• Country: Istanbul, Turkey
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-02-02

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region (EURO) through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information & communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, and staff wellness and well-being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of EURO to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region’s structures, reinforce a client-oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well-being. The purpose of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Unit is to provide and oversee innovative, effective, and value-for-money digital and technology solutions throughout the WHO European Region, including country offices and geographically dispersed offices, as well as to the UN City located in Copenhagen, Denmark. ICT ensures connectivity, quality equipment, digital solutions, data access to and security, and customer support to optimize a digital WHO to deliver its strategic goals (three billion targets). ICT further provides connectivity, communication technology, and client support to staff in the UN City, Copenhagen.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Manager, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Unit, the incumbent provides technical service and expertise for Cloud infrastructure management to ensure stable and secure applications hosting in the Cloud, along with robust business continuity readiness within the European Region. This role encompasses the design, deployment, and optimization of Azure Cloud infrastructure and services, including implementing and managing cloud-based network and firewall components, protocols, and Cloud-specific software solutions.

1)    Operational support to a high-performing and secure hosting environment for EURO:

–       Oversees and optimizes the ICT infrastructure for EURO, focusing on cloud-based systems, primarily within Microsoft Azure, while ensuring optimal performance across all hosting platforms, including any remaining on-premises systems.

–       Manages and monitors the WHO EURO component of the LAN, WAN and network security in EURO and the region, with an increased emphasis on cloud networking solutions and high availability of network connectivity within Azure.

–       Utilizes Azure monitoring analysis tools to measure the performance of applications, web interfaces and databases, ensuring high availability and integrity of systems managed by EURO, and aligning with Azure-specific performance metrics.

–       Ensures robust business continuity readiness for all applications and systems hosted in EURO.

–       Implements and manages cybersecurity processes within the Azure environment, addresses risks, and applies remediation measures on identified threats in liaison with HQ, while ensuring the effective operation of cloud-native security tools.

–       Liaises as delegated by supervisor with external suppliers and contractors to maintain and enhance EURO’s hosting and network capabilities within the Azure cloud, ensuring alignment with cloud-specific operational requirements and best practices.

–       Troubleshoots, diagnoses and acts on reported problems with infrastructure systems in EURO and the region, escalating complex performance and security issues to other teams within ICT, HQ, and externally where needed.

2)    Design and implementation of solutions to meet business requirements for infrastructure:

–       Collaborates with technical and administrative units to understand and define business problems, proposing secure Azure-based solutions for running EURO applications in liaison with HQ, including supporting the integration of applications hosting solutions into the network.

–       Provides advice on the performance and security of applications hosted on Azure, recommending improvements in the performance and security of EURO applications and assisting in their Cloud-based implementation.

–       Conducts analysis to assess opportunities for leveraging Cloud infrastructure to meet business requirements, making suggestions focusing on Azure’s capabilities and services.

–       Applies WHO’s respective project management methodology, aligning it with cloud architecture best practices in the design and implementation of cloud infrastructure projects.

–       Supports the procurement of infrastructure services, specifically for Azure, by providing detailed technical specifications and cost estimates, ensuring alignment with Azure’s service offerings and capabilities.

3)    Support in the development of technology roadmap and documentation for ICT Cloud infrastructure in the region:

–       Maintains and updates a technology roadmap, including scenarios and options that guide the evolution of the region’s Cloud infrastructure and security services, ensuring alignment with the latest capabilities and services.

–       Advises Manager, ICT Unit and business owners on potential improvements in WHO applications and solutions that could be implemented using cloud solutions and technologies.

–       Manages a test environment within Azure, implementing pilot projects and testing new Azure technologies and features to evaluate their applicability and efficiency in meeting regional ICT needs.

–       Supports building capacity for cloud usage and ensures operational continuity of the cloud infrastructure, focusing on cloud resilience and scalability.

–       Prepares detailed technical documentation, including end-user documentation and operational procedures.

–       Maintains service catalogue related to Cloud responsibilities, develops and maintains Cloud-focused documentation, drafts service level agreements, and standard operations procedures based on Cloud best practices.

4)    Other relevant duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in computer engineering, computer sciences or other relevant discipline. For internal WHO candidates, equivalent work experience as per e-Manual III.4.1.220 may replace the educational qualifications.

Desirable: University degree (Master’s level) in any of the above fields. Microsoft Azure certifications. Project Management and ITIL certifications would be assets.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of professional experience with Cloud infrastructure platforms such as in Microsoft Azure; 2 years of experience with Software Engineering best practices; Networking experience load balancing, network security, and standard protocols; Experience in debugging issues involving networks, storage, DNS, HTTP, Linux, Windows; Proficiency in scripting languages such as Shell, PowerShell and Python; Background in cloud security and application security.

Desirable: Experience with automating infrastructure creation using Azure DevOps pipelines; Experience with automating application deployment pipelines using Azure DevOps; Experience in Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) such as Azure DevOps and GitHub; Relevant experience in Infrastructure as Code (including languages such as Terraform) and Configuration Management tools. Experience with virtualization and container platforms (Docker, VMWare, Kubernetes, etc.); API life-cycle management.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing Results
5. Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of 1 WHO/EURO lang.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 50,377 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3379 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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