Org. Setting and Reporting
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. The Postal sector has been faced with far-reaching changes over the past few years. It has become essential for Posts to apply the latest technology in order to respond effectively to changing customer needs. The Postal Technology Centre Directorate (DCTP) of the UPU acts as a link between technology and the needs of the Postal industry by being the first choice in providing IT solutions, applications and services that enable the delivery of domestic and international postal services.
Responsibilities
Lead and manage the delivery of software programming, technical improvements and support for the DCTP. Supervise and support a team of software developers, oversee systems software architecture design, and coordinate the operation of data analysis and reporting platforms. Computer system software development a Lead Within the strategic and operational framework defined by the Coordinator, manage and oversee the work of the software development team, ensuring effective daily operations and project progress. Conduct performance discussions, support staff development, and ensure clear task distribution. b Design – Coordinate feasibility studies and contribute to the analysis of user requirements in the preparation of functional specifications for data analytics and quality of service applications (mail and finance). – Participate in the design of the new technical specifications and architecture of the overall software solution under the guidance of the Coordinator and with the support of the Senior Software Architect/Manager. c Plan – Develop and maintain project plans, including estimating the workload, timelines and key deliverables of the assigned tasks required to develop the software. – Set priorities and manage the schedule of tasks allocated to the team. d Develop – Provide technical oversight and direction to team members during the development of the software modules and consolidate the final software package. – Ensure that the development and unit testing of each software module are carried out according to the functional and technical specifications, following the project plan. – Facilitate internal collaboration to share knowledge and promote the reuse of common technologies and software components. e Document – Ensure adequate source code documentation, including any necessary doc-umentation to facilitate the integration of the module into the final software for release. – Support the technical writer in the production of the documentation for end users. f Test Participate in the establishment of a detailed test plan and collaborate in testing (and correcting when necessary) the final software. g Maintain and support – Maintain technical oversight of deployed modules and ensure ongoing per-formance and compliance with operational standards. – Coordinate training sessions and demonstrations for staff and designated operators as needed. h Assess and survey – Maintain IT technical expertise through continuous survey of the external IT landscape. – Evaluate and recommend new IT platforms and software development tools, in conjunction with the IT Development and Software Testing Coordinator. – Organize internal knowledge-sharing sessions and facilitate learning oppor-tunities for the team in specific technical areas. – Ensure new user requirements are included in the reports, and manage the planning of development and upgrades of the DCTP data analysis and reporting platforms. – Follow up on business development by participating in UPU group meetings.
Competencies
Professionalism: Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions, and for the consequences of these. Produces and delivers high-quality results. Drives change and improvement, continually searching for new ways to position the organization for success. Ensures that knowledge and learning is shared across the organization and encourages staff to learn from each other. Ethics: Ensures that personal views and convictions do not compromise ethical principles. Understands and behaves in accordance with the UPU's professional, ethical and legal framework. Does not abuse power or authority vested by functions. Respects commitments and promises made to internal and external partners. Promptly confronts unprofessional or unethical behaviours and takes immediate appropriate action. Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion. Working together/teamwork: Works collaboratively with team members to achieve results. Shows respect to other members of the team, regardless of gender or of cultural, educational or religious background. Seeks help when needed in order to achieve set goals. Shares information on issues that may affect the team and respects confidentiality. Accepts joint responsibility for the team's successes and shortcomings. Encourages cooperation among staff within the programme and directorate and across the organization. Collects and assesses information on a broad range of issues related to the team's work and seeks common solutions. Encourages others to be innovative in order to improve outcomes. Taking responsibilities/results orientation: Seeks to achieve expected outputs within the agreed timeframe. Ensures competent delivery with minimal supervision, even under pressure and with constantly changing priorities. Keeps supervisors informed of challenges encountered and solutions found. Quickly identifies issues and the right person to provide solutions, and shows strong client orientation in business dealings. Explores the options for finding innovative solutions to improve work processes and results. Remains focused and keeps morale high when faced with adversity. Reallocates resources quickly and effectively when faced with unforeseen events. Job-related competencies: Interpersonal/human relations skills, Ability to work in a multicultural team, Flexibility, Problem-solving skills, Good communication skills.
Education
First-level university degree (BSc or similar) in computer science, engineering or related fields.
Job - Specific Qualification
Knowledge of C# and .Net development platform is required. Knowledge of developing mobile, web and desktop applications with n-Tier architectures is required. Knowledge of T-SQL, Microsoft SQL Server administration is required. Understanding of IT networking, operations and security, as well as user account management across the applications and databases is required. Ability to monitor, and maintain in good working state, the related reporting and data analytics platforms, is required. Introduction to ISO 27001 is required.
Work Experience
At least four years of progressively responsible experience in software development, including hands-on experience in leading or coordinating technical teams or projects, is required
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Language
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
English
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
Language
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
French
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
Assessment
Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.
Special Notice
- This is a non-core post. This position will be in full compliance with the "Rules governing non-core staff", which expressly exclude some international benefits (home leave, installation grant, education grant and eligibility to a continuing appointment). The selected staff will participate in the UPU Provident Scheme and will be insured together with their recognized dependents against the risks of sickness and accidents. This is a three years' contract which can be renewed if the services continue to be required in the future, the funds are available and/or the staff member's performance is satisfactory. However, this appointment does not automatically carry any expectancy of extension or renewal or of conversion to any other type of appointment. - Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible. - French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau. - Priority shall be given for an internal promotion. - The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence. - Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged. - Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year). - Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process. - The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms. At the discretion of the UPU, such background checks may also be extended to include criminal records, disciplinary measures, sexual exploitation and abuse, and professional license check validation. - Monthly salary:(Net of tax) 7,105 CHF Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
