Technical Writer

Vacancy Code

2012/UNOPS/JMPC/VA010

Post Title

Technical Writer

Post Level

International ICA – Level 2

Position status

N/A

Org Unit

UNOPS – Jerusalem Project Center JMPC

Duty Station

Ramallah with regular travel to other areas of West Bank

Duration

Six months with possibility of extension

Closing Date

20 February 2012

The Police Support Programme is a Palestinian Police-led initiative supported by the EU Police Co-coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS), the PA Ministry of Interior and is implemented by the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS). Its central decision making and project approval mechanism is the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) chaired by the Ministry of Interior and attended by the PCP Police Commissioner, the Ministry of Finance and a Donor Representative.

The initiatives agreed in the PSC are implemented by UNOPS with supervision from the PCP department heads. UNOPS has established a Project Management Office to manage the day to day delivery of projects.

The Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) lacks a central information system to supports their operational processes and needs. The IT Infrastructure project currently being implemented by UNOPS on behalf of Canada, which provides, essential hardware foundations to the PCP is now approaching completion. An information system for the PCP is a logical and essential addition to the IT Infrastructure. The two projects combined will then in turn improve the capacity and quality of the PCP operations.

Under the overall guidance of the Software development Manager, the Technical Writer will report directly to the UNOPS Project Manager and will be responsible for the documentation requirements of the PCP Information System. He/ She will advise and directly assist the PCP in improving documentation and operational procedures of the project team. He/ She will be stationed at the PCP ICT department headquarters and UNOPS Ramallah duty station.

The Technical Writer will be responsible for the technical documentation of several elements of the software development project. The Technical Writer will be working with the UNOPS Software Development Team to capture, document and manage IT related documents. Documentation required includes; services reference models, domain models (class and object diagrams), database models (ERD-entity-relationship diagrams), release notes, and user reference models. The technical writer will also be responsible for developing documentation procedures and methodologies for the Software Development Team. These include, but are not limited to, templates and publishing standards.

Successful candidates should have excellent hands-on-experience with creating software development methodologies and supporting processes. As well as excellent technical writing skills with the ability to understand technical concepts and terminologies and express them in a clear concise manner. The candidate should also be able to read through source code and design models written in Java, Groovy and Grails.

The technical writer will be responsible for ensuring adherence to the following:

-       Document software system including hardware

-       Updating of user and technical manuals

-       Write and update “Help files”

-       Research, evaluate, and recommend new documentation tools and methods in support of documentation improvement efforts.

-       Distil relevant information and present that information in an easy to understand format using various forms of media

-       Maintain document repository offline and online

-       Contribute to and communicate documentation standards, and provide training where required

-       Analyze IT project requirements to determine and tailor needed documents

-       Collaborate with Production Support and development staff to collect and interpret technical information

-       Initiate process improvements and participate in departmental efforts to develop and update documentation standards, templates and procedure

-       Develop or maintain templates for documents

-       Any other duties or tasks as required.

Documentation:

-       Services reference models

-       Domain models (class and object diagrams)

-       Database models (ERD- entity-relationship diagrams)

-       Release notes, and user reference models.

-       The technical writer is also responsible for developing documentation procedures and methodologies for the Software Development Team. These include, but are not limited to, templates and publishing standards.

Team Duties:

-       The Technical Writer will work with the team to extract information for input into required documentation. He/ She will implement documentation methodologies to be adopted by the software development team.

The personnel is responsible to abide by security policies, Administrative Instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management system and that of UNOPS.

Education/Experience/Language

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant discipline, preferably in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, or Business Administration. Additional years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirements for a master’s degree

Languages

Fluency in English is required, both oral and written. Fluency in Arabic is highly desired. 

Work Experience

• Minimum  five years of progressively responsible professional experience related to the planning, design, development of large scale software development projects;
• ·         Experience of managing or working directly in the technical documentation process
• ·         Knowledge on SDLC Documentation process
• Solid understanding of Systems Architecture
• Awareness of main project management methodologies/tools (e.g. Prince2) is preferred.

 Key Competencies

• ·         Ability to absorb and retain information quickly, specifically complex technical information.
• ·         Ability to analyse target audience and to present ideas in user friendly language.

 General Competencies

Professionalism – Strong theoretical background and substantial experience in information technology/ information management, particularly in application design and development, systems analysis, and implementation of systems. Demonstrates capacity for intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Good knowledge of organizations ICT strategy and infrastructure. Ability to develop innovative approaches to resolve a wide range of issues/problems. Good knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities and processes within the area(s) in which the system operates. Demonstrated ability to manage projects and working towards the achievement of defined deliverables. Expert decision-making experience in the field and proven record of managing contracted onsite as well as offshore teams.

Communication – Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts both orally and in writing, in a clear concise style. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organization as well as with clients.

Client Orientation – Ability to identify and analyze clients’ needs and propose appropriate solution to meet business requirements

Planning and Organizing – Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.

Teamwork - Strong interpersonal and communications skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Problem Solving - Excellent problem solving, planning and analytical skills