UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to protection

How can you make a difference? 

The Senior ICT Associate (Digital Impact Empowerment) is a member of the ICT Section in Port Sudan under the Empowerment Unit. The section provides digital platform maintenance, internet connectivity, T4D support, and service delivery operations for UNICEF Sudan Country Office and field offices. 

In addition to network infrastructure, UNICEF Sudan is increasingly relying on locally developed digital platforms such as VISION Hub, Visa Tracker, Headcount Tracker, PD Digital Clearance Tracker and others. These platforms support operational efficiency, data consistency through the field structure, and enable cost-effective process automation. 

To ensure continuity, sustainability, documentation and capacity building for these systems, the T4D & Empowerment Unit provides second-line operational support, documenting changes, validating data quality, supporting end users, and maintaining digital governance in alignment with UNICEF standards. This GS-7 role provides technical and operational support to sustain existing platforms, working under the direct supervision of the Digital Impact Officer. 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support Digital Platforms and Empowerment (T4D/Digital Systems Support)  
   • Provide Level 2 user support for digital solutions (e.g., VISION Hub, Visa Tracker, Headcount Tracker, PD Digital Clearance Tracker, NFR system and similar tools). 
   • Support data validation and follow-up on incorrect or missing data entries. 
   • Maintain documentation, system logs, service catalogues, training materials, and SharePoint structures. 
   • Assist in troubleshooting Power Apps, SharePoint lists, approval workflows and system logic. 
   • Ensure access control and permissions follow UNICEF governance standards. 
   • Support basic training sessions or orientation for new system users and field offices. 
   • Manage change logs, feature requests and user feedback trackers. 
   • Participate in testing and quality checks when new versions or lists are released. 
   • Support digital asset maintenance, archives, and service documentation in SharePoint or Wiki. 
   • Any other task assigned by the supervisor.  
2. LAN/WiFi Support  
   • Support the management and monitoring of Meraki network in the country office and all field offices including MX appliances, MX and MR or bridges dispatched all over the country. 
   • While UNICEF strategy continues to evolve towards migrating data Center to cloud, however the Senior ICT should provide day-to-day operational support to the on-prem data centers in multitude aspects: (networking, cabling, cooling, backup power, environment monitoring) 
   • Assist offices with the deployment of Meraki network appliances either in flat, redundant, or routed mode. 
   • In coordination with the Supervisor Implement traffic shaping, content filtering, access control and Network Access policies. 
   • Assist offices with the deployment of the standard corporate WiFi solution (WAP2 Enterprise 802.1X) UWIFI3.1 
   • Support in establishing a Minimum Bandwidth for Business (MBB) for UNICEF Sudan offices, ensuring minimum quantity of network bandwidth that an office is recommended to have to ensure that an acceptable user experience.  
   • Any other task assigned by the Supervisor. 
3. Maintain UNICEF’s Wide Area Network (WAN)  
   • • Assist the Digital Impact ICT officer in configuring and managing local internet service providers and keep UPDATED documentation of all ISP tech info (IPs, link utilization, LTAs, account manager contacts, tickets ...etc.)  
     • Assist offices with the deployment of standard security policies for edge appliances, including layer 3/7 firewalls, content filtering, intrusion prevention, threat protection and VPN hubs/spokes. 
     • Assist offices with the configuration of standard connectivity protocols or services including DHCP, routing, path selection (SD-WAN, SD-Internet) and QoS. 
     • Assist in day-to-day management and oversight of offices with managed VSATs, ensuring that the satellite vendors are delivering as intended while responding effectively to unexpected challenges. 
     • monitor all sites health and status in country office & field offices by checking, dashboard, sensors, power levels, data usage and SLAs.  
     • establish and facilitate communications between country offices and local ISP, satellite vendors.

   This includes new site installations, moves, changes, decommissioning and invoicing escalations. 

   • • Assist the DPSD ICT officer in developing contingency plans to address potential issues that may arise in network connectivity during the mission, hardware failures, or communication outages. These plans outline how to mitigate risks and maintain our business objectives. 
     • collaborate with other teams, such as Digital Foundation & Guardrails, Admin, Supply, Finance, service providers, network engineers, country, or regional office LSAs, to ensure smooth internet connectivity. 
     • Any other task assigned by the supervisor. 
4. Support Network Operations and Rollouts
   • Provide level 2 day-to-day network-related technical support to country office and all field offices.
   • Troubleshoot, solve, or escalate network incidents within SLA targets. 
   • Maintain the network equipment inventory, licenses, and services. 
   • Identify potential gaps in existing campus networks and suggest upgrades. 
   • Assist the Digital Impact officer to engage with the Digital Foundation Team workforce prior to migrations or releases. 
   • In coordination with the Digital Impact officer, manage and release various ICT items including the backup power banks and keep updated records. 
   • Any other task assigned by the supervisor. 

     5. Maintain Documentation and Assist in Procurement Activities 

     • Maintain network related guidelines, Wiki, FAQs, knowledge articles and SharePoint sites. 
     • Support, organize and conduct webinars, training workshops and clinics to build internal capacity or to introduce new solutions and services. 
     • Guide Digital Impact section on procurement of network equipment by providing standard technical specifications and responding to requests for clarification. 
     Any other task assigned by the supervisor. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD - Senior ICT Associate_GS7-Digital Empowerment T4D .docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  •  University bachelor’s degree in computer science, Networking, Telecommunications, or a related field are desirable. 

• Work Experience:

  A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience working with network infrastructure operations and administration is required, including experience in: 

  • Meraki LAN, WiFi, and WAN implementations 
  Supporting users or branch offices in any network related field 

  Experience managing networks in multi-country organizations (private or public sector) is highly desirable. 

• Skills:
• Demonstrated understanding of Meraki networking concepts including TCP/IP, VLANs, network security, IP routing, WiFi, VPNs, redundancy is required. 
• Familiarity and experience with Cisco’s offering and product lines is highly desirable. 
• Cisco Meraki certification and ITIL are highly desirable. 
• Certification or proven experience in several of these ICT technical competencies: network administration/monitoring software, Windows Server/Client platforms, Microsoft Office 365, Video Conferencing, and related hardware is desirable. 
• Familiarity with Azure networking is desirable. 
• Language Requirements: 
• Fluency in English & Arabic is required. Fluency in an additional UN official language (Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian) is an asset.   

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) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.

Remarks:

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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable females are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.