Short-Term Consultant (Information Architect/Web Developer) needed for 3 months.
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting:
This position is located in the Library Use Services Cluster (LUS), Outreach Division (OD), Department of Public Information (DPI). The consultant will report to the Chief of the Cluster.
Responsibilities:
The consultant will be a core contributor of ideas and efforts in the design and development of a new UN Oral Histories web site and related websites in a fast-paced project set-up, including:
a) Designing and programming web sites, including the establishment and programming of databases;
b) Working within a team to translate programme goals and requirements in web access designs and development terms;
c) Modelling target audience’s needs, tasks, and goals and translating them into easily discoverable web site elements;
d) Working with technical teams on developing and deploying content classification and scoping taxonomy, information architecture, and documenting design concepts and implementation details in the form of site maps, navigation models, content models, user scenarios, alignment models, new page description diagrams, process/task flowchart, etc.;
e) Packaging, parsing, scoping, formatting, storing, and melding various media content in the most appropriate way for efficient retrieval and best user experience;
f) Participating in user research, concept testing, usability testing, and development of performance analytics;
g) Creating inter-product multi-usability models of various content repositories; and
h) Performing other duties as may be needed.
Competencies
Professionalism
A firm expert understanding of user-centred design processes and information architecture principles;
Demonstrated ability to execute on information architecture involving taxonomies, metadata frameworks, and templates for content management systems; Demonstrated ability to be collaborative and still achieve goals in a timely manner; Familiarity with best practices in user-centred design; and Self-motivated and self-managing. Ability to assess and define business needs for the development of technology systems and tools to support business processes and to act as an interface between the substantive and technology components of the process. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills evidenced by ability to speak and write clearly and effectively, listen to others, correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately, ask questions to clarify, and exhibit interest in having two-way communication, tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience, and demonstrate openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Creativity
Capacity to be logical, intuitive, organized, detail-oriented and analytical as well as the ability to effectively explore and find creative and better ways of achieving greater results, with a healthy desire to innovate across mediums.
Teamwork
You will be collaborating with web designers, developers and project managers, so being comfortable in a team environment is a must. Must be able to work cross-functionally with creative staff and other staff
Planning & Organizing
Ability to handle multiple projects in different phases simultaneously; develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments and make adjustments as required, allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; and use time efficiently.
Experience
A minimum of five years of solid experience in the design, development and deployment of information architecture and content across diverse user interface platforms is required, including hands-on experience working with relevant web content management systems and related tools and utilities; demonstrated experience with content parsing, scoping, and formatting in multimedia web site development (involving audio, photos, text and video) demonstrated by presentation of a portfolio of completed assignments as well as proven track record of timely generation of project deliverables.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in library science, information science, computer science, information management, or other field is required; post-graduate professional certification in related areas are a definite advantage. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable.
Other skills
Solid skills in developing web sites in HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, Flash Photoshop, Visio, and/or related product design tools is required as well as ability to troubleshoot software and provide feedback, and solutions for rich multimedia Internet product development. Demonstrable ability to multi-task and process information expeditiously is an advantage.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Assessment Method
Kindly note that you may, as part of the evaluation of your application for this position, be requested to undergo written knowledge-based assessment exercises, which may be followed by a competency-based interview depending on the result of the test.
Please send resume to:
Abraham Azubuike
Access and Preservation Coordinator
Dag Hammarskjold Library
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 1-212-963-3883
Email: azubuike@un.org
