Senior Application Solution Analyst

Introduction

This position is located in the Application Management Services Branch (AMS) within the Information and Technology Management Department (INFOTEC). INFOTEC manages and governs the ILO’s portfolio of information and technology assets. 
    
AMS is responsible for the design, development, maintenance and management of large-scale enterprise applications in support of administrative processes, knowledge sharing, decision-making and collaborative working.  The Branch ensures that software being deployed throughout the Office conforms to ILO directives, policies and standards; provides measurable organizational value; aligns with Office-wide strategies and objectives; and represents effective and efficient use of technology.  AMS is responsible for implementing agile, cost-effective, innovative and transformative digital solutions to improve business processes and to support staff with the tools and applications they need to increase productivity and improve working methods.  The Branch manages the following general application categories and technology solutions: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Administrative Applications; Analytics, Business Intelligence, Data Warehousing and Reporting; Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Intranet and Public Website; Digital Working Methods, Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration; and Custom Developed Applications and Solutions.

The position provides expertise in project management, application solution design/implementation and business process modelling.  This position acts as a liaison between INFOTEC and business units in determining how to best implement software to streamline, automate and facilitate process efficiency and improvement. This role will be primarily focused on supporting the financial, programmatic and custom administrative modules, solutions and processes associated, interfaced or integrated to the ILO ERP system.  Secondarily, services will focus on implementing other third party applications and integrating processes and solutions. 

The position will report to the ERP and Administrative Applications Section Head within the Applications Management Services Branch (AMS).

Specific Duties

1.    Identify, design, and implement business practices and organizational policies related to financial, budgetary/programmatic, administrative and travel related solutions either bolted onto or facilitated by the Oracle e-Business Suite and associated tools.  Ensure that appropriate software development and configuration practices are implemented and managed according to accepted standards within the software development lifecycle and methodologies like ITIL. Support the Office during cutover and transition to new software releases.

2.    Provide expertise and recommend a course of action in the following ERP areas: solutions scoping, requirements analysis, gap analysis, feasibility, functional design, application configuration, integration testing, user acceptance testing, production deployment, support and training.

3.    Lead task forces and working groups within the Office. Implement and adhere to project management standards including preparation of business cases, total costs of ownership, status reports, project plans, work estimations, etc. Prepare briefing materials and presentations as needed to governance bodies and user communities.

4.    Perform strategic impact analysis and identify opportunities for changes to processes, systems and structures requiring change. Make recommendations on how to best utilize standard off the shelf software applications or lead the development of custom solutions to accomplish strategic business objectives which result in increased efficiency and effectiveness to the Office, headquarters and in the field.

5.    Investigate reported application problems and develop action plans to correct deficiencies. Test, diagnose and isolate the root cause of problems. Prepare incident reports for further investigation by technical operations and development experts. Coordinate further diagnosis and tests as necessary to assist with and recommend workarounds where appropriate.

6.    Identify reporting and analytical needs.  Leverage business intelligence and analytical tools to enable management decision-making and process effectiveness.  Recommend additions to the data warehouse and business intelligence framework.

7.    Work to develop client relationships by listening, understanding and anticipating needs. Gather requirements and suggest appropriate solutions to ensure client satisfaction and continuous alignment with the client's business needs.

8.    Keep abreast of developments on software and technology.  Take steps to develop knowledge and skills related to technologies and tools applicable to the ILO business needs.

9.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in IT, Business, Finance related areas, Human Resource Management or Social Sciences or other relevant areas.  

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

•    At least seven years of professional experience, including at the international level in Business applications with a minimum of five years implementing Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial-oriented solutions.
•    Specific Oracle ERP application experience should include expertise in more than two of the following modules/components: General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing, Grants Accounting, Projects.
•    Experience with Travel and Results Based Management and budgetary solutions is an advantage.
•    Experience with technologies such as Oracle Business Intelligence. 

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an advantage. 

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

 

Technical competencies
Sound understanding of ERP implementation methodologies and best practices. Understanding of project management methodologies and ITIL is an advantage. Sufficient understanding of relevant business processes, operating strategies, policies, and procedures within the UN environment; capability to gather, document and analyze information; ability to draw conclusions including impacts and resolution options, define strategies and suggest solutions; discernment to differentiate which issues are critical to overall organisation drivers and which are not; ability to solve complex functional issues which cross organizational boundaries; ability to liaise and negotiate. Ability to operate within the software development lifecycle and to engage team members and partners through the various activities in this cycle.  This will include negotiation, briefings and developing, reviewing and discussing Functional and Technical Designs, Test Scripts/Scenarios, etc. Advanced application software skills including Microsoft Office tools to prepare presentations, spreadsheets, word processing, and project management. Basic SQL knowledge with the ability to develop and execute low-medium complexity queries, in the context of Oracle applications. Sound knowledge of using Oracle Online Support (the online support 'tool' for customers using Oracle technology and applications).

Behavioural competencies
Effective management skills including time and task management, development of project plans, project briefs, status reports, etc. and capable of working independently and within a team environment in order to meet deadlines. Capability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff or young professionals. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.