INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems.

Head, Common Software Platform Division

Vacancy notice no: 1754
Sector: BR
Department: IAP
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva

Position number: R24/P5/858
Grade: P5
Type of contract: Fixed-term
Duration of contract: 2 years with possibility of renewal
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 25 November 2024

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) is responsible for the application of the Radio Regulations and for technical and administrative support of ITU World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences, Radiocommunication Assemblies and Study Groups. The Bureau also carries out the international regulatory processes for registration of frequency assignments and satellite orbits and assists administrations in their coordination and implementation of frequency spectrum and orbit requirements as well as in resolving cases of harmful interference. It provides the specialised technical secretariat for the work of the Radiocommunication Study Groups and the Radiocommunication Assembly in the development of recommendations for spectrum utilisation and radio system characteristics. The BR is organised into four Departments: Space Services Department, Terrestrial Services Department, Informatics, Administration and Publications Department and the Study Groups Department.

The Informatics, Administration and Publications Department (IAP) comprises of three Divisions: Space Applications Software (SAS), Terrestrial Applications Software (TAS) and Business Operations and Planning Division (BOP). The Department is responsible for the development and maintenance of software and related tools used by the BR as well as software adapted for national frequency management units, providing the necessary user support for the areas concerned. It carries out studies related to policies for the technologies to be used for the information and computational systems within the BR and with administrations in the fields of management of the radio frequency spectrum and the various satellite orbits. The Department is responsible for managing all aspects of the BR's operations, including the development of BR operational plans, organizational support of ITU-R conferences and meetings, BR project management processes and procedures, BR text editing and publications, as well as promotion and membership. The Department is also responsible for human resources management and planning for the BR.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, BR and Chief of Informatic, Administration & Publications Department (IAP), the Head of the new Common Software Platforms Division (CSP) serves as a leader for the team of the Division and provides cutting edge and authoritative expertise for all assigned responsibilities within prescribed time, cost and quality standards and foster collaborative spirit and cooperation to achieve results. The incumbent is responsible for the development and maintenance of software and related tools used in the BR. The Head of Division operates in compliance with organizational rules and takes responsibility towards the successful achievement of delegated assignments. The incumbent performs the following duties:

• Leads and provides strategic guidance to the team; establishes objectives; identifies training requirement and evaluates their performance; plans the work priorities and staffing requirements of the Division; fosters teamwork and leadership in order to achieve the planned objectives laid down in BR operational plans.
• Leads the BR’s initiative towards the adoption and implementation of a common platform approach for BR core mandate software systems; oversees the establishment and the maintenance of a comprehensive inventory of BR software applications and systems.
• Follows and keep abreast of the latest developments in the domain of software platforms, technologies, and methodologies and proposes approaches to modernize BR core mandate software and improve software development practices in the BR; oversees the prototyping of core mandate software platform solutions and the selection and/or development and maintenance of tools to support core mandate software platforms.
• Leads the BR Cloud Migration Task Force; organizes and chairs meetings of the Task Force; coordinates and collaborates with in-house and external cloud experts to propose cloud migration roadmaps and best practices.
• Serves as focal point for software risk management in BR; organizes and chairs meetings on software risk management; coordinates and collaborates with in-house and external risk management and ORMS experts to review software risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Leads the BR IT Security Task Force; participates actively in the IS department’s initiatives concerning ITsecurity; collaborates with BR software development teams to introduce or expand the regular use of security code analysis tools as part of the software development process.
• Reports on a regular basis to the RMC on the progress of the initiatives within the Division’s purview.
• Liaises and coordinates with other Divisions' Heads in BR Departments and the General Secretariat concerning matters relating to the Division's field of activity; represents BR in IT-related ITU-wide committees and projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Analysis, Judgement and Decision Making Client and Service Orientation Innovation and Facilitating Change Leadership Networking and Building Partnerships Planning and Organising Successful Management

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Established and demonstrable competence as software architect.
• Deep understanding of software development concepts and platforms.
• Very good knowledge of software technologies, and how to assess software technologies and components for integration into a coherent system that best meets BR core mandate system requirements.
• A cross-cutting view of BR core mandate software developments would be an asset, including:
  • Very good knowledge of using relational databases.
  • Knowledge of SQL and of programming languages related to engineering applications e.g. Fortran, Visual Basic.
  • Knowledge of object-oriented software development and very good knowledge of the computer programming language C++ and/or C#.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in software engineering, computer science, technology management (or a related field, but a combination of software engineering/computer science and technology management is an asset), OR education in a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above. For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with fifteen years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:

At least ten years of progressively responsible experience, of which at least five at the international level, in the field of engineering and software design. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience. Experience in solving scientific and engineering problems via software design and implementation.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary:
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.

Annual salary from $ 92,731 + post adjustment $ 89,671

Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to:
https://jobs.itu.int/content/What-we-offer/?locale=en_US

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU Careers website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.