GCP Infrastructure Specialist

Job Description

Background information - ITG

The UNOPS Information Technology Group (ITG) unit is focused on innovation and harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver solutions to UNOPS that truly address business needs.

Working with UNOPS IT Group is a unique opportunity to deliver systems to users around the world - making an impact on development and solving practical problems for the UNOPS workforce and thereby help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

ITG’s goal is to provide greater effectiveness, efficiency, and differentiation to UNOPS products and services. UNOPS IT Group is responsible for architecting, designing, delivering, and managing all UNOPS IT infrastructure and business applications. The unit includes Enterprise Architects, Business Analysts, Solutions Designers, Developers and QA Testers from all around the world who are based primarily in Denmark and Thailand.

Functional Responsibilities

Reporting to the ITG Infrastructure Team Lead, the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Infrastructure Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing and supporting the UNOPS cloud infrastructure in GCP. In addition, the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Infrastructure Specialist will be part of transitioning existing UNOPS on-premises application workloads to GCP.

The GCP Infrastructure Specialist will perform the following functions:

Implement, manage and support UNOPS GCP Infrastructure

• Assist and advise on the design of UNOPS GCP infrastructure components based on information regarding the business context and standards stipulated by the ITG Architects, with the guidance of the ITG Infrastructure Team Lead.
• Implement and maintain all GCP infrastructure components, ensuring adherence to best-practice IT/Cyber security principles and approaches as well as guidelines and principles set forth by the ITG Architects.
• Implement automation through code to enable as much of a self-service environment as possible for the provisioning and management of infrastructure components required for development, test, and UAT environments of various kinds.
• Advise and implement the security for a multi-zone hosting infrastructure as a core part of the design and implementation.
• Provide support, troubleshooting assistance, implementation guidance and technical advice to ICT Focal Point colleagues in UNOPS offices globally as well as ITG technical teams.

Implement infrastructure components within ITG Infrastructure Projects

• Participate in global UNOPS ITG projects under the coordination and guidance of the ITG Infrastructure Team Lead and/or project manager.
• Provision infrastructure as required for the implementation of the project.

CI/CD

• Help UNOPS define/architect future cd/cd pipelines.
• Configure and maintain pipelines for applications with bespoke interfaces in high availability production environments.
• Contribute to design and maintain automations for test environments as Infrastructure-As-Code systems with high availability, scalability and reliability requirements.

Manage and monitor UNOPS ITG Infrastructure (GCP and other)

• Setup and maintain software systems; proactively identify areas of system concerns which may impact system stability.

• Monitor UNOPS ITG infrastructure and systems to improve up-time, provide proactive resolution of potential issues, and timely response to any security and operational incidents.

• Monitor infrastructure to ensure systems functionality, security and availability.

• Perform regular software updates and patches to supported applications and various operating systems.

• Provide updates to management on problems that are severe in nature or that are exceeding thresholds.

• Ensure optimal quality services by maintaining ownership of all reported problems until appropriate resolution is reached and communicated to the person reporting the problem.

• Manage, improve, document, test and implement systems and tools such as Single sign-on / oAuth / OpenID /SAML v2.0 federation

• Ensure full compliance with information, management and technology standards, guidelines and procedures of UNOPS.

Knowledge management

• Ensure full documentation of systems, configuration and procedures to enhance knowledge-sharing/transfer within the team and throughout the ITG practice using established documentation repositories.
• Follow and evaluate emerging technologies, staying up-to-date with trends and the cyber security threat landscape, attend courses and seminars, share knowledge and experience with other ITG specialists. Evaluate systems and platforms, research best practices and contribute to ITG Service Team design solutions with a special focus on Google Cloud Platform
• Participate in meetings and exchange information and expertise on applications and tools with IT staff from other UN agencies.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Master’s Degree, preferably in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Technology Management, Mathematics or other relevant discipline is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree
• Secondary education in combination with additional six years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.
• Relevant IT certifications like Cloud Architect or Cloud DevOps Engineer is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience working with enterprise IT systems, preferably cloud native in nature.

• Minimum of 3 years of working experience with:

  • Cloud Native infrastructure with a deep understanding of containerization on Kubernetes orchestration.

  • Managing Infrastructure using

    • Terraform
    • Ansible

  • GIT

  • DevOps.

  • Cloud Run

  • App Engine

• Knowledge of the following is highly desired:

  • DevSecOps
  • Google Cloud databases
  • Google Cloud Build
  • Google Container Registry
  • Orchestration and Infrastructure-As-Code tools (Chef, Puppet, Bamboo, Jenkins)
  • Linux operating environments
  • Scripting (Go, Node.js, Python)

• Knowledge of open source technologies such as Istio, Prometheus, Knative, Helm, Pulumi would be a distinct advantage

Language Requirements

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA 2 Contract duration: Ongoing (Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance)

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

About the Organization

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.