cloud Native and Hybrid Device Identities, and leading the way in modern identity solutions for internal services.
Key responsibilities
- System Administration, Performance Monitoring, and Maintenance
- Manages and leads the staff under supervision
- Configuration, Upgrades, and Technical Architecture
- Modern Desktop Management Solutions
- Innovation, Design, Implementation of Solutions on Related Technologies
- Performs as technological leader
To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…
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- Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Computer Science, Information Systems Management and any other related fields.
- A first university degree in the above-mentioned areas combined with additional 2 years of substantive practical professional work experience may be considered in
lieu of Advanced University Degree.
- Work Experience: At Least 5 years of relevant practical work experience in Information Technology with hands on experience in Entra ID, Azure, Active Directory Domain Services, Windows Server Operating Systems, Managed Hypervisors Systems administration, and interoperation with Windows client. Experience in administering Windows Server Domains, Federation including ADFS, Authentication using SAML, Entra ID Connect, and directory service topologies and architectures is required
- Skills: Active Directory, Domain Services, Azure, Desktop Management, DevOps, Endpoint Management, Microsoft Azure, Active Directory Domain Services, Windows Server Operating Systems, System administration, Windows Server Domains, ADFS, Entra ID Connect
- Language Requirements: fluency in English
- Desirables
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- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
- Up-to-date Industry Certifications in associated Modern Desktop Management, Cloud and On-Prem Directories as well as Public Cloud like Microsoft Azure, Client and Server OS are highly desirable.
- Certification and Knowledge on Related Frameworks like ITIL, DevOps, Project Management, Source Control using Git, Infrastructure as Code are highly desirable
- Experience in leading technology implementation at enterprise level, coupled with related and practices of Automation, DevOps, Infrastructure as Code, installations, refactoring, and migrations securely provisioned in a large-scale environment with diverse networked locations is highly desirable.
For every child, you demonstrate ․․․
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are ․․․
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drives to achieve impactful results
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
Additional benefits for eligible international professional staff members include:
- Paid holidays and leave, including 2.5 days of annual leave accrual per month and 10 official holidays per year
- Paid parental leave (maternity, paternity and adoption)
- Dependency allowance
- Rental subsidy
- Relocation support
- Home leave travel
- Education grant for children in school
- United Nations-sponsored medical and dental insurance plan, pension plan, and optional life insurance plan
- Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning, and learning path
- Access to staff well-being and career development support
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
As per 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.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
UNICEF's active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.