IT Specialist
Job Details
Full Job Description
Organizational Setting
The project GCP/GLO/086/ROK: Smart and Sustainable Aquaculture through Effective Biosecurity and Digital Technology has an overall objective of supporting countries in the sustainable development of systems and practices using smart/digital technologies to reduce biosecurity shocks and risks, leading to effective aquatic animal health management, sustainable production practices within environmental carrying capacities, enhancing protection, and ensuring food safety. At the end of project implementation, the expected impact is that the country and stakeholder beneficiaries will adapt and effectively implement biosecurity governance, systems, and practices to support a sustainable, responsible, healthy, and safe aquaculture that contributes to food security, improved nutrition, decent work, and economic growth.
Reporting Lines
The IT Specialist directly reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and will work closely with the Fisheries Specialist and Project Lead Technical Officers.
Technical Focus
In line with our mission to digitize the monitoring system of the Shrimp sector through technology, this project endeavours to map data flow, identify key data registries, and ensure a monitoring system through a big data system. The IT Specialist plays a pivotal role in assessing the current IT landscape, guiding the IT service provider to follow interoperability standards, and providing oversight throughout the project lifecycle, including all cross-cutting IT work, especially where IoT, data, and other IT systems intersect. Conceptualize, deploy, and manage IoT solutions tailored for the Shrimp sector, ensuring real-time data capture, transmission, and integration into overarching IT and data science systems.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Sector Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive
evaluation of the shrimp sector, mapping the data flow, identifying
key data registries, and understanding the IT infrastructure
landscape.
• Guidance on Interoperability: Advise the IT
service provider on existing data dictionaries for the sector and
ensure adherence to interoperability standards throughout the
development phase.
• Tender Document Development: Oversee and
guide the creation of tender documents and other relevant supporting
documents, ensuring they meet the project’s specifications and the
sector’s requirements.
• Oversight of IT Service Providers: Act
as the primary liaison between the project team and the IT service
provider(s). Ensure that the developed IT systems align with the
sector's needs, are scalable, and comply with interoperability
standards.
• Feedback and Iteration: Regularly gather feedback
from stakeholders on the IT systems developed and guide the service
provider(s) in implementing changes based on this feedback.
•
Training and Workshops: Organize and conduct training sessions for
stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and adoption of the new IT
systems.
• Cross-cutting IT Work: Attend and manage any
cross-cutting IT-related tasks within the project scope, especially
tasks involving IoT, mobile app, data analytics, and any other IT
systems that intersect with the project's primary objectives.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor's/master’s degree in information
technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum
five years of experience in IT sector with special skills in
establishing big data system.
• Solid understanding of the
fisheries sector, its data needs, and the existing IT landscape.
•
Proven experience in IT project management, especially in the public
or semi-public sectors.
• Working knowledge of English and
Sinhala/Tamil.
• Must be a national of Sri Lanka.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
•
Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
•
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work
experience particularly in the field is essential.
• Extent and
relevance of experience or knowledge of and in the provision of
digitization in fisheries/aquaculture management and conservation
bodies is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in
organizing training courses for the stakeholders to provide detailed
insights into Digital Technology.
Selection Criteria
• Extent of experience in establishing
big data systems including formulation of work planning, budgeting,
implementation, and reporting.
• Managing and implementing big
data-related projects which include stakeholder requirement
identification, development of SRS documents.
• Familiarity
with interoperability standards and data dictionaries relevant to the
fisheries sector.
• Experience in coordinating and liaising
with industry, academia, national authorities, UN agencies, donors,
intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental
organizations.
• Familiarity with the UN System and /or
development sector is an asset.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website:
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs
at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend
that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment
records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates
are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online
profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit
your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide
performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification
checks of past and present work, character, education, military and
police records to ascertain any and all information which may be
pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete
applications will not be considered
• Personal information
provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other
companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support
services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests,
background checks and other related services. You will be asked to
provide your consent before submitting your application. You may
withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such
case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
•
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be
considered
• Your application will be screened based on the
information provided in your online profile
• We encourage
applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance:
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
IT Specialist
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