Associate Officer ICT, Kabul

General

Description of assignment title: Associate Officer ICT
Assignment country: Afghanistan
Duty stations: Kabul
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 01/01/2027
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Host entity: UNAMA
Modality: Onsite
Type: International
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is a United Nations Special Political Mission established by the Security Council in 2002. UNAMA supports the people of Afghanistan through the implementation of its Security Council-mandated responsibilities, including the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls; the coordination of humanitarian assistance; engagement with relevant stakeholders; and support for peace, stability and sustainable development.

The UNAMA Security Section, operating within the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) and in coordination with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), supports the Designated Official and the Principal Security Adviser in the implementation of security risk management measures to enable the safe, secure and effective delivery of United Nations activities in Afghanistan.

To fulfil these responsibilities, the Security Section relies on integrated information and communications technology (ICT) systems supporting electronic identification and access control, Pass & ID services, security databases and applications, security communications, surveillance, personnel tracking and accountability, Security Operations Centre (SOC) functions, emergency preparedness and operational information management. The effective administration, integration, maintenance and continuity of these systems are essential to safeguarding United Nations personnel, premises and assets and sustaining critical security operations.

Context

The UNV Associate Officer ICT will contribute to these objectives by providing technical and operational support for security-related ICT systems, databases, applications and infrastructure, strengthening system reliability, information management, operational continuity and the Security Section's capacity to respond effectively to evolving security requirements.

On 15 June 2026, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2822 (2026), extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027. The Mission's mandate, as established under resolution 2626 (2022) and subsequently extended, includes promoting and facilitating humanitarian assistance, supporting human rights and the rights of women and girls, advancing inclusive governance, strengthening resilience and economic stability, and exercising good offices to promote constructive engagement, peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Security Council has underscored the critical importance of UNAMA's continued presence, together with United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, throughout Afghanistan, and the need to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel. In this context, the UNAMA Security Section supports the implementation of the Mission's mandate by facilitating the safe and secure conduct of United Nations operations in a complex and challenging security environment.

The Security Section relies on specialized and integrated information and communications technology (ICT) systems to support the protection of United Nations personnel, premises, assets and operations. These include electronic identification and access-control platforms, Pass & ID servers and databases, physical security and surveillance systems, security communications infrastructure, personnel-accountability applications and operational security information-management tools across Kabul and field duty stations.

These systems support countrywide identification and badging, personnel tracking, real-time Who-Is-In/Who-Is-Out information, emergency recall and bunker accountability, and timely operational visibility for the Security Operations Centre (SOC), Country Security Operations Centre (C-SOC), Guard Force and other authorized security components. They also facilitate incident analysis, access-log retrieval, identity verification, information integrity and the secure management of operational security records.

The Associate Officer ICT assignment provides dedicated technical capacity for the development, administration, integration, maintenance and continuous improvement of these mission-critical systems, in coordination with UNAMA ICT and other responsible technical service providers. Particular emphasis is placed on system availability, information security, operational resilience, emergency preparedness, backup and recovery arrangements, technical documentation and structured knowledge transfer to ensure the continuity and reliability of security-related ICT services throughout Afghanistan.

Task description

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Security Officer (DCSO), or designated representative, and in close coordination with UNAMA ICT and relevant Security Section technical and operational units, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

A. Security Information Systems, Applications and Identity Management

• Administer, maintain, enhance and, where required, develop the Security Section's databases, web-based applications, SharePoint solutions and electronic information-management systems, ensuring functionality, information security, data integrity and operational reliability.
• Provide technical administration and support for the Security Section's Pass & ID infrastructure, including identification databases, badge-production applications, associated servers and electronic identification services for UNAMA and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes operating in Afghanistan.
• Support the modernization, interoperability and authorized integration of electronic identification and access-control systems with relevant United Nations platforms, including TRIP and FSS, in coordination with designated system owners and technical service providers.
• Develop, maintain and improve electronic daily staff lists, personnel-accountability applications, security incident reporting and analysis tools, and other customized applications supporting operational security information management.
• Support the administration and technical functionality of identity-verification systems, access-control records, authorized access-log retrieval and electronic personnel-tracking applications, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of security-related information.

B. Operational Security ICT Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity

• Provide specialized technical support to information and communications systems supporting the Security Operations Centre (SOC), Country Security Operations Centre (C-SOC), Guard Force and other designated Security Section units, including system monitoring, troubleshooting, service restoration and operational continuity.
• Support the installation, configuration, maintenance and technical interoperability of ICT-enabled physical security systems, including electronic access control, surveillance and CCTV interfaces, personnel-tracking applications, perimeter-security technologies and security communications infrastructure, within assigned technical responsibilities.
• Support the technical readiness and reliable operation of electronic systems used for emergency preparedness, personnel accountability, emergency recall, real-time Who-Is-In/Who-Is-Out information, bunker accountability and other authorized security emergency-management arrangements.
• Assist in maintaining the availability, resilience and continuity of mission-critical security ICT services, including the identification of technical vulnerabilities, escalation of system disruptions, implementation of approved corrective measures and coordination of technical recovery arrangements.
• Implement and periodically test approved data backup, restoration, system-recovery and information-protection procedures, maintaining accurate technical records and supporting continuity arrangements for critical security applications.
• Provide technical assistance in the assessment and resolution of hardware, software, network connectivity and system-integration issues affecting security operations, coordinating with UNAMA ICT and other responsible technical service providers as required.

C. Technical Coordination, Documentation, Capacity Development and Knowledge Transfer

• Liaise with Security Section operational units and relevant ICT service providers to identify technical requirements, assess system performance and recommend improvements to electronic security systems, operational applications and information-management processes.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical specifications, functional requirements and assessments for the procurement, replacement, and upgrading and maintenance of ICT equipment, software and electronic security technologies, in accordance with applicable United Nations procedures.
• Develop and maintain technical standard operating procedures, system documentation, user instructions, configuration records, troubleshooting guidance and relevant information-security controls.
• Provide technical guidance, user orientation, practical training and workshops for Security Section personnel in Kabul and field duty stations on identification systems, security applications, electronic accountability tools and other assigned ICT services.
• Support structured knowledge transfer, technical handover, system documentation and capacity development to ensure continuity of critical security ICT services during personnel transitions and organizational changes.
• Coordinate with relevant technical and operational counterparts on authorized system upgrades, application integration, information-security requirements, technical risk mitigation and the implementation of approved system improvements.
• Perform other related ICT duties consistent with the assignment and delegated responsibilities.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 3 years
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 3 years
Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Engineering, Administration, or another relevant discipline, combined with substantial and demonstrable professional experience in information and communications technology (ICT), electronic security systems, security communications, information management, systems administration or related technical support functions.

Competencies and values:

• Communication
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Technological
• Awareness
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in information and communications technology (ICT), including hands-on work with databases, applications and integrated information systems, is required.

Demonstrated hands-on experience developing or substantively enhancing databases and operational applications, including implementing functional improvements, troubleshooting application issues and maintaining data integrity, is required.

• Demonstrated experience in developing, administering, maintaining and troubleshooting secure web-based information systems and operational ICT applications, including access controls, protection of sensitive information, system reliability, technical documentation, operational continuity, and implementation or testing of backup and restoration arrangements, is required.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in developing, enhancing or integrating databases and operational information-management systems, including implementing, upgrading or maintaining interfaces and data exchanges supporting electronic identification, access control, identity management, personnel accountability, electronic staff lists, security incident reporting and analysis, or comparable operational applications, is required.
• Demonstrated experience in the technical operation, administration, maintenance or support of ICT-enabled security systems used in Security Operations Centres, emergency preparedness and response, electronic surveillance, security communications or personnel-accountability functions is required.

Desirable Experience and Training

• Experience delivering ICT support in international field operations, complex or high-risk environments, or geographically dispersed duty stations is desirable.
• Relevant professional training or certifications in information security, ICT service continuity, security risk management, emergency preparedness, security operations management or security information systems are desirable.
• Experience delivering practical technical training, user orientation or structured knowledge transfer for ICT applications and operational information systems is desirable.

Area(s) of expertise: Information technology and telecommunications, Administration, Data science, information management, Artificial Intelligence
Driving license: -

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.

Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

https://www.unv.org/

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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