Project IT Assistant (Open to internal & external applicants)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The Fiji multi-country office covers ten countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Naoero, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as provides support to regional initiatives.

UNDP in the Pacific has developed its Multi-Country Programme Document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–2027). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace. Following a strategic review process which was completed in June 2022, UNDP Pacific office structure is aligned to the emerging priorities of the office. In this regard, the programme portfolio will include mutually reinforcing work streams crafted around two clusters (i) Resilience and Climate Change; and (ii) Inclusive Growth and Effective Governance, supported by a policy and innovations team, operations team, management programme and oversight team, which provides strategic guidance on results management and compliance entrusted with the corporate alignment, programme finance management and quality assurance, and a strategic communications team, which provides knowledge management and communication support to all programme interventions. 

Fiji is among the most disaster-prone countries in the Pacific and is exposed to tropical cyclones, floods, storm surges, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic hazards, disease outbreaks and the increasing impacts of climate change. These hazards continue to affect lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, ecosystems and national development.

The National Disaster Management Act 2024 establishes the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) as the lead agency responsible for coordinating disaster risk management, disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response, and recovery and resilience-building across Fiji. The Act further provides for the establishment of Divisional Disaster Risk Management Offices to strengthen sub-national coordination and implementation of disaster risk management.

To support implementation of the National Disaster Management Act 2024, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2018–2030, the National Disaster Risk Management Plan, the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative and the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) Roadmap, the Government of Fiji, through the UNDP Green Climate Fund Programme, will recruit an IT Assistant to manage and optimize its ICT infrastructure, enterprise platforms, and disaster information systems, while accelerating digital transformation initiatives across Fiji's emergency management system.

Working under the technical direction of the National Coordinator and the Project Manager - EW4All, the Project IT Assistant will ensure the continuous operation (24/7 operational readiness), security, interoperability, real-time disaster monitoring, multi-agency coordination, rapid public warning dissemination and enhancement of NDRMO's critical disaster information systems, including: the National Disaster Information System (NDRIS), the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (NDRRP) Online M&E Tracker, the Asset Management Tracker, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) information and display systems, and the digital platforms driving the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) and Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).  

The incumbent will serve as the primary focal point for:

• →Enterprise ICT Infrastructure & System Administration.
• →Multi-Hazard Early Warning & CAP Platform Integration.
• →Disaster Information Systems & Analytics.
• →24/7 NEOC and Emergency Operations Support.
• →Stakeholder Coordination, Policy & Innovation

1. Maintain enterprise ICT Infrastructure and system administration: 

• →Infrastructure Management: maintain, optimize, and secure NDRMO’s core servers, enterprise networks, databases, cloud platforms, and storage environments to guarantee high operational availability.
• →Security & Continuity: implement robust cybersecurity protocols, role-based user access controls, automated data backup solutions, and disaster recovery plan (DRP) arrangements to ensure continuous service during crisis events.
• →Asset Lifecycle & Standards: manage the ICT hardware asset register, software licensing, system upgrades, and hardware refresh planning in full compliance with Government and UNDP standards.

2.Support multi-hazard early warning & CAP platform integration:

• →CAP Administration: administer the central National Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) platform, facilitating technical integrations with authorized warning authorities (e.g., FMS, MRD, MSAF, MoHMS).
• →Interoperability & Connectivity: maintain digital gateways and API connections between NDRMO systems, the Ministry of Communications, telecommunications providers (mobile network operators), broadcasters, and digital channels for rapid warning fan-out.
• →System Testing & Drills: conduct routine technical tests, simulation exercises, and operational readiness checks of all automated public warning dissemination systems.

3.Monitor disaster information systems & analytics: 

• →NDRIS Administration: maintain and scale the National Disaster Risk Information System (NDRIS) to secure data integrity across historical incident records, loss databases, and situational updates.
• →NDRRP Online Tracker: oversee user administration, data quality control, and functional support for the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (NDRRP) M&E Tracker across participating Government bodies.
• →GIS & Business Intelligence: develop dynamic operational dashboards, geospatial visualizations, and reporting tools to support real-time decision-making for leadership.

4. Ensure 24/7 NEOC and emergency operations support:

• →NEOC Operational Readiness: maintain continuous availability of video conferencing, situational displays, incident logging systems, and communication tools within the National Emergency Operations Centre.
• →High-Availability Emergency Support: provide 24/7 rostered on-call technical support during emergency activations to resolve critical ICT incidents rapidly.

5.Support stakeholder coordination, policy & innovation:

• →Government ICT Alignment: work closely with the Ministry of Communications and national technology partners to align NDRMO systems with broader e-Government and national cybersecurity frameworks.
• →Emerging Technologies: evaluate and advise leadership on integrating emerging technologies (e.g., geospatial analysis, automated alerts, AI analytics, mobile applications) into national disaster management.
• →Capacity Building: develop technical documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and user training programs for NDRMO personnel and inter-agency partners.

6.Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the project:

• →Participate in training on IT or related matters for the staff and provide support to the organization of training and other capacity building activities as needed.  
• →Make 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. 

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Demonstrate focus on achieving quality results and impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Look beyond conventional approaches and established methods

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Actively pursue opportunities for learning and self-development professionally and personally

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Be flexible in handling change, and adopt new ideas, approaches and ways of working

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Pursue everything with motivation and drive

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Act in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Treat all individuals with respect, consider ethical implications and respond sensitively to all differences among people

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. 
• Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. 

Business Management

• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

External Relations & Advocacy (Communications)

• Cybersecurity: Ability to analyze and advise on cybersecurity issues and policies for digital communications

Operations: IT -Information Management & Technology

• Network, Communication and Infrastructure Management: Ability to develop/integrate/operate/manage IT network, communications, Cloud or on-premise infrastructure, and new technologies like IoT. Cisco CCIE CCNP or similar is desirable
• IT Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Ability to advise on IT continuity and disaster recovery. Knowledge of ISO 22301 an asset.
• User Experience and business analyst: Capacity to translate efficiently users needs in IT requirements around human-centred design principles. Knowledge of Oracle Cloud, ServiceNow, SalesForce.com, and Microsoft product an asset.

• Secondary education is required with formal training in IT systems, business software and/or web-based applications. 
• A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Information Technology, Information Management, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or an equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Certifications in ITIL/hardware/software management/application and/or MCP are an asset.   

• Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience in network administration (servers, cloud networks, databases and cybersecurity), 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.

Required Skills

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired Skills

• Experience working with user-centered designs and conducting user research and testing.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and maintaining web platforms, database integrations, web-based applications, system integration, database administration, and API architectures.
• Experience in developing and implementing disaster recovery, data backup, and business continuity strategies to ensure 24/7 operational readiness of critical infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience supporting national disaster management systems, emergency operations, or public safety ICT infrastructure (such as NEOC, MHEWS, CAP, or tracking systems)
• Proven Familiarity with Fiji’s Disaster Risk Management Framework, the National Disaster Management Act 2024, the Fiji National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2018–2030, and the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.
• Demonstrated ability in collaborating effectively with Government ICT bodies, international development organizations, or national telecommunications service providers.

Language

• Fluency in English is a requirement.
• Working knowledge of the local languages Fiji Hindi or iTaukei is desirable.

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

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.

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