Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments, and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and the rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security, and long-term development. While nearly 20 million people are estimated to be acutely food insecure, women and girls are increasingly stripped of their rights to education, employment, and free participation in public life that will have irreversible socioeconomic consequences. Over the recent years, the international humanitarian assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building, and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centers, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan, which is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of the households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts, and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges of rebuilding livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services, and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods, and self-employment employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that calls for assembling multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

The ICT unit supports the mission of the country office and projects through effective technological solutions. Its primary role is to manage and maintain the ICT infrastructure— including hardware, software, networks, and communication systems—in alignment with UNDP's global policies as outlined in the Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) portal. The unit develops and implements ICT strategies that enhance operational efficiency and supports programme delivery. The team ensures information security and data protection by adhering to UNDP's cybersecurity policies and best practices. It provides technical support and training to personnel and facilitates the effective use of ICT tools and systems. The unit is responsible for business continuity planning, ensuring critical ICT services remain operational during any disruptions. It collaborates with programme teams to integrate innovative ICT solutions into project design and implementation. Additionally, it manages vendor relationships and oversees procurement processes for ICT goods and services. By fulfilling these responsibilities, the ICT Unit and team enables the UNDP country office to leverage technology effectively, contributing to the organization's development goals.

Under the overall guidance of Operations Manager, and ICT Analyst, and the direct supervision of ICT Associate/G6, the ICT Associate/NPSA6 provides ICT services to the UNDP country office, field offices, and project teams, and implements ICT management systems and strategies, provides daily technical support to users of information management tools and technology infrastructure. The incumbent is also responsible for review and advice on the use of new technologies that will enhance the country offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure implementation of ICT strategies and introduction/implementation of new technologies.

•  Ensure compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines, and procedures for the CO technology environment.
• Participate in development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures in ICT services. 
• Conduct market research and analysis and provide support in introducing new technology for CO system updating and improvement.
• Provide advice on and assistance in procurement of new ICT equipment for the CO and projects; and provide technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets. Review quotations and bids. 
• Participate in development and implementation of ICT annual plan. Maintain the measures in place for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures. 
• Provide support to use of ERP functionality for improved business results and improved client services. 
• Provide ICT support for key events.

Ensure effective functioning of the CO hardware and software packages. 

• Support effective functioning (installation, operation, and maintenance) of all UNDP hardware equipment and acquisition of hardware supplies.
• Perform specific technical functions, including changing of hardware electronic components (disks, memories, network wiring, power sources, etc.) and making routine repairs.
• Regularly monitor system performance and user feedback and recommend improvements to optimize operations and drive strategic outcomes.

Assist in providing automation and digitalization support for both CO Operations and Programmes.

• Install commercial and in-house developed software and related upgrades.
• Support development of new automation tools using UNDP corporately developed platforms.
• Participate in developing Terms of Reference (TOR) for software products and provide monitoring and evaluation support to Programme teams during the development life cycle. 
• Support provision of in-house development of tools for programme and operations when needed.
• Assist in identifying opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web- based systems to address the issues of efficiency (e.g., office management system, donor profile software, knowledge management systems).

Ensure efficient network administration.

•  Monitor the network connection daily to ensure a stable and responsive network environment.
• Ensure UNDP desktop and network resources are protected from malicious virus attacks and deploy countermeasures in the event of attacks.
• Implement cloud-based backup and restoration procedures for local drives. Install anti-virus programs on a timely basis. 
• Respond to user needs and questions regarding network access.
• Maintain up-to-date parameters of information for the network clients and electronic mail.
• Trouble-shoot and monitor network problems. 
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory and stock of supplies and spare parts in cooperation with the Administration and Procurement Teams.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO.

• Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, and information provision.
• Participate in the organization of training for the CO staff on ICT issues.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in ICT.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies 

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Development Human-centered Design Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Business Management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillful grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others

to use them as needed

Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Information Management & Technology IT Service Delivery & OperationsAbility to deliver the IT products and services to customers at the right level of Quality and Costs, considering user experience. ISO 20000 knowledge. ITIL certification or similar desirable.

Information Management & Technology User Experience and business analyst Capacity to translate efficiently users’ needs in IT requirements around human-centered designInformation Management & Technology Configuration Management - Business analysis, requirements Knowledge of configuration management changes, ability to manage and control the configuration change management process.

Education:

• Secondary education is required with formal training in IT systems, business software and/or web-based applications. 
• A university degree in Information Technology, Information Management, Telecommunications and Computer Science will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement 

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience in network administration, web design, providing technical support for hardware/software or Cloud ERP environments, working with telecommunications facilities; and applying knowledge of database applications, web-based management systems and cloud infrastructure solutions.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Hands-on experience in design, implementation, troubleshooting and monitoring of ICT Systems, services and cloud platforms.
• Hands-on experience in design, implementation, troubleshooting and monitoring of ICT Networking services mainly Cisco Meraki Firewalls, Routers, Switches, and Wi-Fi devices, familiarity with fundamental information security concepts. 
• Knowledge of UNDP’s rules and regulations would be an advantage.
• Proven experience in and knowledge of corporate email management systems IDAM as well as ERP system.
• Experience of working in ICT sector, such as ISPs or Telecom industries.

Desired Professional Certificates:

Any of the following are desired, and not a requirement. 

• ITIL: Fundamentals, Cisco CCNA/CCNP, Microsoft 365 Certified - Fundamentals, ,  CompTIA Network +,  Microsoft Azure Fundamentals,  CompTIA A+ Core1 & Core2

Required Language:

• Fluency in English and local languages of duty station Dari and/or Pashto is required.

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.

ICT Associate - UNDP Careers

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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